Media Contact
Mike Ritz
401-273-1574×103
mritz@leadershipri.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Leadership Rhode Island Announces New Class & Theme
“Rhode Island: The Center of the Universe”
January 6, 2010 (Providence, RI) – Leadership Rhode Island (LRI) has selected 60 Rhode Island leaders and emerging leaders to participate in its 10-month Core Program.
This year’s program, titled “Rhode Island: The Center of the Universe,” will cover critical Rhode Island issues, as in previous years. The 2011 curriculum focuses on activities happening around the country and the world that impact Rhode Island and, conversely, the activities occurring in Rhode Island that have an impact on the country and the globe.
For one full day per month (a session day) from January to October, 2011, participants will explore the topics of media, economy, education/workforce, government, basic human needs, crime/incarceration, hospitality/tourism, national defense, and arts/culture/heritage. Jane Nugent, Ed.D. (LRI ’95), Curriculum Director, oversees the content and exercises of each session day with the aid of nearly 60 LRI alumni (the Program Committee) who possess specialized knowledge, experience and contacts that aid in the development of the session day. LRI recruits its Program Committee from its 1600 alumni each year.
“Our Program Committee, co-chaired by John Mulattieri (LRI ’09) and Carol Young (LRI ’92), is developing an incredibly hands-on experience that will enable participants and external guest presenters and experts to really get ‘the story behind the story’ on critical issues facing Rhode Island,” says Mike Ritz, Executive Director, Leadership Rhode Island. “We’re kicking off our year by focusing the first session day on the media.”
During Media Day, participants will learn the importance of fact checking, research, and asking the right questions at the right time.
“Participants in our classes are leaders and emerging leaders in positions of authority. Understanding how and where to find truth will aid them in making better decisions in their personal and professional lives – better decisions for Rhode Island,” says Ritz.
ETA II Class Members
•Michele Adamo, Owner / Think Outloud Communications
•Anthony Ambrosino, Owner / The 989 Project
•Eric S. Anderson, CEO / Enviro-Clean, Inc.
•Imam Farid Ansari / Muslim American Dawah Center
•Rev. Lynn Baker-Dooley, Public Relations Liaison / University of Rhode Island
•Alec Beckett, Creative Partner / Nail Communications
•Dr. Deirdre Bird, Assistant Professor / Providence College
•Adrian Bonéy, Grant Programs Officer / The Rhode Island Foundation
•Laura Calenda, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications / Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
•Claudia Cardozo, Business Development Officer / ACCION USA
•David Casey, Vice President of Workforce Initiatives and Chief Diversity Officer / CVS Caremark
•Mary Cimini, Director of LifeWatch Employee Assistance Program / Gateway Healthcare, Inc.
•Meg Connor, Founder and President / Connor Clurman Investments
•Jill Davidson, Education and Communications Consultant
•Robert DeOrsey, Vice President of Underwriting, Loss Prevention & Premium Audit / Beacon Mutual
•Spencer Dickinson, Special Assistant to the Superintendent / Providence Schools
•Mitchell Edwards, Partner / Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP
•Robert Ferreira, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations / Providence College
•Lt. Daniel Gannon, District Commander / Providence Police Department
•Kim Hall, Chief Learning Officer / Naval Undersea Warfare Center
•Carol Hall-Walker, Interdepartmental Project Manager / RI Department of Health
•Carol A. Hamilton, Senior Relationship Manager / TD Bank
•Rep. Art Handy, Client Solutions Director / Left Brain
•Barbara K. Hart, Vice President & Team Leader, Managed Assets / The Washington Trust Company
•Debora Heidtman RN, MS, Director / Adult Services Butler Hospital
•Karen Henault, Assistant Director of Homeownership / Rhode Island Housing
•Katy Hynes, Senior Litigation Associate / Adler Polock & Sheehan P.C.
•Douglas Kallfelz, AIA, Principal / Donald Powers Architects, Inc.
•Bruce Kaplan, J.D., Director of Marketing / Carolina Leasing, Int’l
•Anne Kugler, Director / AS220
•Luis M. Lourenco, CPA, Principal / YKSM, Ltd.
•Caroline J. Mailloux, Executive Director / Global Health through Education, Training, and Service
•John Marion, Executive Director / Common Cause RI
•Patrick Martin, CPA, Senior Manager / Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co.
•Christine McDermott, Director of Publications / AAA Southern New England
•Ashley Mercado, Project Manager, Marketing & Creative Department / Atrion
•Dr. Julie Meyers, Pediatrician & Independent Consultant
•Irene M. Nerney, RSM, Director of Major Gifts & Special Events and Pastoral Assistant (Newport) / Sisters of Mercy & Diocese of Providence
•Andrew E. Nota, Director of Administrative Services / Town of South Kingstown
•Frances O’Neill-Cunha, Regional Director of Public Affairs / Verizon
•Jennifer Parkhurst, Sourcing Director / Fidelity Investments
•Joanne G. Quinn, Executive Director / The Autism Project
•Kelly Ramirez, Executive Director / Social Venture Partners Rhode Island
•Raymond M. Ripple, Associate / Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
•M. Christine Ruggieri, Assistant Administrator / Rhode Island Dept of Human Services
•Mario Schiavone, Business Manager / Kyla Coburn Designs
•Lydia Schroter, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President / Greater Providence YMCA
•Dr. Jeff Senese, Vice President for Academic Affairs / Johnson & Wales University
•Edmund Shallcross III, Senior Assistant Vice President / Amica Mutual Insurance Company
•Robert A. Shawver, Administrator, Planning & Finance / Rhode Island Department of Transportation
•Betsy P. Shimberg / Rhode Island Board of Regents
•Terry L. Somers, Vice President / Armeny Inc. Property Management
•Francis J. Spinella, President / FJS Associates, Ltd
•Rabbi Peter W. Stein / Temple Sinai of Cranston
•Jody J. Sullivan, Executive Director / Newport County Chamber of Commerce
•Judith Tolnick Champa, Independent Curator and Art Writer
•Heather Tow-Yick, Executive Director / Teach for America
•Henrietta White-Holder, Founder & CEO / Higher Ground International, Inc.
•Richard Widdowson, Vice President, Inventory Management / CVS Caremark
•Rebecca Wilkinson, Associate Manager / Hasbro
About Leadership Rhode Island
Leadership Rhode Island is a 501(c) 3 non-profit, established in 1981, whose mission is “to provide leaders and emerging leaders with knowledge and access to resources which will enable them to positively affect their communities”.
For more information about Leadership Rhode Island’s mission, programs and activities, please call 401-273-1574 or visit www.leadershipri.org.
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