Where there’s a WILL… Brunswick-area chamber women’s networking events | Column
Women’s Leadership Group “WILL Power” Revived at Bath‑Brunswick‑Topsham Chamber
Brunswick, Maine – Sept. 18, 2026 – The Bath‑Brunswick‑Topsham Regional Chamber of Commerce has reignited its women‑focused network, Women In Local Leadership (WILL Power), after a pause that began with the COVID‑19 pandemic. The chamber’s executive director, Cory King, announced the group’s return and highlighted upcoming events that will run through the fall and into 2027.
WILL Power, originally launched in 2016, grew out of a simple idea: ask local business leaders what they needed and deliver on it. “It was so simple,” King recalled, “but it has served us well for two decades.” In its early days the group offered a mix of networking and education, and its founders—three business leaders from the area—co‑chaired a committee that planned speaker breakfasts, speed networking sessions, self‑defense classes and author meet‑and‑greets.
The pandemic halted all in‑person programming. King said the chamber only managed two outdoor socials, and when the pandemic ended, a gradual rebuild began. “It took a while for volunteers to get comfortable again,” King explained. “Once we had a planning committee and leadership, the group could return.”
Barb Rapoza of SERVPRO of Bath/Brunswick returned last year to co‑chair, joined by Nikki Matson of GoNetSpeed. Together with a planning committee of seven to ten local business leaders, they have shifted the group to monthly events, excluding the summer months, and the response has been “spectacular,” King noted.
Upcoming Events
September 22, 2026 – Interactive Networking Breakfast
Brunswick Hotel, 4 Noble St., Brunswick
The 7:30‑9:00 a.m. session will feature guided roundtable discussions on personal, career, and growth themes. Facilitators Anastasia LaMarca and Cary Ouellette will lead the conversation. Chamber members pay $25; non‑members $30. Tickets can be purchased online at the chamber’s event page.
October 21, 2026 – Leading With Purpose Panel
Brunswick Hotel, 4 Noble St., Brunswick
The 7:45‑10:30 a.m. panel will showcase Becky Shepherd of Wild Oats, Mandy Reynolds of Union + Co, and Katie Shorey, director of engagement at Live + Work in Maine. Nicole Matson will moderate the discussion on leadership, resilience, and community building. Tickets cost $35 for members and $40 for non‑members, with a $250 sponsorship option that includes six tickets. Registration is available online through the chamber’s website.
Chamber’s Vision
King emphasized the chamber’s commitment to connecting and supporting women leaders across the Midcoast. “We are so excited to have WILL Power back and running,” he said. “We can’t wait to see what other great programs they will have throughout the remainder of this year and into 2027.”
Members and interested parties can find more information on the chamber’s homepage at MidcoastMaine.com or by following the Bath‑Brunswick‑Topsham Regional Chamber page on social media. Sponsors for upcoming events can contact the chamber for additional details.
The Bath‑Brunswick‑Topsham Regional Chamber of Commerce is a member of the Mid‑Coast Maine Chamber network and supports local businesses through advocacy, networking, and community events.
