Maine's Pioneering Approach to Talent Attraction

08/07/2025 30 min
Maine's Pioneering Approach to Talent Attraction

Listen "Maine's Pioneering Approach to Talent Attraction"

Episode Synopsis

What does it take to pioneer an entirely new industry? In this episode of Talent Wars, host Patience Fairbrother interviews Katie Shorey, director of engagement at Live + Work in Maine, about one of the very first employer-led talent attraction initiatives in the U.S.   Launched in 2015, when the idea of statewide talent marketing was still uncharted territory, Live + Work in Maine helped create a playbook and approach that's now used by communities across North America. Katie shares how a simple shift—from thinking of Maine as a vacation destination to a place you can build a life and career—sparked a decade of growth, experimentation and impact. From swag drops at local breweries to takeovers at the Portland airport, Katie reveals how scrappy, community-driven tactics turned into measurable ROI. Patience and Katie unpack the challenges and advantages of Maine's unique employer-led model, how the initiative balances boomerang recruitment with attracting new residents and why long-term relationship-building is the key to statewide success. If you're building a talent attraction strategy from the ground up—or wondering how to make more impact with fewer resources—this episode is a must-listen.