MANP Connects: Perspectives from Leaders of Color in Maine’s Nonprofit Sector

About the Panelists

Zoe Sahloul is the Founder and Executive Director of the New England Arab American Organization (NEAAO), a Maine-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting the health, well-being, and successful integration of immigrant and refugee communities. Since founding NEAAO in 2015, Zoe has led the organization’s growth into a trusted community hub offering programs in health access, youth leadership, women’s empowerment, and cultural connection. 

Originally from Lebanon, Zoe brings both lived experience and over a decade of nonprofit leadership to her work. She is widely recognized as a trusted community leader, with many families turning to her for guidance as they navigate parenting, education systems, and life in a new country. 

Zoe is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work and is passionate about building bridges across cultures and creating spaces where all communities feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Jon Solomon serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Border Towns, where he leads strategic efforts to expand opportunities and improve outcomes for youth across the Maliseet, Mi'kmaq, Sipayik, and Penobscot Nation communities in northern Maine. Since stepping into the role in November 2023, Jon has focused on strengthening community partnerships, increasing access to high-quality programming, and ensuring culturally responsive youth development.

Jon holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies from Southern New Hampshire University.

Prior to his current role, Jon spent 20 years serving youth through educational administration, youth programming, and athletic leadership. During that time, he served as an Athletic Director, Unit Director, and head coach, developing programs, mentoring student-athletes, and strengthening school and community engagement. He also earned his Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) certification and maintained CPR and First Aid certifications, demonstrating his commitment to professional excellence and student safety.

Jon is deeply committed to building strong community partnerships, advancing youth development, and creating meaningful pathways for young people to succeed.

Nuna Gleason is the Founder and Executive Director of Wounded Healers International and Kivulini yoga studio in South Portland, Maine. Nuna is an activist, healer, and teacher of yoga and self-defense who brings people together across their experiences to grow, heal, and celebrate themselves and one another. 

In Kenya, Wounded Healers International runs a crisis line and shelter called the City of Peace for young women impacted by sexual violence while transforming communities through education and leadership for social change. In Maine, the Maine Afro Yoga Project creates inclusive, culturally grounded spaces where people, especially immigrants and communities of color, can experience the healing power of movement, mindfulness, and connection. 

Through Nuna Cultural Consulting, Nuna works with organizations and nonprofits, supporting them in strengthening cultural awareness and responsiveness. Her work is especially centered on immigrant communities in Maine, helping organizations identify and bridge gaps in cultural diversity so that individuals and communities feel genuinely seen, understood, and included.

Nuna's passion is to disrupt systems of oppression and support survivors of sexual violence. She believes every survivor should feel seen, heard, respected, and inspired to become their hero. She also believes everyone has something to offer the world and a role in improving it.