Amazing Women Rhode Island: Recent Episodes
Deborah Ruggiero
PAM JOHNSTON, CEO of Ocean State Media, discusses the merger of RI PBS TV and The Public’s Radio that has been two years in the making. She discusses the new radio signal on 103.7 FM, how Ocean State Media is navigating the elimination of federal funds for public media, and their goal for community-centered local journalism. The CEO of Ocean State Media discusses the merger of RI PBS TV and The Public’s Radio, which has been two years in the making. She discusses the new radio signal on 103.7 FM, how Ocean State Media is navigating the elimination of federal funds for public media, and their goal for community-centered local journalism.
SUZANNE SNYDER, founder of SAIL BEYOND CANCER, creates a touchstone moment for cancer survivors to leave cancer at the dock and head into the healing powers of the wind and water. She discusses her journey with cancer and how it inspired her to start this non-profit in 2014.
American veterans deserve the best in healthcare because they earned it. Dr. LAUREN SCHLANGER is theWomen’s Health Medical Director at the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She discusses the programs available to women veterans, mental health services, and a ‘holistic’ approach to integrate veterans back into the community.
MARTHA CUMMINGS is an educator and founder of Universal Promise, a nonprofit that provides educational opportunities to young children in rural South Africa. She discusses how private donations and local partnerships helped build a library, science lab, and classroom renovations. The pass rate for 12th graders skyrocketed from 14 to 93 percent last year.
MELISSA CHERNEY is the new CEO of Rhode Island Foodbank. She discusses the differences coming from the Great Plains Food Bank in North Dakota and puts a human face on the hungry in Rhode Island. She also shares her personal struggle with hunger and receiving SNAP benefits.
The Rhode Island Philharmonic enters a new era with the first woman conductor and Music Director. RUTH REINHARDT has an impressive international reputation as a dynamic musical conductor. Born in Germany, she had already composed a full-length opera by the age of 17, which she conducted with her local music school. Ruth describes how she communicates with the musicians, the energy of the audience, and her plans for the Music School as she works with aspiring young musicians.
Do you know someone who is struggling to make ends meet? For over 130 years, Family Service of Rhode Island has been helping families out of poverty. MARGARET HOLLAND MCDUFF, CEO, has been at FSRI for 4 decades starting as a social worker helping teens in trauma. She highlights the efforts of this human services agency, which positively influences countless families and children in the state.
Cuts to federal SNAP benefits mean more Rhode Island families go hungry. KATE BREWSTER, CEO of Johnny Cake Center, a food pantry serving South County, says families worry about housing costs and putting food on the table.
REBEKAH ROSEN GOMEZ is co-founder and executive director of CONEXION LATINA NEWPORT, an organization that helps educate, empower, and connect the Hispanic community to services on Aquidneck Island. She explains how the values, culture, and work ethic of the Latino community contribute to the future and the local economy.
Since 2012, Girls on the Run Rhode Island has been inspiring girls from third to eighth grade to recognize their inner strengths and increase their physical activity. KASHA HANFLIK, executive director, and ELIZABETH MCGANN, program manager, discuss how young girls build friendships and grow their self-confidence during the ten-week program.
We are more politically divided than we have ever been in over 30 years. JENNIFER LAWLESS, chair of the Politics Department at the University of Virginia, discusses the national political scene and “affective polarization”. If you are a Rhode Island political junkie, you may recall that in 2006 she ran for the Democratic nomination for RI’s 2nd Congressional District. She lost but continues her research and analysis of politics.
LISA GUILLETTE, executive director of Foster Forward, discusses how foster care in Rhode Island has changed over the years, their innovative housing project in Pawtucket, and how opening your heart and home can change the life of a child forever.
SUE ANDERBOIS is the Director of Climate and Energy for The Nature Conservancy. She also serves on the Providence City Council. She discusses how the city hopes to fund the $15 million settlement to the Providence School District, her work on affordable housing, and how environmental groups are handling the Republican Administration’s dismantling of environmental and clean energy policy issues.
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.
LISA PINA-WARREN, the executive director of The Nonviolence Institute, joins me for a compelling conversation on how they square the use of nonviolence to mitigate the rise of gun and gang violence in Providence. It is a compelling conversation that includes her personal story. Lisa lost her brother and family members to gun violence. It is so tragic that we experienced another school shooting, this week in Georgia. Guns are the leading killer of children in the U.S. We have more mass shootings than any other country on the planet. So much more work needs to be done to prevent unnecessary deaths from gun violence.
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.
JENNIFER HAWKINS is the CEO of One Neighborhood Builders, a nonprofit community. development leader. We discuss where affordable housing is being built in Rhode Island, mixed-income social housing, and how short-term rentals have impacted the housing stock for year-round renters.
Rosie The Riveter is the most iconic image of women working in the defense industry during WW II. There are many skilled tradeswomen today. ANITA BRUNO started Rhode Island Women in The Trades in 2019. This non-profit organizes, educates, and trains women for employment in building trades for economic empowerment.
We are all getting older and all of us want to ‘age in place’. In the next six years, over a third of the population will be 55+. CAROLINE GANGJI, executive director of the VILLAGE COMMON of RHODE ISLAND discusses what communities have already established a ‘village’ to age in place, and why this is the future.
HELENA BUONANNO FOULKES stormed onto the political scene in 2022 with a formidable Democratic Gubernatorial Campaign in Rhode Island. She discusses lessons learned from that campaign, her current work on public education with several municipalities, and …. wait it for it… her decision on running again for Governor in 2026.
Athletic competition is a doorway to self-confidence and success.University of Rhode Island women’s basketball coach, TAMMI REISS, has been named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year twice in her three years at URI. She talks about coaching young women to be the best in the conference, excel in academics, and learn the game’s life lessons for future success.
Homelessness and affordable housing are top-of-mind policy issues in Rhode Island. KAREN SANTILLI, CEO of Crossroads RI, discusses new projects for the unhoused, and what the state needs to do to mitigate the housing shortage.
15% of RI high school students reported attempting suicide one or more times. Dr. Daisy Bassen, a child psychiatrist and medical director of Thrive Behavioral Health, discusses mental health stressors, depression, and warning signs for teens and young adults.
Page Clausius Parks, executive director of RI KIDS COUNT,discusses her challenges and goals for this statewide policy and advocacy organization that improves the health, education, and economic well-being of RI’s children.
KATE LIBERMAN, only the 2nd woman executive director of TRINITY REPERTORY Company, discusses her work in NY and Boston theater, her work with Curt Columbus, and Trinity’s role in promoting diversity and equity.
KIM KALUNIAN, WPRI TV 12 news anchor at 4pm, a native Rhode Islander, discusses her career working with her husband in the same industry and in the same newsroom, and how she and Ted Nesi juggle parenting, childcare, and turning off the news at home.
Aniece Germaine is the first black woman elected to the Cranston City Council. She shares her story of escaping life-threatening events in Haiti to come to the U.S where she learned English, went to college, ran for office, and is now serving her second term on the city council.
Anna Cano Morales, Vice President for External Relations and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Rhode Island College, discusses the future of Rhode Island College, RIC as a Hispanic Serving Institution, and the importance of a secondary education in today’s marketplace.
Domestic violence is a public health and public safety issue. SHELLEY CORTESE, RI Dept. of Corrections oversees adult probation and parole, and LUCY RIOS from the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence discuss their collaboration and how they’re solving the DV problem.
Kelli Armstrong is the 8th president of Salve Regina University and the first who not a Sister of Mercy. She discusses higher education and why service to others is such a part of this school’s culture.
Ellen Ford worked at People’s Credit Union for 37 years. She grew up in Newport and discusses rising through the ranks from an entry-level teller to the president/CEO for the last 17 years of her career.
Sally Lapides, CEO of Residential Properties is one of the state’s premier real estate companies with nine offices and a commercial division. She discusses the market, affordable housing, and tips for first-time home buyers in an ever-changing real estate market.
Emily Crowell, chief of staff to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, is an effective, non-stop political operative in this state. Emily shares why she works so hard for this Mayor, her many tattoos (#39 for this 39th Mayor), and why she believes this Administration will do more for the creative capital.
BARBARA SOKOLOV and Dr. JODI GLASS explain how Aldersbridge, an East Providence non-profit running health centers for older adults, is embarking on an innovative plan to build affordable housing for aging members of the LGBTQ community.
MARY BURKE is the longest-tenured coach in the history of women’s and men’s basketball in Rhode Island. She has coached the women’s basketball team at Bryant University for over 30 years and has over 415 wins. Coach Burke is one of the few people who coaches a RI college sport and is a native of Rhode Island. She’s coaching these women on competition, winning, and life lessons.
MARCELA BETANCUR, director of the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University, discusses equity, housing, education, and the economic contributions of the Hispanic community in the state.
Since 1969 Meals on Wheels has been delivering meals to the homes ofseniors, veterans, friends, and neighbors- over 1200 a day! Executive director MEGHAN GRADY explains how volunteers bring more than a meal; it’s a smilingface and a personal connection to so many Rhode Islanders.
How’s your financial health? Are you saving for your kid’s education and your retirement? KAREN EMMA is founder and president of Universal Wealth Management. She discusses the myths about Medicare and how to spend less than you take in!
Black history and story-telling is in VALERIE TUTSON’s DNA. She’s an award-winning story-teller with songs and stories from her travels in South Africa and West Africa. She’s a Brown University graduate with a Master’s in theater art and a Bachelor’s in her self-designed major of Storytelling as a Communications Art.
Rhode Island’s Commerce Secretary is LIZ TANNER, a URI graduate with a law degree from Western New England University. She served as the Director of the Dept. of Business Regulations (DBR), regulating commercial licensing, cannabis, gaming; and she understands the needs of small business.
You may not think twice about your next family meal, but food insecurity impacts 11% of Rhode Island households. LISA ROTH BLACKMAN, chief philanthropy officer at the Rhode Island Food Bank, discusses health equity, community farms, reducing food insecurity, and the important role the RI Food Bank plays in supplying local food pantries.
The Narragansett Indians have been in Rhode Island for over 30,000 years, according to archeological evidence and oral history. LOREN SPEARS, a Narragansett tribal member and executive director of the Tomaquag Museum, discusses the history, culture and future of the indigenous people.
On any given night over 1200 people are homeless in Rhode Island. 30% of renters cannot afford to pay their rent. Despite legislative initiatives, affordable housing and homelessness are major policy issues. JENNIFER BARRERA, chief strategist with the RI Coalition for the Homeless discusses what really needs to happen.