PORTLAND – Malinda Gagnon, CEO of Portland-based Uprise Partners, has joined the board of directors at the Mitchell Institute.
It’s a full-circle moment for Gagnon, who was a 1999 Mitchell Scholar. Growing up in Bethel, Gagnon graduated from Telstar Regional High School and went on to Bates College with the support of grant funding from the Mitchell Institute.
“I am honored to be joining the board of an Institution that had such a profound impact on my education and career path,” said Gagnon. “I know firsthand the opportunities that become available to Mitchell Scholars, and remain committed to helping Maine students thrive, despite any financial challenges they are facing. I look forward to helping to inspire the next generation to fulfill their dreams.”
Gagnon has more than 20 years of experience in business strategy and technology. She founded Uprise Partners in 2017, with the goal of helping small and medium-sized businesses streamline operations, optimize technology, and enhance cybersecurity. The company was awarded the Propel Ignition 2025 Business of the Year award in January, following recognition in 2024 as the nation’s second-fastest-growing IT services company.
Service is a focus for Gagnon both personally and professionally. She currently serves on the board of the Maine Venture Fund and is a mentor with Techstars, MassChallenge, and the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs. Additionally, she was inducted into the Truc Huynh Alumni Giving Society last year, which honors Mitchell Scholar alumni who continue the legacy of the late Truc Huynh. Huynh, a Bowdoin College graduate and dedicated philanthropist, gave back to the Mitchell Institute at a level surpassing his own scholarship award.
Gagnon, one of four new board members, has been elected to serve a three-year term to help support the nonprofit organization’s mission to provide $2 million in scholarships and programming to college-bound Maine high school seniors who will be named Mitchell Scholars in 2025.
Recognized as a top 100 Cybersecurity Provider and Tech Elite 250 Managed Services Provider in North America, Uprise Partners continues to rapidly grow its customer base annually. Founded in 2017 by technology executives from Fortune500 technology companies, Uprise Partners serves clients across the globe with a diverse approach tailoring IT and cybersecurity to meet unique business needs. For more information, visit uprisepartners.com.
