Our Team

A non-profit, Maine MILL is led by a passionate team of dedicated community members and staff.

Clayton Bessire

Collections Manager

Clayton Bessire is Maine MILL’s Collections Manager. In this role, they are responsible for assessing and updating a comprehensive inventory of the collection, migrating the collection data to a cloud-based collections management system, and planning and coordinating the move of the collection to Maine MILL’s new facility. They hold a B.A. from Colorado College, having majored in Francophone Studies with a minor in museum studies. Clayton is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Archives Management from Simmons University. 

Sadie Bonang

Operations and Development Manager

Sadie Bonang is the Operations and Development Manager at Maine MILL. Born and raised in Lewiston-Auburn, she brings a passion to this role alongside nearly a decade of experience helping nonprofit organizations connect communities with stories, learning, and meaningful experiences. Her career has spanned across museums, libraries, and public media where she has led projects in operations, visitor engagement, education, volunteer management, fundraising, and community outreach. Sadie holds a B.A. in Media Studies with a minor in Art History from Emerson College and lives in New Auburn. When she’s not at Maine MILL, you can find her making her own rugs and textiles or exploring the serene trails and waterways of Androscoggin County.  

Rachel Ferrante

Executive Director

Rachel Ferrante has been the executive director of Maine MILL since 2021. She oversees all aspects of the museum, including exhibitions and programming, fundraising, finance and operations, communications and board development. Rachel led the institution’s rebranding from Museum L-A to Maine MILL, expanded its digital presence and directed the $15 million capital campaign to build the museum’s new permanent home. Prior to this role, she spent eleven years at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York rising from an assistant in the director’s office, to the marketing manager, and finally launching and overseeing the touring exhibition program. Rachel is a graduate of Bates College with a B.A. in art and visual culture and minor in rhetoric. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business. She and her husband have two young sons.

Mary Kate MacVicar

Robin Chiarello Educator

Mary Kate MacVicar is the Robin Chiarello Educator for Maine MILL. With over 22 years of experience working as a teacher and school librarian, she joined Maine MILL’s staff in January 2022. She is responsible for public programming for learners of all ages and abilities and the creation of museum educational materials. She holds a B.A. in History from Susquehanna University and a M.S. in Library and Information Science from The Catholic University of America. Mary Kate lives in New Gloucester with her husband and children.

Justin Millet

Visitor Experience Associate

Justin Millet is the Visitor Experience Associate at Maine MILL. He brings eight years of experience leading tours across three historic institutions. Justin first joined Maine MILL as a volunteer in spring 2022 and now serves on staff, where he conducts weekend museum tours and supports a wide range of museum programs and events. He holds a B.A. in History with a minor in Anthropology from Montclair State University and currently lives in Lewiston.

Long-Time Volunteers

Jeanine Arey
Rich Byard
Tom Jarvis