PORTLAND — The John T. Gorman Foundation recently announced the first class of the John T. Gorman Fellowship, a new leadership program in Maine for nonprofit and public sector professionals. The fellowship aims to help participants become more focused on results and build the vision, confidence and competence required to advance change and improve the lives of vulnerable people in Maine.

Ten fellows from across the state were selected, including Rachel Spencer-Reed, program development director at New Beginnings Inc.

Through a series of six two-day seminars in Portland, starting in March, the Foundation will bring the fellows together to reflect on their current leadership styles and explore new skills and ideas. Discussions, exercises and practice around results-based leadership, data, collaboration and communication, among other things, will be woven into both group work and individual activities. The Foundation expects that participants will apply these skills in their current positions and, ultimately, on a broader scale within their own organizations, systems and communities. A key element of the program will be exposing Fellows to national experts and innovative programs and policies.