Rhiannon Hampson
Vice President for Economic Development, Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Co-owner/Operator at Grace Pond Farm
About Rhiannon
Rhiannon joined GMRI in March of 2025 to launch and lead the Economic Development Department as its inaugural Vice President. She brings decades of advocacy, small business ownership and community engagement experience to her work. Having been raised in some of the most rural pockets of Maine and graduating from the University of Maine, at Machias, with a B.A. in Psychology and Community Studies, Rhiannon is committed to ensuring that all voices have a place in planning the future.
Hailing from a multi-generational Navy family, Rhiannon’s commitment to be of service has taken many forms, including most recently a tenure as the presidentially appointed Maine State Director of USDA Rural Development, and as a District Representative for U.S. Congresswoman Pingree. In these roles Rhiannon worked on policy and developed programming to support Maine’s heritage industries, help mitigate the drivers and negative effects of climate change, grow the renewable energy sector, secure and fund critical infrastructure and affordable housing, among other priorities.
Believing that small farms can create big climate solutions, she co-owns a regenerative, pastured livestock and organic dairy farm in Knox County, with her husband, their two children and her mother.
