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The Rhode Island Foundation and the Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP) recently celebrated a landmark milestone: the graduation of the first cohorts to complete their joint leadership development programs.

Launched in 2025, the partnership between the Foundation and INP, was developed to bolster leadership pipelines across Rhode Island’s nonprofit, public, and social enterprise sectors in alignment with the Foundation’s Capacity Building efforts and Community Priorities. The three programs, the enhanced Equity Leadership Initiative (ELI+), the Core Certificate Program and the RISE Program; were offered at no cost to participants.

"We are excited to partner with INP to deepen capacity building and leadership development opportunities for nonprofit organizations across the state," said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation's president and CEO. "We looked for highly motivated, mission-driven people who are passionate about social change and advancing equity, and that is exactly who these graduates are."

“We are deeply grateful for our partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation, which made this cohort possible and serves as a model for what's possible nationwide. The leaders completing the ELI+, Core and RISE programs spent the past year showing up, leaning in and digging deep. They now graduate equipped with the confidence, resources and network to build a more equitable and resilient Rhode Island. We celebrate their incredible journey as they join a powerful movement of 5,000 INP alumni across the country committed to leading social change with courage and conviction,” said Yolanda Coentro, INP’s president and CEO.

ELI+ – an enhanced evolution of the Foundation's Equity Leadership Initiative that was originally launched in 2021 – serves mid-career professionals and/or managers working in the social impact sector (nonprofit, public sector, social impact) in Rhode Island who seek a capacity building opportunity that centers on the experiences of people of color and emphasizes social impact management and leadership skill building through an equity focus. Participants enrolled in INP's Core Certificate Program and also engaged in six topic-focused, in-person, day-long leadership seminars and trainings at the Rhode Island Foundation.

"ELI+ is more than a leadership program – it is an investment in people, purpose and community. The program creates space for leaders to deepen self-awareness, strengthen their voice, and lead with greater intention, authenticity and impact. Through both introspective and extrospective learning, participants not only grow individually, but also become better equipped to serve, strengthen and transform the communities around them,” said Lisa Maddox, who oversees the program.

The graduates are:

• Alexander Sterling, CEO, Turtle Island Community Capital
• Awilda Reinoso Lopez, Senior Policy & Research Manager, Latino Policy Institute
• Bryana Del Santo, State Level Equal Opportunity Officer, Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
• Cherèva McClellan, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Rhode Island College
• Chiv Heng, Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Chiv Heng Consulting
• Denezia Fahie, Executive Director, Providence Student Union
• Genevieve Medina, Senior Associate, Student Recruitment & Enrollment, Achievement First Schools
• Helen Kifle, Director of Operations, Economic Progress Institute
• Jessica Thigpen, 02907 Health Equity Zone Program Director, West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation
• Lisha Gomes, Chief of Staff, The Elisha Project
• Vianella Burgos, Program Coordinator, Comprehensive Community Action Program
• Yolanda Davis, Assistant Dean, Pre-College Programs, Brown University

“ELI+ has supported me using my voice with clarity, advocating for myself and others and leading collaboratively with the community,” said Burgos.

In addition, the ELI+ participants also graduated from INP’s Core Certificate Program, which is INP's flagship offering equipped mid-level professionals, senior leaders and executives with the skills, knowledge and networks needed to make strategic, mission-driven decisions. Graduates received a certificate in Social Impact Management and Leadership.

INP also graduated a cohort from its RISE Fellowship Program. Designed for those with approximately five or fewer years of work experience, RISE developed the next generation of social impact and community leaders in Rhode Island.

“As an alum of both ELI and Core and a current INP faculty member, I can attest: these programs are creating a real difference for the social impact workforce across Rhode Island. I’m thrilled to see the Rhode Island Foundation and INP partnering to expand this vital work, reaching communities in need far and wide,” said Peter Chung, executive director of Young Voices.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through civic leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, together with partners and neighbors, the Foundation is helping to create progress that lasts.

The Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP) equips the nation's social impact leaders with the skills, resources, networks, and confidence to boldly advance their organizations and missions, creating a more equitable future for all. Through a suite of comprehensive leadership development programs, alumni programming, thought leadership, and community convenings, INP trains and connects executives, managers, and emerging leaders nationwide to foster a more effective, connected, and representative social impact sector. For more information, visit nonprofitpractice.org.