Leadership Rhode Island

10/13/2026

📣Applications for the 2027 Propel Program are now live!

Entering its third year, Propel helps early-career professionals grow in the workplace and engage in their communities. Participants explore their leadership styles, apply workplace best practices, and build strong professional connections.

Looking to strengthen employee retention or prepare an emerging leader for their next role? Invest in your team through Propel.

➡️ Apply: https://leadershipri.org/propel-program/

➡️ Nominate someone: https://leadershipri.org/propelnomination/

10/09/2026

🌲✨On Wednesday, September 30th, the Chi II class gathered at Camp Hoffman for their final session before graduation, exploring Belonging, Place, and Environment. The day highlighted civic engagement, community connection, and the importance of making a lasting impact across Rhode Island. A special thank you to the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England for hosting us!

We kicked off the morning with an inspiring fireside discussion moderated by Jennie Silbert (2019 Omicron II), featuring: Seth Zeren, VP for Development at Armory Management Company, Dana Borrelli-Murray (2012 Theta II), CEO at Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England

Their insights highlighted a powerful common denominator: humans inherently crave connection. To build thriving communities, we must intentionally design inviting spaces, foster inclusive atmospheres, and encourage open, healthy dialogue.

We were also grounded in "what comes next" thanks to a phenomenal group of alumni who shared their wisdom on stepping into LRI's active network of changemakers.

-James Diossa (2012 Theta II/LCF), Office of Rhode Island General Treasurer
-Scott Wolf (1987 Eta), Executive Director, GrowSmart RI
-Karl Wadensten (2017 Nu II), President & CEO, VIBCO Vi*****rs
-Cortney Nicolato, MS (2019 Omicron II), President & CEO, United Way of Rhode Island
-Josh Short (2020 Pi II), Founder & Artistic Director, The Wilbury Theatre Group

A heartfelt thank you to our facilitator, Sterling Clinton Spellman (2019 Omicron II), for guiding us through such a memorable and impactful day!

See more: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6LVt

10/08/2026

📚🍴Sweet Talkers Launch Event at Nowell Academy!

We celebrated the launch of the Sweet Talkers project, created by TRIS Scholar Zachary (Zach) Jean Phillipe, with a hands-on workshop for Nowell Academy students and their children!

The event began with welcoming remarks celebrating the project, followed by a brief cooking workshop where students and their little ones practiced communication and other developmental skills while making a recipe together. Each family received a take-home toolkit with a copy of the book, a kid-safe cooking tool set, and an apron to keep the fun going at home.

Congratulations, Zach, on bringing your idea to life, and thank you to our partners, Papitto Opportunity Connection Foundation, Transform Rhode Island Scholarship (TRIS), NatureEd, and NOWELL ACADEMY for making this possible!

Interested in bringing Sweet Talkers to your community?
Please contact Sulina Mohanty, TRIS Project Lead, at [email protected]

09/25/2026

There’s still time to apply for the 2027 Psi II Class! Applications for Leadership Rhode Island’s Core Program close Sunday, September 27.

If you’re curious about Rhode Island, enjoy meeting people with different experiences, and want to bring new ideas and connections back to your work and community, we hope to see you in the 2027 cohort.

⭐ Apply here: https://leadershipri.org/2027coreapply/

Have someone in mind who would enjoy the experience? Send them this post and encourage them to apply!

09/23/2026

What could your LRI Core Program experience look like?

Aquila Harris and Patrick McQuade share a connection that began years before LRI. Both are alumni of The Providence Country Day School, and after following different paths, they now find themselves sharing another experience as members of the 2026 Chi II Class.

For Aquila, the Core Program has reinforced the power of the people behind the work happening across Rhode Island and inspired her to become “a more engaged learner, teacher, leader, mentor, community member, and advocate.”

For Pat, stepping outside his usual circles has reinforced that “meaningful progress starts with relationships, curiosity, and a willingness to listen.”

Now, as Aquila, Pat, and the rest of Chi II prepare to graduate, who will be next?

Applications for the 2027 Psi II Core Program are open through September 27.

Apply today: https://leadershipri.org/2027coreapply/

09/21/2026

Calling all leaders! 📣🌊

We are less than 1 week away from the 2027 Psi II Core Program Application deadline!

Don't miss the opportunity to take part in this transformative 10-month experience that offers a behind-the-scenes look at Rhode Island, builds connections across sectors, and strengthens your ability to make an impact in your organization and community.

⭐ Apply today: https://leadershipri.org/2027coreapply/

⏰ Application deadline: Sunday, September 27, 2026

Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them or share this opportunity with your network!

Class members will engage through in-person and virtual experiences, events, socials, community engaged projects, strengths-based coaching, and individual learning opportunities. These shared experiences transform individuals into a network of leaders to shape Rhode Island's future. The Core Program...

09/02/2026

✈️ What a way to spend an Enhancement Day!

Today, class members of our 2026 Chi II class and 2025 Phi II alumni had the opportunity to take flight aboard a C-130J aircraft with the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143d Airlift Wing at Quonset Air National Guard Base.

A huge thank you to everyone from the Rhode Island National Guard and Charlene Marshall (2026 Chi II) for putting together such a special experience and bringing our Chi II and Phi II together on this incredible day!

👀 Stay tuned for a look back at Chi II’s summer of Session Days across Rhode Island!

08/28/2026

Join us for the 2027 Psi II Open House on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Prospective applicants will have the opportunity to connect with Core Program alumni and recent class members, hear firsthand about their experiences, and learn more about what makes the Core Program unique.
https://business.providencechamber.com/news/details/leadership-rhode-island-accepting-applicants-for-2027-core-program

Thinking about applying for the 2027 Psi II Class? Learn more about the application process on our website.

🔗 Register for the Open House: https://support.leadershipri.org/event/psi-ii-open-house/e830013
🔗 Explore the Core Program: https://leadershipri.org/core-program/

Know someone who would be a great fit? Share this opportunity with your network!

Leadership Rhode Island (LRI) is now accepting applications for its 2027 Psi II Core Program, a 10-month, January–October experience that brings together a diverse cohort of 75 leaders for a behind-the-scenes view of Rhode Island. Through shared experiences, participants build meaningful relations...

08/12/2026

💡Join us for the 2027 Psi II Open House on Thursday, September 10th, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the LRI office!

For more than four decades, Leadership Rhode Island’s Core Program has brought together leaders from across sectors, communities, and lived experiences to broaden their perspectives, build meaningful relationships, and deepen their connection to Rhode Island.

Now, we’re inviting the next class of leaders to join us.

Ready to invest in your own leadership journey?

➡️Open House RSVP https://support.leadershipri.org/event/psi-ii-open-house/e830013

➡️Apply Now: https://leadershipri.org/2027coreapply/

➡️Nominate Someone Today: https://leadershipri.org/corenominate/

06/22/2026

Tuesday, June 16 marked the final session of the 2026 Senior Fellows cohort.

Over the past eight weeks, 16 participants have explored key issues affecting Rhode Island's aging population through discussions, site visits, and conversations with leaders across sectors. Throughout the program, fellows visited Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Your Blue Store, SACRI-Senior Agenda Coalition of RI, the Rhode Island State House, PACE Organization of Rhode Island, and Good Neighbors RI Community Kitchen and Food Pantry, gaining firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges facing older adults across our state.

During the Civic Commitment Fair on June 2, Fellows connected with community organizations including Rhode Island Elder Info, SACRI-Senior Agenda Coalition of RI, Federal Hill House, the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services, The Village Common of Rhode Island, AARP Rhode Island, Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, and RAMP real access motivates progress. These conversations highlighted opportunities for participants to apply their skills, experience, and leadership in service to Rhode Island communities.

🙏 Thank you to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Age Friendly RI for their generous support in making this program possible.