ACLU of Maine names new executive director [Video]

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine has hired a new executive director.

Molly Curren Rowles, who previously served as the executive director of the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, will lead the ACLU starting May 13.

Robert Kelley, president of the ACLU of Maine board, said Curren Rowles brings “unique experience in nonprofit management from various areas of public interest, including religious liberty, housing access, refugee resettlement, and domestic violence advocacy.”

“I am thrilled that after an exhaustive search, we found the best candidate right here in Maine,” he said in a statement. “Molly’s diverse experience in advocacy and law will continue and strengthen the ACLU’s tradition of leading the fight to extend the promises of our Constitution to all people in Maine.”

Curren Rowles will replace Arthur Padilla, who took over the post in November 2022.

During her time at the Jewish Community Alliance, Curren Rowles developed new programs, grew the agency’s capacity and collaborated with HIAS to build a refugee …