01.
Lighting the Way Through Leadership
Illuminating today. How the voices of our community guide our work.
02.
Casting a Beacon – for Rhode Island, and the Nation
Vision of the future. How we’re amplifying our work for the love of Rhode Island and beyond.
03.
Amplifying Collective Impact
Legacy leads us forward. How our partnerships move us forward.
“All of us have a light – one that illuminates our very human beingness. A light that is entirely unique and individual – A flame that is worth honoring and protecting.”
MICHELLE CARR
Executive Director
ILLUMINATING TODAY
Lighting the Way Through Leadership
In 2024, we continued our work of nurturing civic, cultural, and economic vitality. The 2024 Upsilon II class explored wellbeing. We reimagined our workforce development efforts to meet the evolving needs of young leaders. Our Senior Fellows partnered with local organizations to advance healthy aging. And connections across our community thrived through education, events, and authentic conversation.
Developing Leaders
leaders graduated
across 3 programs
Training & Consulting
individuals trained through
132 strengths-based trainings
at 40+ organizations
Activate Our Network
attendees at 34 events
Leadership Development
One Plus Two
is More than Three
As the needs of our unique communities change, we lean on our network to illuminate the path of most impact.
“Leadership exists within relationships. Listening and leaning into others, while sharing of ourselves, leads to greater impact, deeper joy, and stronger communities.”
TERESA DEFLITCH
Director of Leadership Development
Early Career
92% of 2024 CLRI graduates enhanced their ability to engage & collaborate with peers toward a shared vision.
100% enhanced their ability to understand their personal qualities and leadership style.
100% enhanced their ability to be invested in the future of RI.
Core
86.3% of Upsilon II graduates think more critically about the most promising opportunities and most pressing challenges in RI.
82.3% of Upsilon II graduates say the LIA project allowed them to engage in community service in an impactful way.
Senior Fellows
100% of 2024 Senior Fellows understand how to make meaningful civic contributions as an older adult in RI
Alumni Engagement
Building a Longer Table
As conveners, LRI’s work brings leaders together in a variety of ways. Whether an intimate dinner of ten, or a nationwide gathering of 300, the focus on connection is always the same.
attendees at ALP Conference
Training & Consulting
Not What You Do,
How You Do It
A decade into the work, LRI’s strengths-based development team continues to find new ways to help organizations meet their mission.
Community Engagement
Time, Talent, Treasure
How can we maximize Rhode Island’s resources to make sustainable change? LRI’s community engagement team helps forge thoughtful partnerships to uplift individuals, communities, and organizations.
Community Engagement
Scavenger Hunt teams
from all 5 counties
Transform RI Scholars
orgs helped us move the TRIS
visions forward this year
Board Matchmaking
people connected
with 100+ RI nonprofits
“The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love – whether we call it friendship or family or romance – is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light.”
JAMES BALDWIN, “Nothing Personal”
VISION OF THE FUTURE
Casting a Beacon – for Rhode Island, and the Nation
As LRI enters its 45th year, opportunities to amplify our work grow brighter, guided by our strategic plan. We continue to develop customized strengths-based trainings to meet the needs of our partners. Through the National Leadership Network, we are partnering with the Association of Leadership Programs and Civity to launch a pilot program aimed at advancing a culture of engaging in relationships across difference. And in the works? LRI’s Civic Activation Network, a hub of expertise, made up of and in collaboration with our biggest asset – our people.
45 Years In Service to Rhode Island
Since 1981, Leadership Rhode Island has grown from a single leadership program into a dynamic organization fostering civic engagement, professional development, and community impact. Through dynamic programming and training services, LRI has empowered thousands of leaders to drive positive change statewide.
Our people are our purpose. Our network of more than 3100 alumni ignite, fuel, and sustain the work that we do.
This year, we graduate our 45th Core Program class, the 2025 Phi IIs.
We celebrate the commitment of our sponsors, our partners, our volunteers, and our donors. Without our community, our work would not be possible.
LEGACY LEADS US FORWARD
Amplifying
Collective Impact
Your support for LRI ensures that we can continue to foster multigenerational leadership, develop essential community partnerships, and offer transformative experiences to individuals, organizations, and communities alike. Help us build a brighter, more connected future.
Alumni
How might you show up for Leadership Rhode Island?
Donors
How might you invest in Leadership Rhode Island?
Partners
How might you make your team stronger?
Deepening Networks:
The Evolution of Connection
Core Program participants report on the level in which they know each member of their cohort, both at the start of the program and again halfway through. In just five months, new connections form and existing connections deepen.
Communicating
704 Connections
Regularly communicating with one another, but maintaining separate resources and responsibilities.
Collaborating
532 Connections
Coordinating individual efforts together to advance shared goals.
Coordinating
201 Connections
Working in partnership to advance shared goals (by combining resources, making shared decisions, or creating something together).
45 Companies and Organizations Trained
