Dacoda Maddalone joined the MIRC team September 2022 as the Lead of Programs and Community Engagement. She works closely with the Program Manager and ethnic-based organizations to uphold systems supporting and housing immigrants experiencing homelessness.

In her role, she also works directly with MIRC members, community-based organizations, private businesses, and state and municipal bodies to run programs that meet the emerging needs of New Mainers.

Dacoda has worked in project management and executive assistance for various nonprofit and for-profit entities for most of her professional career. She pursued college degrees in both public communications and leadership, spending 2 years of her studies living overseas in Sydney, Australia. During her time at an international college, she was exposed to a student body that represented 70+ nations. She says that this experience brought the realization of her passion for the cultural representation and equality of all people groups. She is currently studying the Portuguese language in hopes to better communicate with some of her new neighbors here in Maine.

After coordinating the operations of a temporary emergency shelter for asylum-seekers in South Portland in May, Dacoda got connected with the team at MIRC and transitioned into full-time work with us a few months later.

Raised in New York, Dacoda settled in Maine in 2020 and is a big fan of our coastline and trails. She describes herself as a “student of the world” and is committed to lifelong learning and travel.