Amazing Women Rhode Island

Since 2014, Rhode Island’s premier culinary incubator is HOPE & MAIN in Warren. Founder and CEO, LISA RAIOLA shares the secret sauce to helping over five hundred entrepreneurs to jumpstart their food business- 60% are women-owned and 45% owned by founders of color.

How much do you know about native American history? The Narragansett Indians are the state’s only federally recognized tribe. LOREN SPEARS, the executive director of Tomaquag Museum, the state’s only indigenous museum, discuses native American history, culture, and art.    

Roberta Richman is an artist who spent 33 years at the RI Department of  Corrections including warden of the Women’s Prison. She is not like the warden in Shawshank Redemption, but more like Mother Theresa!  She began by creating art programs in the prison and later collaborated with community groups to create support systems to help people once they were released from prison.

BETH BIXBY shares her compelling story of going from a client of  Tides Family Services to the CEO. She is the first woman CEO of a Brothers of Christian Schools upon the retirement of founder Brother Michael who started the agency to help at-risk children.  

It’s the time of season when food is foremost. Yet, 40% of Rhode Island households suffer from ‘food insecurity’.  KATE BREWSTER, CEO of Johnny Cake Center, a food pantry serving South County, says people must first worry about housing and feeding the family is second. She and RI Food Bank’s LISA ROTH BLACKMAN put a face on the hungry in Rhode Island. 

Domestic violence is a public health and public safety issue. LUCY RIOS, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, discusses the sobering stats that nearly one in two Rhode Islanders have experienced domestic violence and how federal and state funding cuts have reduced programs.

For the past 30 years, MICHELLE WILCOX has worked with every CEO at  Crossroads Rhode Island. Now, she is the president/CEO responsible for internal operations, programs, physical assets, and new housing development. She shares her dreams and vision for the agency’s future. 

Mitty Mirrer, award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and founder of Gold Star Children, discusses her volunteer work in Ukraine with TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). Listen as she shares compelling stories about the amazing resilience of Ukrainian women despite the loss of their homeland and loved ones.  

HEATHER HOLE STROUT is a life-long Newporter. After 22 years teaching, she joined the Martin Luther King Community Center of Newport County in 2015. Newport is the 5th poorest city in Rhode Island and for over 100 years the MLK Center has been providing food, community outreach, and teaching programs for children and families. 

Early detection of breast cancer can save a woman’s life. Dr. Martha Mainiero, a radiologist at RI Hospital, discusses preventative measures, warning signs, and breast cancer treatments. She provides hope and encouragement for anyone diagnosed or recovering from breast cancer. 

Weayonnoh Nelson Davies, executive director of Economic Progress Institute, discusses this nonpartisan research policy organization’s work to ensure economic security for low- and modest-income Rhode Island families. 

Cathryn Jamieson, a mother, grandmother, sister, and owner of a hair salon,  gets a second chance at life when her living donor, Lisa Doucet, managing director at a communications firm, donates one of her kidneys to Cathryn.  It is a compelling story about why more people could become kidney donors if they better understood the process. 

Rhode Island is home to the fourth oldest state historical society in the country, Executive director, MORGAN GREFE of the RI Historical Society, discusses some of the state’s must-see social and historical sites. She also explains the historical significance of the ‘three-deckers’ where immigrant families lived and walked to nearby factory jobs. 

KELLY NEVINS, CEO of The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, a social justice organization with the goal of improving the lives of women and girls in RI. We discuss the status of women and girls in this state, grantmaking through a gender lens, economic security, civic engagement, and why it all matters.

Sarah Anderson, CEO and Superintendent of Blackstone Valley Prep, discusses the role of charter schools - which are public schools - and how the shift in RI’s education funding formula in 2026 will impact all public schools.

Reverend REBECCA SPENCER, is the first woman to serve as senior minister at the Central Congregational Church in Providence. She discusses retirement after 35 years, raising her cows on her farm, spiritual awakening, and how to find common ground in turbulent times.

You know HELEN ANTHONY as Providence city councilwoman, Ward 2. She is an avid outdoorsperson and discusses her life-changing accident. Helen was hit by an ATV vehicle while hiking in California.  She endured many surgeries and months of recovery in the hospital.  As she says, “It wasn’t my time.”

KRISTEN WILLIAMS, executive director, of RIVERZEDGE ARTS in Woonsocket discusses the economic engine of the art community in this state. She highlights the workforce development programs at RIVERZEDGE ARTS including paid, work-based learning for teens in the state.