Dirigo Speaker Series
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Ideas. Stories. Perspectives.
An evening of compelling conversation with people who have something meaningful to say.
Hosted by Fryeburg Academy, this new speaker series brings inspiring leaders, authors, storytellers, and changemakers to the stage at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center.
The Dirigo Speaker Series brings together distinctive voices and curious minds for evenings of thoughtful conversation, fresh perspectives, and stories worth hearing.
Designed for an audience that values substance and intelligent conversation, the series offers an opportunity to step away from the everyday and engage with people whose experiences, accomplishments, and ideas invite us to think differently.
Each evening begins with a 6:00 PM cocktail hour, followed by the featured presentation at 7:00 PM.
2026 -27 Speaker Lineup
Matt Light
Thursday, September 24, 2026 ·
7:00 PM
Leadership. Resilience. Purpose.
Three-time Super Bowl champion Matt Light brings an insider's perspective on leadership, teamwork, perseverance, and what it takes to build something that lasts.
A former New England Patriots offensive lineman and member of the Patriots' 50th Anniversary Team, Light spent 11 seasons protecting Tom Brady's blindside. But his story extends well beyond football—from rural Ohio to the NFL, entrepreneurship, farming, philanthropy, and the outdoors.
Through the Light Foundation, he has helped thousands of young people develop leadership, accountability, discipline, and confidence.
Casey Sherman
Thursday, October 29, 2026
7:00 PM
The Stories Behind the Stories
Fryeburg Academy alumnus Casey Sherman is an award-winning author, journalist, and storyteller whose work has captivated readers and audiences around the world.
A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, and USA Today bestselling author, Sherman has written more than 20 books and made more than 200 television and radio appearances.
His work has also inspired major motion pictures, including The Finest Hours and Patriots Day.
Scott Carney
Thursday, March 25, 2027
7:00 PM
Push Beyond the Possible
Scott Carney is an investigative journalist, anthropologist, and New York Times bestselling author whose work explores the extraordinary capabilities of the human body and mind. His books and reporting have taken him from the Himalayas to the frontiers of human performance, examining resilience, adaptation, and what becomes possible when we challenge our perceived limits.
Lyn St. James
Thursday, June 3, 2027
7:00 PM
Breaking Barriers. Defining Possibility.
Lyn St. James is a pioneering race car driver, author, mentor, and motivational speaker who has spent her career challenging expectations and redefining what’s possible. A seven-time Indianapolis 500 competitor and the first woman to win the race’s Rookie of the Year award, St. James has built a legacy that extends far beyond the track—championing women in motorsports and inspiring others to pursue their ambitions with determination, resilience, and purpose.