Youth Advocate Megan Taft Leads Rural Youth Institute into a New Era
Youth Advocate Megan Taft Leads Rural Youth Institute into a New Era [Maine] – In rural communities across Maine and beyond, young people often face unique challenges in accessing the resources and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential. The newly launched Rural Youth Institute (RYI) is poised to address these challenges head-on, and with Megan Taft as its first Executive Director, the organization is ready to lead a new era of innovative and impactful youth development. Building on the success of the Aspirations Incubator, an immersive learning lab that has raised aspirations for over 500 rural youth, RYI will expand the youth mentoring model to new sites while advancing advocacy, research, and professional training. Currently, nine communities across Maine are implementing the Aspirations Incubator model, with two more in the planning phase. RYI’s approach integrates four areas of expertise—immersive learning, research, advocacy, and training—into a dynamic feedback loop that strengthens its mission and ensures sustainable, community-centered impact for rural youth.
Megan brings a wealth of experience to this leadership role. As the creator of KW Leads, an Aspirations Incubator model at Kieve-Wavus Education, she has firsthand knowledge of the strategies that work best to support rural youth. Her background includes senior leadership roles focused on equity and inclusion, program design, and advocacy, most recently as Vice President of Equity and Impact at Good Shepherd Food Bank. Megan’s career has been defined by her ability to inspire transformational change for young people and the communities that support them.
“Megan is exactly the leader we envisioned for the Rural Youth Institute,” said Don Carpenter, Board Chair of RYI. “Her proven track record of creating impactful programs, her deepunderstanding of the Aspirations Incubator model, and her dedication to equity and opportunity make her the perfect choice to guide RYI in this exciting new chapter. We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her.”
Reflecting on her new role, Megan said, “I am honored and energized to step into this leadership role as we officially launch the Rural Youth Institute. Having been connected to the foundational work that led to RYI’s creation over the past six years, I have been deeply inspired by its commitment to centering the voices and experiences of young people while remaining deeply rooted in community. I look forward to working alongside RYI’s partners to grow its impact and nurture a bright and hopeful future for youth across rural communities.” RYI’s mission is to empower youth-serving organizations with the tools and resources to support young people in rural areas. By scaling the Aspirations Incubator model, training the next generation of youth development professionals in evidence-based practice, advancing policies that support youth, and building research-practice partnerships with institutions like the University of Maine, RYI is committed to helping rural youth thrive.
Ryder Scott, Executive Director of the University of Maine 4-H Centers and Aspirations Incubator partner, expressed his excitement about RYI's future with Megan at the helm. “Having seen Meg’s work firsthand, I am confident in her ability to create meaningful opportunities for young people in rural Maine and beyond. Her leadership of the Rural Youth Institute is an incredible step forward for youth development in our state.”
To learn more about how RYI is transforming rural youth development or to support its mission, visit Rural youth Institute and Aspirations Incubator or follow on Instagram.
About the Rural Youth Institute (RYI):
The Rural Youth Institute is dedicated to strengthening rural communities by promoting innovative, evidence-based youth development strategies. RYI focuses on immersive learning, research, advocacy, and training to empower youth-serving organizations and ensure young people in rural areas have the support they need to thrive.
