Amazing Women Rhode Island

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. 

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.

 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.