About Us
Our Story
TogetHER Invested is 100% volunteer-run. Eight women professionals in law, finance and family matters are dedicated to our cause. First organized as the Maine Divorce Workshop (MDW), a grassroots effort to provide a safe, inviting sit-down for women to learn how to prepare for divorce legally, financially, and emotionally, we sensed the need for a more comprehensive approach to financial literacy. TogetHER Invested was established as a 501(c)(3) in 2021 to broaden our offerings beyond divorce education.
Our monthly MDW workshop continues to provide valuable knowledge and to “give permission” for women to empower themselves through this transition in their lives. Our newer offerings cover money taboos, healthy financial habits, and Finance 101 topics. Our welcoming format builds connections between women in our communities.
Our Future
Over the years our workshops have been held at professional offices, community rooms, and even in a barn in Harpswell! Our enthusiastic response now demands a larger space to serve more attendees. The goal on our horizon is to establish a women’s center in the Midcoast area to serve as a venue for our events and workshops.
Meet the Team
Allison Bishop
Allison Bishop
Allison Bishop is a personal finance coach, and has been a CPA for over twenty years. Twelve years of preparing personal tax returns helped her recognize her passion for personal finance and helping people make wise and thoughtful financial decisions. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Allison shares her expertise and tax-saving tips about divorce in the Maine Divorce Workshop that she co-founded back in 2017. Allison’s commitment to running the divorce workshop is immeasurable. Her mission is to assist her clients in aligning their financial decisions with their values and to provide a friendly, confidential and non-judgmental environment in which they feel comfortable discussing their personal finances.
Alison Thompson
Alison Thompson
Alison Thompson is an alumna of the University of Maine School of Law, and has began practicing family law with a small firm in downtown Portland in 2013. With an undergraduate degree in Family Studies and a concentration in child advocacy, Alison felt called to her field from an early age. One of her deeply held beliefs is in the power of knowledge to dispel the fear of the unknown; having worked with many divorce cases, Alison sees firsthand the benefits of outreach and education on the subject of divorce. She enjoys building a rapport with her clients, and using her knowledge to support the child’s perspective through the process. Alison currently resides in Cape Elizabeth with her husband and dog, Bailey.
Cecilia Guecia
Cecilia Guecia
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Cecilia Guecia left the south to attend college at Wesleyan University. Although she intended to major in theatre, after taking a class in historiography, Cecilia fell in love with the concept that truth is found in the reasons we tell stories, and not necessarily in the stories we tell. After college, Cecilia worked as an actress and participated in the AmeriCorps literacy program before attending the University of Maine School of Law. She now owns her own practice with her partner, Fred Bopp, in Yarmouth, Maine. Cecilia knows what it means to be seen and heard, and aims to provide that to all her clients. As an attorney, Cecilia truly has a “Main Street practice,” where she handles all sorts of legal matters. Her practice is intimate, efficient, trauma-informed, and highly skilled. She has served as the legislative liaison for the Family Law section of the Maine Bar, volunteered with Maine Attorneys Saving Homes, and was recently appointed to the Town of Yarmouth Affordable Housing Committee. One of Cecilia’s greatest joys is her role as a presenter for the Maine Divorce Workshop, where she strives to help women make sense of the disorienting events surrounding divorce.
Erin Chenard
Erin Chenard
Erin Chenard is a client relationship manager for a small independent financial advisor firm in Midcoast Maine and artist faculty at the University of Maine at Augusta. Erin holds a Master’s in Music Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College, a BM in Performance from USM, and Series 6 & 7 securities licenses. Erin has progressed in parallel professions alongside teaching and performing throughout her career as a musician. In her current role, Erin sees firsthand the difference in perspective that knowledge of the finance industry can bring to inherited money mindsets. As a founding member of Together Invested, Erin hopes to assist others in growing their financial literacy skills and identifying their own ingrained beliefs about money.
Lisa Dunning
Lisa Dunning
Lisa has over 30 years of banking and mortgage experience, and recognizes the importance of staying up to date with all mortgage loan programs and products, to provide excellent service to her clients. Lisa enjoys working with borrowers and analyzing their mortgage needs. Whether working with first-time home buyers, helping her clients refinance or build a new home, she takes the time to explain the process and is very responsive to their questions. As a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP), Lisa brings financial knowledge and understanding to help borrowers navigate home refinance or purchase ownership options with sensitivity and professionalism. Lisa has held many volunteer roles in the Bath/Brunswick communities. She resides in Bath with her family, and can be found enjoying the Maine outdoors when not in the office.
Sheila Menair
Sheila Menair
Sheila Menair is a financial advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®. Energetic and creative, Sheila has a passion for women’s advocacy and is a founding member of the Maine Divorce Workshop and the driving force behind Together Invested. Her core belief is that women are empowered to take charge of their financial well-being when they have the correct knowledge, tools and mindset. Sheila has over 15 years of experience helping her clients navigate the often-difficult waters of divorce settlement and serving as their financial ally. Sheila is also a proud alumna of USM and a wicked big Bruins fan.
Terri De Coster
Terri De Coster
Terri DeCoster is a divorce and stepparent coach and family mediator with a Masters in Counseling Psychology and certificate in coaching. She has dedicated over 20 years of her career to improving interpersonal relationships among families and individuals, most notably serving as a Board member and presenter at the Kids First Center. In 2018, Terri received the Kids First Center Outstanding Service Award, and currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Maine Association of Mediators and is a presenter for Maine Divorce Workshop. Terri has passion for supporting and empowering families and individuals in conflict and transition to peaceful resolutions through education, effective communication, and compassion.
Whitney Lallas
Whitney Lallas
Whitney is an associate attorney at MittelAsen, LLC in Portland, Maine. Whitney devotes her entire practice to family law matters, and she is a rostered Guardian ad Litem for Title 19-A matters. Whitney participates in the Volunteer Lawyers Project’s Mead Fellowship for pro bono service, where she provides legal services to Maine’s indigent populations. Currently, Whitney serves as the Legislative Liaison of the Maine State Bar Association’s Family Law Section. Whitney is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law. While in law school, she represented clients in a variety of matters including divorces, post-divorce motions, juvenile matters, and protection from abuse cases as a Student Attorney at the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic. Whitney is a recipient of the law school’s Family, Juvenile, & Elder Law Award, with a focus in Family Law, for outstanding scholastic achievement.
Sarah Doucette
Sarah Doucette
Sarah Doucette is a Business and Contracts Analyst in the defense contracting industry. She has an MBA in International Business from Florida Southern College. Sarah is a survivor, author, and advocate for victims of intimate partner violence. Having been a victim of financial and economic abuse she is passionate about helping other women find their voice when discussing money and finances. When she is not working or writing she is spending time with her husband, Tom, and their new baby, Nyla.
What We Do
Whitney Lallas
Whitney is an associate attorney at MittelAsen, LLC in Portland, Maine. Whitney devotes her entire practice to family law matters, and she is a rostered Guardian ad Litem for Title 19-A matters. Whitney participates in the Volunteer Lawyers Project’s Mead Fellowship for pro bono service, where she provides legal services to Maine’s indigent populations. Currently, Whitney serves as the Legislative Liaison of the Maine State Bar Association’s Family Law Section. Whitney is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law. While in law school, she represented clients in a variety of matters including divorces, post-divorce motions, juvenile matters, and protection from abuse cases as a Student Attorney at the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic. Whitney is a recipient of the law school’s Family, Juvenile, & Elder Law Award, with a focus in Family Law, for outstanding scholastic achievement.
GatHERings
Join us for an hour of happiness, wisdom, and work. Gather to meet more women and learn creative ways to flip your money mindset. Offerings include mini-panels, presentations, and judgement-free conversations. We use this time to forge new relationships, share our stories, and continue building knowledge and confidence, all in a relaxed and supportive environment. Good food, great company and a cash bar make for a fun hour-long recharge.
Waking up to Wealth!
Join us as we examine how our personal attitudes toward money touch nearly every aspect of our lives…over brunch! Delivered with a side of healthy humor and compassion, this event teaches financial proficiency and addresses cultural taboos and behaviors around money. Remember, wealth is more about your state of mind than the size of your wallet.
Maine Divorce Workshop
Whether you are pondering divorce or already in it, our workshops deliver the information you need to better navigate and protect yourself. Learn your legal and financial rights and strategies for getting a handle on the emotional ride. Our team, comprised of Certified Divorce Financial Analysts®, family law attorneys, and mental health professionals, offer a thorough overview with Q&A after. Cost to attend is $35. This 4-hour workshop will save you time, money and sanity.
The Latest
Check out our blog for helpful tips, recent news and announcements, and more.
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