2026 Inspiring Leaders Awards Luncheon

News

LRI In the News

Leadership, everyone agrees RI needs it; but where are the leaders?

A gutsy business advocate changed the course of Providence history in 1978 when he embraced an idea that had been rejected time and again for a century — moving the railroad tracks that split downtown,...
LRI In the News

AN OPEN LETTER TO LRI FROM ED FITZPATRICK, PROVIDENCE JOURNAL COLUMNIST

I asked Dunkelman what a group such as Leadership Rhode Island could do to strengthen those networks... he said that he has lived in Rhode Island for 18 months now and he has noticed two seemingly contradictory things.
Make RI Stronger News

Initiative seeks to boost Rhode Islanders’ self-esteem, reduce ‘disengagement’ of workers

"We're negative, pessimistic and have a low self-esteem," said Mike Ritz (LRI '07), executive director of Leadership Rhode Island, who announced the group's "Make RI Stronger" initiative at a luncheon on Thursday.
LRI Opinion

Leaders must be positive about R.I.

Do you agree with Governor Chafee's claim that Rhode Island is getting stronger with each day, each week and each year?
LRI In the News

Leadership Rhode Island class debates pros, cons of Constitutional Convention

They debated in the committee rooms and again on the House floor. Had it all been real, the votes they took would have sent three high-profile issues to the ballot for voters to decide in November.
LRI In the News

Struggling Rhode Island city seeks to revialize itself by selling historical chocolate bar

Mike Ritz (LRI '07) said his chocolate bar project — separate from plans for the park — is part of a broader effort at Leadership Rhode Island to help revitalize Central Falls.
LRI In the News

Rhode Island Non-Profit of the Year 2014

Leadership. It's been a major theme of 2014, from campaigns to community needs. With Rhode Island consistently ranked at the bottom of business and economic rankings, discussions center around how leaders can pull the state out of its current position move it forward.

Now in its 33rd year, LeadershipRI continues to both train future leaders, and have an impact on a wide range of Rhode Islanders. Just who has come out of the leadership training program in the state?
LRI In the News

Leadership RI opens path to Rocky Point history

As the old song lyric goes, “Sign, sign, everywhere a sign,” and thanks to an ambitious project by Leadership Rhode Island, historic informational signs will soon be constructed throughout Rocky Point Park.
Make RI Stronger News

Celebrating and Developing the Strengths of ‘The Greatest Lil’ State on Earth’

Nearly 1,000 leaders from across the state of Rhode Island recently attended an event billed as “the first statewide strengths-based event ever,” the next step in Leadership Rhode Island’s strategy to improve life for Rhode Islanders.
Make RI Stronger News

Rhode Island Wants to Be the First “Strengths-Based State”

Gallup found that Rhode Island had the sixth lowest percentage of engaged employees in the nation. Engaged workers are involved in and enthusiastic about their work. They are passionate and creative, and their enthusiasm fuels growth and innovation.

To attack this problem, LRI embarked on a multiyear initiative to boost engagement in Rhode Island workplaces. Ritz says the organization uses the Clifton StrengthsFinder (CSF) as a tool to strengthen engagement and enable Rhode Island to be the first strengths-based state in the country.