LYNNE KAPLINSKY, MD - FOUNDER, BOARD PRESIDENT

Ophthalmologist, Mid Coast Vision Care

Lynne moved to Maine over 25 years ago to start her family, her career, and her community involvement. In 2017, she founded Sundog Outdoor Leadership Initiative (formerly Midcoast Outdoor Leadership Initiative) with the vision of providing after school programs that get kids outside, learning and practicing new skills, and being challenged to build the social and emotional resiliency needed to successfully navigate the teenage years.

Lynne is a fellowship trained board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in the medical and surgical management of glaucoma and cataracts. She has served as a board member of The Megunticook Watershed Association, Fivetowns Babe Ruth, Adas Yoshuron Synagogue and The Children’s House Montessori school where she was board chair for a number of years.

In her spare time, you can find Lynne outside running, hiking, skiing, playing tennis and spending time with her four adult children and dog, Opal.

DIANE STERNBERG - BOARD MEMBER

Director of Trekkers Training Institute, Trekkers

A desire to explore Maine's coastal communities brought Diane here over 15 years ago and she has been living and working in midcoast ever since. She is passionate about experiential education and has facilitated programs for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, Ocean Classroom Foundation, Cornerspring Montessori School and the Sail, Power and Steam Museum. She truly believes that wilderness experiences provide an unparalleled platform for self-discovery. She is thrilled to join the Sundog Team and promote empowering opportunities for middle schoolers in the midcoast area. Diane loves adventuring outdoors, watching the moonrise and swimming in cold water.

ANDREW MARSHALL - BOARD MEMBER

Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, Colby College

Andrew is an educator, adventurer, farmer, father, coach, and lover of Icelandic shorebirds. He teaches biology and environmental science at Colby College, operates Dorolenna Farm with his family, and is a certified climbing guide. He has dwelled in and amongst the woods, fields, mountains, and streams of midcoast Maine for the better part of his adult life. He is thrilled to serve this wonderful organization both in the field and on the board.

ERIN JACKSON - BOARD MEMBER

Marketing Project Manager, Distant Journeys

Erin grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts and has built a career in business development, marketing, and outdoor education—basically, finding creative ways to help people get outside. A former captain of the UNH women’s soccer team, she learned firsthand that teamwork, mentorship, and well-placed snacks can make or break any adventure. After falling for Midcoast Maine (and its crab rolls) on a sailing trip, she moved there in 2016 and has since helped launch outdoor programs and grow adventure initiatives statewide. Now, she spends her time promoting guided and self-guided hiking trips around the world for Distant Journeys while tackling a master’s in project management at Northeastern University’s Roux Institute.

She lives in Camden with her husband, Owen, their sweet pup, Tuukka, and their son, who isalready showing signs of being down to adventure. Erin is excited to support Sundog’s mission and help more people get outside, move their bodies, and embrace explorations near and far.

ELLEN REYNOLDS - BOARD MEMBER

Owner/Operator, Drift Oceanside Inn

Ellen holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science with a focus in Marine Ecology from the University of North Carolina, and a Master’s degree in International Logistics Management from Maine Maritime Academy. She is a nationally certified fisheries biologist through the National Marine Fisheries Service, and spent much of her work history in the fishing industries of the North Pacific, North Atlantic, Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. Ellen served as a teacher, board member, and ultimately Director of Children’s House Montessori School, contributing heavily to the development of their outdoor education curriculums. She is the owner and operator of Drift Oceanside Inn in Camden with her husband, Casey, and is raising her two sons here in Midcoast Maine.

KRISTEN WINTERS, LCPC - BOARD MEMBER

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Kristen Winters is a LCPC with 15+ years of therapeutic experience working with adults, adolescents and their families. She currently has a private practice in Camden and also provides school-based therapeutic services for CRES and CRMS. She serves on the Five Towns Little League Board and previously served for three years on the Board of Directors at Children’s House Montessori School.

A native Floridian, Kristen spent summer and winter vacations with her family in Rockport, Maine. After college, she made her way back north, reconnecting with her love for the midcoast region, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and rescue dog.

STEPHEN HAND - BOARD MEMBER

Outdoor Programs Director, Maine Sport Outfitters

Owner/Operator, Flood Tide Outfitters

Stephen is a born and raised Midcoast local, graduating from Camden Hills in 2013. Stephen is a Registered Maine Guide, holding his Master Recreational Guide license, along with his Sea Kayaking, Fishing, Tidewater Fishing and Hunting licenses. Stephen is also a Coast Guard Certified Captain and a Wilderness First Responder. Stephen enjoys getting people outdoors and creating lasting memories in all aspects of the outdoors in Maine. Along with managing the rental and program operations at Maine Sport Outfitters, he owns a hunting and fishing guiding business. Stephen also serves on the advisory boards for both the Outdoor Leadership Programs at MCST and Washington County Community College.

Along with his hunting and fishing obsessions, he is an avid hockey player. Stephen now resides in Montville with his wife Ellie, their dog Pepper, and two sheep Emma and Eloise.

STAFF

KIENAN BROWN - PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Program Director, Sundog Outdoor Leadership Initiative

Kienan grew up in the Midcoast where he fell in love with the outdoors from a young age. After graduating from St. Lawrence University with a Bachelor’s of Science, he moved to Colorado where he was a backpacking and ski touring instructor for High Mountain Institute, a youth ski instructor at Copper Mountain, and a professional custom boot fitter for Powder7, a ski company in Golden, CO. Having recently moved back to Maine, Kienan is excited to be a part of the Sundog team and grateful to have the opportunity to help kids in the Midcoast get outside, off screens, and into all that our outdoor spaces have to offer. In his spare time, you can find him skiing, hiking, camping, or spending time outside with his partner Adeline and rescue dog, Auggie.