Our mission
Building community thoughtfully.
Photo by Jenny Bravo
About
Held was an idea that developed over a cup of coffee. Tenaya and Mary Beth are passionate about their Portland, Maine, female community and ensuring others feel supported and connected.
Modern life can often be frenetic and lonely, and most people do not prioritize building their community because it can feel daunting or inaccessible. Held believes that feeling seen and having a sense of belonging are key to one’s well-being. It’s committed to developing events that inspire, promote inclusivity, and celebrate diversity of thought to foster meaningful relationships and personal growth. Held designs each gathering to be transformative by reimagining human connection.
“We tend to conflate category with purpose. For example, when I say I’m having a birthday party, most of us have a specific archetype of what that means - candles, a cake, etc. And we follow those scripts in those categories…The most powerful gatherings begin with purpose and don’t begin with form.”
The founders
Tenaya Britton
Tenaya lived in Portland, Maine, as a small child and moved back in the summer of 2022 from Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, Matt, and daughters, Hayden and Layla. After living in big cities such as NYC, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., she and her family were seeking a home where community was more accessible. Tenaya has spent most of her career in advertising and marketing for large corporations. Before starting her own company, she led the marketing for Tech & Innovation and Philanthropy at Bloomberg, where she focused on programming and experiences that positively impacted global and local communities. She runs a marketing studio that provides marketing strategy and execution for corporations, startups, and small businesses wanting to accelerate growth and impact. She is also an advisor to two startups and, in the summer of 2024, became a co-chair of the Founders for Kamala, a coalition of entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners. Tenaya loves meeting new people and forming deep connections.
Mary Beth Golden
Born on the Jersey Shore, Mary Beth spent her childhood between the beach and playing various sports. After majoring in Advertising and Marketing Communications at FIT in NYC, Mary Beth worked for 8+ years at MAC Cosmetics, overseeing North American press outreach, collaborations, fashion week, influencer relations, and executive profile pieces. She then spent two years leading the Lifestyle and Hospitality at DKC Agency. After almost 16 years in the East Village, Mary Beth and her family moved to Portland, Maine, in 2018, and she began her consulting career. Mary Beth specializes in high-touch in-person and virtual experiences, including product launches, collaborations, and brand milestones. She, her husband Mike, their daughters Charlie and Lucy, and their pup Killian are exploring all New England has to offer.