Margaret "Peg" Olson, PhD, assisted in the establishment of Dignity First. Dr. Olson is a retired Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy from Husson University. Dr. Olson’s interest and activities in social justice ministry began early in her life through various faith organizations. Previously, she served on the Saint Patrick’s Episcopal Church’s Vestry as member and Senior Warden. Dr. Olson is Board Chair of Faith Linking In Action, an organization fighting the grass roots of the problems of the poor, and has served on the board of as a member. She is active in the Food Access Committee of Food AND Medicine, an organization focusing on ensuring people do not have to choose between food and medicine to live.

Jamie Beck is the founder of Dignity First. From an early age, Jamie was involved in leading and organizing social justice mission activities which continued through college, participating in and coordinating alternative spring break trips to serve people in poverty. Growing up in the Bangor area, she feels strongly connected to the strengths and struggles of the residents of this area, particularly people experiencing poverty. She believes in working in solidarity with unhoused people to overcome the root of houselessness: adverse childhood events compounded by profound and catastrophic loss of family.

Anna Phillips is the coordinator for the Greater Bangor Area Street Pastors, does pet sitting and house help for a few people in the Bangor area, and helps homeschool her two nephews. Her undergraduate degree was in Forensic Archaeology (a combination of chemistry and classics), and she has a graduate degree in Bible History and Geography. She is adjunct faculty at New England Bible College & Grace Evangelical Seminary for a Biblical Context class. Her hobbies include keeping backyard poultry and traveling, but mostly being still at home and reading.

Growing up in Bangor, Emilie was raised with a pride for our city and state. Her family roots of community service run deep in Bangor. Emilie has worked with the Bangor Y and served as volunteer staff for their Leaders School summer camp program for many years. While in college, she participated in numerous community service efforts including Habitat for Humanity. Emilie's professional background is extensive in marketing and customer service. She obtained her B.S. in Music Industry and Business Administration from Northeastern University. After several years as an Events Manager, she became a Marketing Specialist at a well-known Maine outdoors company. She now works as a REALTOR®️ in the Bangor market while currently serving the Greater Bangor Association of Realtors as Vice President, a member of the steering committee for the groups Young Professionals Network, chairperson for both the education and DEI committees. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, crocheting, walking and listening to podcasts. She is also a licensed Zumba Instructor. Emilie, her husband, and their children reside in Bangor.

Kim has passion for expanding the common good throughout the greater Bangor area. She avidly shows her commitment to serving her community through volunteering, board service, and even spearheading and managing a local Gifting with Gratitude group. Kim worked with local nonprofits for more than a decade prior to becoming the philanthropy officer at Northern Light where she puts her eye for financial detail to use. As a busy professional, mother, wife, and volunteer, she works hard to be a force for change to ensure everyone has the resources they need to thrive.

Joe, along with his daughter Ashlee, formed The Simpson Team with Realty of Maine in 2014. After 25 years of experience in the automobile sales and service industry, Joe changed gears and career to become a realtor. Utilizing his experience and established relationships, he continued to grow and practice building new relationships to create a successful real estate business. One of his favorite mantras is “the devil is in the details”. Whether someone is buying or selling a home or developing a supportive village, there are so many small details that need come together to create the best experience and outcomes for our neighbors.  Currently, he splits his time between Maine and his home in The Villages, Florida with his wife, Tracy and dog, Murphy. Even though he is not in Maine full-time any longer, he still enjoys connecting with the Simpson Team clients, advising the team when needed and seeing them do a fantastic job with the face to face experience. Joe enjoys volunteering with both his daughters, Ashlee and Becka, through yearly missions trips, Bangor Area Streets Pastors work, and most recently, joining the Dignity First board with a vision to create a neighborhood of tiny homes and provide opportunities for our unhoused neighbors to break the cycle of homelessness.