Leadership Rhode Island (LRI) will celebrate the commencement of its 2026 Chi II Core Program Class on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Kinney Bungalow in Narragansett, recognizing 75 Rhode Islanders who  spent the year building relationships, exploring statewide issues, and putting their learning into action.

Guided by this year’s theme, “HOPE: Our Response-Ability,” class members explored how their strengths and shared commitment could contribute to a stronger, more connected Rhode Island. Through immersive  session days and conversations across sectors and communities, participants deepened their understanding of the state and discovered opportunities for collaboration. “Hope does not live in any one person—it lives  between us. It is built in relationships, strengthened through honest conversation, and sustained when we use our strengths in service of something larger than ourselves.” 

— Michelle Carr, CEO & Executive Director, Leadership Rhode Island

The class developed 10 Leadership in Action projects focused on Rhode Island’s food ecosystem, addressing challenges related to food insecurity, access, and waste reduction. Upon graduating, class members will join LRI’s statewide network of more than 3,200 alumni who continue to lead, collaborate, and drive positive change across Rhode Island. 

Join us as we celebrate the Leadership Rhode Island 2026 Chi II Core Program class and recognize their leadership journey, accomplishments, and commitment to making a lasting impact across Rhode Island. We look forward to bringing together alumni, community partners, friends, and family for this special occasion.

Meet the 2026 Chi II Class Members

• Melissa Aguiar-Rivard (Rehoboth) Chief of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, RI Department of Children Youth and Families
• Sheri Akinfolarin (Lincoln) System Director, Care New England ● Jude Amoako (Cranston) Founder, Based On A True Story
• Tatiana Baena (Central Falls) Executive Director, Providence After School Alliance
• Matt Bellisle (Exeter) Chief Operating Officer, Pare Corporation
• Erin Berard (Middletown) Military Professor, United States Marine Corps
• Danilo Borgas (Coventry) Shareholder/Attorney, Sinapi Law Associates, Ltd.
• Ed Brady (Cranston) Community Leader, Social Entrepreneur & Producer, The Park Theatre, Thirsty Beaver, Cranston Cares
• Randy Buck (Pawtucket) Interim Superintendent, Pawtucket School Department
• Brian Butterworth (Johnston) Director, Driver Education, AAA Northeast
• Sandra Cano (Pawtucket) Executive Director of Presidential Initiatives & Strategic Partnerships, University of Rhode Island Foundation
• Kaitlin Carver (Lincoln) Manager of Utilization Review, Blue Cross Blue Shield Rhode Island
• Nicole Christie (East Greenwich) Regional Manager, Newport Restaurant Group
• Aaron Clark (North Kingstown) Vice President of Accounting and Finance, Westerly Community Credit Union
• Kelly Coelho (Rumford) Vice President, Client Relations, (add)ventures
• Jaime Comella (Richmond) Assistant Director, Rhode Island Department of Health
• Mary Costa (Rumford) Office Managing Director, CBIZ
• Regina Costa (Wakefield) Owner & ISA Certified Arborist, TRAQ Arboreal Solutions LLC
• Katy Coutley (Warwick) Director, Professional Studies and Continuing Education, Rhode Island College
• Kristin Couto (Bristol) Project Manager, Gilbane Building Company
• Nora Crowley (Providence) Director, Government Affairs, Cox Communications
• Derek Czenczelewski (Coventry) Director of Business Development, Dimeo Construction Company
• Neyda DeJesus (Pawtucket) Community Engagement Specialist, Tides Family Services
• Shelby Doggett (Cranston) Director of Food Systems and Market Development, Hope & Main
• Joe Dufault (Swansea) Captain, Providence Police Department
• Ananda Fraser Ramirez (Cranston) Acting Chief, Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment, RI Department of Environmental Management
• Tim Gaulin (Cranston) Digital Communications Manager, Citizens Bank
• Serena Gralla (Coventry) QA Senior Manager, Amgen
• Eric Gregoire (North Providence) Senior Project Executive, Lockheed Architectural Solutions
• Christine Grele (Block Island) Director P-20 Readiness and Transition, RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
• Aquila Harris (Warwick) Admissions Counselor & SEL Teacher, The Providence Country Day School
• Erin Hockensmith (East Greenwich) Counsel, Adler Pollock & Sheehan, P.C.
• Melissa Holcomb (Cumberland) Associate Director, RI Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals
• Krissy Hu (Smithfield) Deputy CFO, RI Department of Health
• Annie Jeong (Providence) Development Director, Sojourner House
• Stephen Larbi (East Greenwich) Director of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, Crossroads RI
• Stacey Levin (Providence) Deputy Director, RICARES
• David Lieng (Cranston) Senior Manager, KLR
• Melina Lodge (Warwick) Executive Director, Housing Network of Rhode Island
• Matt Lofaro (Madison) Regional Director, United Security, Inc.
• Fernanda Lopes (Cumberland) Acting Associate Director of Health, Division of Policy, Inf, Rhode Island Department of Health
• Kate MacDonald (Riverside) Director of Communications, Rhode Island Community Food Bank
• Charlene Marshall (Pomfret Center) Director of Staff, RI Air National Guard
• Taylor Matook (East Greenwich) Special Assistant Attorney General, RI Office of the Attorney General
• Autumn May (Providence) Manager, Advisory Services at Ascend Impact Advisors
• Sylvia Mburu (North Providence) Director of Corporate Relations, United Way of Rhode Island
• Pat McQuade (Barrington) Managing Member, Towermill LLC
• Jeff Merhige (North Attleboro) President and CEO, YMCA of Pawtucket
• Jerry Miele (Greenville) Administrator and Financial Officer, Higgins Cavanagh & Cooney, LLP
• Pin Minyvong (Lincoln) Founder, Win with Pin & Pin's Kytchen
• Jessica Neubauer (Providence) HR Director, AccessPoint RI
• Elizabeth Neves (Pascoag) HR Generalist II, Beacon Mutual Insurance Company
• Brittany Noble (Attleboro) Assistant Vice President, Amica Mutual Insurance
• John Olerio (Providence) Executive Director, Summer, J Term, & Strategic Initiatives, University of Rhode Island
• Andrew Omer (Coventry) Assistant Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer, Bristol County Savings Bank
• Ysa Ortega (Cranston) Staff Vice President, Internal Audit Manager, FM
• Phanida Phivilay (Johnston) Community Outreach Manager, UnitedHealthcare Community & State Plan of Rhode Island
• Lindsey Potter (Newport) Director of Partnerships, US Sailing Association
• Jill Rasmussen (Exeter) Adjunct Lecturer in Engineering, Brown University
• Nick Rivello (Cumberland) Lieutenant, Rhode Island State Police
• Donna Rook (Cranston) Administrator, Family & Adult Services, Rhode Island Department of Human Services, TANF
• Patrick Saggal (Saunderstown) Director of Engineering, General Dynamics Electric Boat
• Eric Shoen (Providence) Executive Director, Rhode Island College Alumni & Foundation
• Russ St. George (East Greenwich) Controller, VR Industries
• Amanda Strauss (Cranston) Founding Executive Director, The Alcove
• Michael Templeton (Cranston) School Principal, Sheila "Skip" Nowell Leadership Academy
• Paige Therien (Providence) Associate Director of Executive Operations, Audubon Society of Rhode Island
• Mark Thompson-Salisbury (West Warwick) Vice President | Senior Manager, Delivery Solutions, Citizens
• Brian Thorn (East Greenwich) Director of Broadband Strategy, RI Commerce Corporation
• Lori Turner (Bristol) Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships, Town of Middletown
• Maryoli Vargas Ayala (Westport) Equal Employment Manager (EEM), Rhode Island National Guard (RING)
• Amy Vogel (Cumberland) CEO, CCCFM/NurturEd Early Learning Center/ Kids Klub
• Latoya Watts (Providence) Executive Director, WattsNatural Tutoring
• Whitley Werts (Woonsocket) Chief Human Resources Officer, RIHousing
• Keith Whitt (Westerly) Marketing & Development Officer, Justice Assistance