Meet Our Board
Sharon Cowen (Board Chairperson) lives in Bedford, NH with her husband Larry, and is a member of Bedford Presbyterian Church. She moved to Bedford in 1998 from Cincinnati after growing up and attending college in Columbus, Ohio. Sharon retired from University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension in 2018 after 15 years as Field Specialist in Community Development and adult educator in parenting and financial education. Previously she worked in market research. Sharon participated in several recovery teams with BPC after hurricanes in New Orleans and Puerto Rico and believes strongly in MATE’s focus on supporting the housing needs of individuals, families and communities.
Alan Dossett (Board Vice-Chairperson & Treasurer) has been a part of MATE work groups from the Presbyterian Church in Sudbury (MA) for about 30 years. Over that time, Alan gained a lot of skills and tools, but more importantly he realized how relationships with home owners are the real basis for mission work. The work of MATE can transform lives for the workers and the home owners.
Alan grew up in Southern California and moved to the Boston area after college where he worked in technology and then financial services companies. Alan is a financial planner and lives with his wife Jane and two dogs in Milford, MA. Alan roasts coffee and brews beer in his spare time.
Steve Allman (Board Secretary), began his service as pastor at Leeds Community Church in March, 2019, and joined MATE’s board in 2020. Prior to coming to Maine he served churches in West Virginia, New York, and South Dakota. Currently Steve is working on a Doctor of Ministry degree. He’s originally from Pennsylvania and worked as a journalist, salesperson and educator before entering the ministry. He’s proud to be part of guiding MATE through its transition to being a nonprofit. Focuses include helping MATE maintain contact and partnership with the congregations that have long supported MATE’s mission.
Emily Ladd Rackliffe is a Parent Engagement Specialist and Visitation Supervisor at the Franklin County Children’s Task Force. She has a BS degree in Early Childhood Education, a credential in Infant Toddler Caregiving and much additional education in Social Work and Special Education. She has spent her professional career working with children and families in Greater Franklin County through Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Protective Services, and Child Abuse Prevention programs. She has deep roots in the Fairbanks Community and remains committed to doing all she can to support this community. She is a Mother to two very busy little boys. They spend time enjoying family, playing outdoors and relaxing with their pug Jake.
Kobi Chase is the Systems Coordinator at Maine Children’s Trust. She has a BS in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from UMF and a Master’s in Education from New England University. She had been an elementary school teacher for many years before joining the Community Action’s fight against poverty, first at Community Concepts and now at WMCA. Through this work, she has seen the unmet needs in our area and believes in MATE’s mission of supporting our most vulnerable community members.
Kobi grew up in Maine and raised her own family here. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running, skiing, and any other outdoor activity.
Michael Malek has spent his life as a restaurant food service manager and independent consultant specializing in expansion, renovation, and program development, with a passionate avocation in building. He grew up in New Hampshire and Maine. He and his wife, Pam, live in New Vineyard, Maine during the summer and outside Chapel Hill, North Carolina the rest of the year. If you were part of a MATE service trip during the summer of 2023, you may ran into Michael who work as a special season-long volunteer conducting a variety of activities, including serving as a Site Supervisor.
Kat Zimmermann has been a part of the MATE community since coming on a recovery trip with her Youth Group in 2016. Over the years it became clear to her that she wanted to help MATE in its mission to engage more youth; she joined the board in 2024.Kat is a New Hampshire native, but in the last few years has lived in many places including Germany, Ireland, and NYC. She is currently a student at Columbia University studying Political Science and she intends to pursue a career in Consulting or International Relations. Among many other activities, Kat loves her role as VP of Student Council, likes to take walks with her dog, and enjoys trying new flavors of tea.