About Marpheen Chann

A longtime Portland resident, Marpheen Chann is a nonprofit executive, author, and community leader. 

As a former Portland Planning Board member, Marpheen helped lead the ReCode process, Portland’s first comprehensive rewrite of its land use code and zoning map in more than 50 years. He also served as an elected At-Large Charter Commissioner from 2021 to 2022, where he was recognized as a thoughtful consensus builder and steady voice of reason.

Marpheen now works full-time as the founder and executive director of a community-based nonprofit, where he oversees strategic planning, community engagement, and develops and manages the organization's budget.

He holds degrees from the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine School of Law, and he earned an Executive Certificate in Public Policy through the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

His leadership has been widely recognized. Equality Maine named him one of “35 LGBTQ+ Mainers who are actively working to make Maine a better place to live, work, and learn,” and MaineBiz honored him as a 40 Under 40 in 2022.

Experience

  • Executive Director with budget development and management skills

  • Elected At-Large Charter Commissioner (2021-2022)

  • 5 years on Portland Planning Board working with complex land use and urban planning issues

Education

  • Executive Certificate in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government

  • J.D. from University of Maine School of Law

  • B.A. in Political Science from USM