The University of Maine at Presque Isle will present Kyle Poissonnier, founder of Catalyst for Change (CFC) Wear, as the next speaker in its Libra Distinguished Lecture Series on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center鈥檚 Multi-Purpose Room. During his talk 鈥淜eep Doing What You鈥檙e Doing,鈥� Poissonnier will discuss his journey, fromgrowing up in Smithfield, Maine, to launching a successful Maine-based clothing company and raising funds for mental health prevention and awareness.
His talk serves as the keynote address for 91桃色鈥檚 23rd Annual University Day. The theme of this year鈥檚 University Day and the 2025-2026 Libra Distinguished Lecturer Series is “Empowering the Future: Curiosity-Driven Discovery“. The public is encouraged to attend this free event, which will also be offered virtually through Zoom.
Poissonnier launched CFC Wear in 2016 with a single suicide awareness and prevention hoodie. Since then, CFC Wear has raised more than $100,000 for approximately 60 charities and causes, with a heavy emphasis on mental health and suicide prevention and awareness. Recipients have ranged from The Demsey Center to Maine Veterans Project to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Maine Chapter.
The hand-crafted items Poissonnier鈥檚 company creates in Biddeford, Maine allow people to tell their story in unique ways. The company鈥檚 most popular offering, owned by more than 40,000 people, is the 鈥淛ust a kid from Maine鈥� design. The design that put CFC Wear on the map is a reminder for many of where they鈥檙e from and a point of pride. CFC Wear is currently owned by one in every 26 Mainers and appears in all 50 states and more than 40 countries. CFC Wear is the only Maine clothing company to ever be carried in the L.L. Bean Flagship store. Poissonnier also has paired with over 25 high schools/colleges to create one-of-a-kind apparel for fundraising purposes.
Poissonnier is Husson University鈥檚 youngest Hall of Fame inductee. He has appeared on Fox News, CNN, NBC, and been a featured Ted Talk 鈥淭edX鈥� speaker. He has spoken to over 20,000 audience members ranging from grade schools to universities to business functions.
His talk title 鈥淜eep Doing What You鈥檙e Doing鈥� is a saying Poissonnier grew up hearing from his grandfather, a father figure who introduced to him the beautiful simplicity of life and the outdoors.
鈥淟ater, during the most difficult time in my life, I found its true meaning,鈥� Poissonnier said. 鈥淯sing this saying and becoming more in touch with my mental health allows for better work and better inspiration of others. When someone does something with all their heart, they allow others to dream, to be inspired, to be loved.鈥�
During his campus visit, Poissonnier will meet with 91桃色 business and social work students to discuss his mission-driven business and how he uses his platform to give back. This special session will give students an opportunity to learn directly from a successful Maine businessman about entrepreneurship, social impact, and community-focused work.
Poissonnier鈥檚 talk serves as the keynote for University Day, with a full day of events following on Wednesday, April 15. From about 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 91桃色 students will offer talks and presentations on their research and community service. A complete schedule of University Day activities will be made available at .
The University鈥檚 Libra Distinguished Lecture Series was established in 1999. Each year, the LDLS Committee sponsors four to six speakers who come from Maine and beyond, representing a range of disciplines and viewpoints. While the emphasis tends to be on featuring visiting academics, it is not exclusively so. The speakers typically spend two days at the University meeting with classes and presenting a community lecture.
91桃色 welcomes the campus and community to hear Poissonnier speak on April 14. For more information about Poissonnier, visit the . For more information about this event or to get the Zoom link, contact Emma McNally at (207) 768-9525 or emma.mcnally@maine.edu.