Moose Ridge Associates

Betsy is the founder and Principal of Moose Ridge Associates, one of Maine's leading progressive lobbying firms since 1990, specializing in governmental affairs, lobbying and grassroots advocacy.  A legislative advocate at the State House for thirty years, Sweet has developed and implemented strategy and legislation for many non-profit social service and environmental clients. She can list hundreds of pieces of successful legislation to her credit.  She is also known around the statehouse as one of the most effective advocates and experts on the state budget and funding services for Maine people who need them.  Additional benchmarks include founder of the Dirigo Alliance, founding member of the Maine Council on Economic Priorities, founder of the Women's Legislative Agenda Coalition, and "Maine Can Do Better".   She was the former Director of the Maine Women's Lobby and the Maine Commission for Women. Betsy managed a successful Congressional campaign in 1990 and has assisted in numerous legislative races and electoral campaigns. She worked as a lobbyist in Washington for national women's organization from 1978 through 1983. Off session, Sweet serves as a hate crime and sexual harassment prevention trainer, facilitator and organizational development consultant.  Recently, she got her Master's Degree in Spiritual Psychology and Energy Healing at the University of Santa Monica and has a healing practice and consulting business.   She is the mother of 3 spectacular teenage daughters whom she lives with in Hallowell, Maine.  

Beth joined the Moose Ridge team as an associate during the 123rd session. Beth focuses on environmental issues and sexual assault policy. Beth has a BA in Environmental Studies and is a graduate of the University of Maine Law School. After law school Beth was hired in the District Attorney’s office specializing in domestic violence and sexual assault prosecution, working in the Portland, Bath and Lewiston courts. She was Maine Audubon Society’s staff attorney from 1991 – 1996 . During that time she helped fund conservation programs with the introduction of the Loon License Plate and the Wildlife scratch ticket. Between 2000 and 2006 she was a Guardian Ad Litem, representing the best interests of children in child protective and divorce cases.

Melissa Boyd has over fifteen years experience in non-profit management, advocacy and education and policy development. Melissa’s most recent position was as the Statewide Coordinator for the Maine Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse where she organized a wide range of voices to advocate best practice prevention policies. Appointed by Governor John Baldacci, she served as a Commissioner for the Maine Commission for Community Service where she chaired the public policy committee. As an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow she was instrumental in bringing General Colin Powell to Maine and helped launch “Giving Maine’s Promise” on WGME Channel 13. When she was Director of USM Recycles she co-chaired the Mayor’s Task Force to set up curbside and pay-per-bag recycling for the city of Portland, Maine. Melissa holds a BA in Communications from the University of Southern Maine and a Master’s in Public Policy and Management from USM’s Muskie School of Public Service.