Claire Dorwart

Claire Dorwart joined The Knowles Company as Business Manager in 2024 and became an owner in 2025, continuing the company’s proud tradition of leadership and independence. With a background in the entertainment industry, Claire has a history of leading diverse teams across projects of all kinds. She is a pragmatic and detail-oriented problem solver, passionate about building systems and nurturing teams.

Known for her compassionate leadership style, Claire is committed to fostering a positive and productive work environment that consistently drives business success and creative excellence. Her leadership has strengthened The Knowles Company’s operations and positioned it for future growth and success.

As a Boston University graduate, Claire proudly carries forward the legacy of the company’s founder, Belle Smallidge Knowles, the first woman from Mount Desert to attend Boston University. Current owner Mia Thompson, also a Boston University graduate, shares this connection, continuing a tradition of leadership and excellence that guides The Knowles Company into the future.

Claire grew up in Westfield, New Jersey, surrounded by the arts of New York City. She spent her childhood dancing, participating in theater, and enjoying family vacations to national parks across the country, which sparked a lasting love for the outdoors. After graduating from Boston University, Claire moved to New York City, where she lived for 5 years.

In 2020, she and her partner, Parker Brown, moved from New York City to Mount Desert, Parker’s hometown, to escape the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, they purchased land through The Knowles Company with plans to build their forever home. In 2024, they purchased their first home in Bar Harbor, which they are now lovingly renovating.

Outside of work, Claire enjoys cooking, gardening, and outdoor adventures like hiking, boating, and camping. Since climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2019 for charity, she has supported Flying Kites Global, a nonprofit focused on improving education, healthcare, and gender equality in rural Kenya. She loves to travel and is always planning her next adventure.