Dottie Chalmers Cutter, owner and chief operations officer of Chalmers Insurance Group in Bridgton, has been named one of the six recipients of the 2026 Outstanding Women in Business, who were featured in the Aug. 10 edition of Mainebiz.
This award honors leaders who have made a lasting impact in their industries, communities, and the state’s economy. Formerly known as “Women to Watch,” the Outstanding Women in Business program tweaks the formula a bit, allowing for more leeway in the roles played in business and offering recognition to individuals who don’t fit into the traditional CEO or executive director roles.
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