Leadership Maine offers participants a truly unique statewide learning experience, designed to build a pool of talented leaders to shape our state's future. Participants learn first hand about the critical issues facing our state through an intensive behind-the-scenes program that provides access to the key community and business leaders. Former State Economist and current President of the Maine Development Foundation, Laurie Lachance, who has been analyzing and forecasting Maine's economic performance for 25 years, shares her perspective on the current economic downturn, how it compares to other recessionary periods, and what we need to do, as leaders and as a state, to position ourselves to survive the current situation and to thrive in the longer term.