FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2025

Secretary Bellows Appoints Dr. Lelia De Andrade as Deputy Secretary for Community Relations

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Deputy Secretary of State for Community Relations Dr. Lelia De Andrade

Augusta — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows appointed Dr. Lelia De Andrade as Deputy Secretary of State for Community Relations effective January 6, 2025. De Andrade is the first Cape Verdean American to serve as a Deputy Secretary in the Department’s history.

In this role, she is responsible for strengthening relationships with community groups and other stakeholders. She represents the Department at community meetings and leads public education and outreach efforts to explain department services to the broader public. This year, she will particularly focus on gathering input and gaining insights into ways we can modernize technologies and processes to improve customer experience. Dr. De Andrade also serves as the Department’s Small Business Advocate and Wabanaki Tribal Liaison.

“I am thrilled to have Dr. De Andrade step up to spearhead community relations on behalf of the Department of Secretary of State.  With her extraordinary outreach skills and years of experience building community connections, Dr. De Andrade will help the Department strengthen our customer service to better serve the people of Maine,” said Bellows. “Her position will further broaden transparency and communication between our Department and all Mainers.”

Dr. De Andrade holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Syracuse University. Prior to her service with the Secretary of State she was a nonprofit leader with management and outreach roles at the Maine Community Foundation and the Center for Preventing Hate. 

“I’ve spent more than 20 years working with a broad range of communities and organizations around Maine, focused on building relationships and helping people get access to resources,” said De Andrade. “To do it as part of this department is especially exciting, because the resources and services we provide are so critical for people to participate in nearly every aspect of life in Maine.”  

The Department of the Secretary of State includes three bureaus: The Maine State Archives, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions.

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