Ann Tikkanen
CEO & Executive Director
Ann brings a decades-long career in executive and financial leadership to the MDI Y. Notably, she served for twenty-two years at the YMCA of Greater Boston in a progression of senior roles, primarily as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President leading all financial matters plus the Workforce Development, IT, and HR functions. Ann also has an impressive track record of careful financial management, including delivering balanced budgets in 21 of her 22 years as CFO. She most recently worked as a non-profit consultant, and as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of the Trustees of Reservations in Boston. Ann earned her MBA from Babson College and a BS in Business Administration from Northeastern University.
Maegan Haney
Dir. of Marketing, Membership, Youth Programs & Fundraising
Maegan was born in northern Vermont and came to Maine for college on a Track & Field scholarship at The University of Maine in Orono. She earned a BS in Elementary Education and Child and Human Development and Family Relations and a MS in Instructional Technology. She was a technology integrator in the Bangor area and all over Hancock County for nine years before transitioning to teaching adults fitness rather than kids technology. She worked at MDI YMCA for six years in the Health and Wellness department before working two and a half years at The Down East Family YMCA in Marketing and fitness. She is excited to be back at The MDIY in her community. Maegan lives in the town of Mount Desert.
Brad Stager
Facilities Director
Brad comes to the MDI Y with much experience and enthusiasm to support the health, maintenance and growth of our community Y. As Facilities Director, Brad will be in charge of all of the daily needs of the facility including also overseeing new projects and improvements to our Y that are on the horizon. Brad's prior work experience comprises commercial and residential inspections, work as a realtor, including also many years of hands-on experience as an electrical technician, supporting firms with facility upgrades, energy efficiency projects, and active duty with the United States Coast Guard. Brad is well known to the community for his volunteer and church work in Bar Harbor.
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Ross Schneider
Health & Wellness
Director
Ross is an ACE certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach with more than fifteen years experience in the health and wellness field. He has worked with an array of different demographics, most recently with seniors and the elderly. An avid golfer and Frisbee player, he has also worked with golfers of all ages and middle/high school athletes as well a general population folks. When not at work, you can find him hiking with his dog Blaze, fishing, or partaking in numerous other outdoor activities. Whatever your Wellness goals may be, he can help you get there!
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Ed Lower
Aquatics Director
Ed has been in and around pools for over 35 years. Certified Pool Tech. Maine, has been certified pool operator in MD, DC, VA, SD, IA, NE and TX. Aquatic Director for an Arnold Palmer facility, supervisor for 10 summer pools for 7 years. Lesson instructor, was certified Plysical Eduation K-12 teacher in MD, SD, IA, NE, TX, co-owner of H&L Swim Academy in NC for 5 years. Has taught private lessons since High School.
National Swimming Coach of the yar- National Swimming Coaches Association; NCSA Junior Nationals Team Champion 4 times. Senior coach of the year NC Swimming, coached hundreds of age group swimmers to top 10 national rankings, several onto National Junior Team and Olympic Trials qualifiers. Coached hundreds of swimmers onto college teams in all divisions. Coached masters World record holder.
Ed lives with his beautiful and understanding wife Melissa, a NP in Southwest Harbor. Son Christian is a seaman in the Coast Guard currently in rescue swim school; and youngest son Jesse is a freshman swimming at St. Thomas University in Miami.
Jim Willis
Sharks Swim Team
Head Coach
Jim is a former Y swimmer from Brockton, MA, a four year letterman and a graduate of the University of Maine. Jim was the coach of the Bangor Y for 5 years, the Canoe City Swim Club (Old Town Y) for 9 years, and the St. Croix Dolphins coach for 3 years before moving to Bar Harbor. While in St. Croix, Jim was the National Coach for the US Virgin Islands at the 1999 Pan Am Games, 2000 Olympic Games, and 2001 World University Games. He is an ASCA Level 4 Coach and the former General Chair of Maine Swimming. Jim was the Maine Swimming Coach of the Year for both 2014 and 2015. He was inaugurated into the Brockton High School Hall of Fame in 2016.
Jennifer Britz
Race Director & Manager of Youth Activities
Jennifer grew up in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. She attended college at the University of South Carolina on an athletic scholarship to compete in Track & Field as a heptathlete while majoring in Chemistry/Biology. After years of working in the pharmaceutical field, she moved to Maine, and took time off work to raise her 3 daughters, Amelia, Cora and Caroline. Jennifer enjoys volunteering in the community and first became involved with the MDI Y as a member of the half marathon race committees. When not at the Y, you can find her running up and down the mountain trails of Acadia,hiking with her daughters, biking the carriage roads, or on another outdoor adventure.
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Cat Owens
Youth Programming Manager
Cat grew up in Metuchen, New Jersey. She graduated from UNC Asheville with degrees in Photography and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. They moved up to Bar Harbor in 2023 with their partner, Corey. They have been a camp counselor for three summers, both in New Jersey and at the MDI Y. Before coming to work at this Y, they worked as a programming assistant in an Alzheimer's and dementia unit in Asheville. They love going on hikes, cooking, and playing soccer. Feel free to email me any questions or concerns about our afterschool program or any of our clubs!
Zach Lanning
Membership & Marketing Coordinator
Originally from Montclair, New Jersey, Zach has spent the last two years living in the Ellsworth area and loving every second of it. After graduating from the College of the Holy Cross with an English degree Zach began his career in Journalism as a producer for a nightly news broadcast. Shortly after moving Down East, Zach got a job covering local politics and then sports for the Ellsworth American and Mount Desert Islander. He then made the jump to marketing and membership at the Y after spending a few weekends covering the front desk. Though his playing days are behind him, Zach is constantly striving to stay in rugby shape, so make sure to ask him what the heck that sport is even about if you see him.