CEI Staff

Our dedicated team committed to serving you

Back
CEI Human Resources
she/her

Colleen Ippolito

SVP, Human Resources and Office Administration

About Colleen

Colleen Ippolito is the SVP of HR and Office Administration at Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), a Maine-based community development financial institution with a mission to build just, vibrant and climate-resilient futures for people and communities in Maine and rural regions by integrating finance, business expertise and policy solutions in ways that make the economy work more equitably. She is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), the HR Association of Southern Maine (HRASM), and OFN’s CDFI Women’s Networking group.

As CEI’s SVP of HR and Office Administration, Colleen is responsible for the implementation, management, and administration of human resource programs and policies and all aspects of employee recruitment, retention, performance and talent development, benefits, employment law compliance, and employee relations for CEI and its subsidiaries. Colleen and her team align HR practices, policies, and initiatives to support CEI’s mission, values and strategic objectives. Colleen also serves as CEI’s corporate secretary, supporting the CEO and Board of Directors with Board governance matters.

Prior to working at CEI, Colleen held human resources management roles in the private sector including community banking, commercial law, newspaper and digital media, and the ski industry. Colleen’s first career after college and prior to HR was as a high school science teacher.

Education:

  • Bates College
    • B.A., Biology
  • University of Maine at Farmington
    • Secondary Education certification
  • SHRM-Certified Professional certification
  • PHR certification – HR Certification Institute
  • Leadership Maine – Baskahegan
Get To Know Colleen
What was your first job?

Mowing lawns when I was 13 years old

If you had unlimited resources, where would you travel to?

All regions of Italy

What is something you dislike, but wish you loved?

Snakes terrify me, but they are fascinating animals to observe– from a distance.

image of A Slice of Local Love: Two Fat Cats Bakery

A Slice of Local Love: Two Fat Cats Bakery

"Two Fat Cats Bakery has been delighting Portland, Maine with scratch-made sweets since 2005. Using premium ingredients like local eggs, wild Maine blueberries,…"

image of Coelle Travel

Coelle Travel

"Coelle Travel is an international travel startup based in Wabanaki/Maine, owned by an indigenous immigrant woman, Khadija El Barkaoui, with roots in Amazigh/Morocco.…"

image of A Dream Realized: Kasha's Journey to Creating a Successful Home Child Care Program 

A Dream Realized: Kasha's Journey to Creating a Successful Home Child Care Program 

"In the wake of personal loss and an empty nest, Kasha Haggarty found her calling – establishing a unique home-based child care program.…"