Fall 2016 Gallup: RI a global strengths leader By Frank Prosnitz ’96 Leadership Rhode Island’s Make RI Stronger initiative is making a differ- ence, not only in America but world- wide. “Rhode Island has a chance to lead the country,” says Mario Cirillo ’15, who is determined that the charter school he heads in Providence will be- high school. comeCirillo, the who state’s heads first the strengths-based Academy for Career Exploration, says that Gallup, the organization that developed the StrengthsFinder Assessment, sees Rhode Island as a leader globally. Widespread awareness of Rhode Island’s efforts became apparent when With a quote from Roger Williams in the background, Paul Allen, Gallup’s strengths Mike Ritz ’07, LRI’s executive director, evangelist, tells attendees at the first Global Strengths Summit that Rhode Island is Continued on Page 9 “an inspiration” for the worldwide movement. Finding common ground at Jeffersonian Dinners By Nancy Kirsch ’94 Invitations to Leadership Rhode Island’s Jeffersonian Dinners may be easier to score than Broadway tickets to Hamilton, but they are rap- idly becoming a smash hit as well, according to several participants. Unlike a typical dinner party at which most guests know one an- other and chat in small groups, a Jeffersonian Dinner features a di- verse gathering of eight to 10 people often unfamiliar with each other. Together the guests focus on a single discussion topic, prompted by a question invitees ponder before they arrive. Shameem Awan ’15 dons a Colonial-style wig and LRI recruits the hosts, develops the guest lists, picks the discussion uses a quill pen to sign the Declaration of Indepen- topic and moderates the ensuing conversation. Side chitchat is dis- dence at a Jeffersonian Dinner hosted by Michael couraged or, as LRI Executive Director Mike Ritz ’07 puts it, “Attend- Lester ’13. Continued on Page 12 Leadership Rhode Island For Alpha, re-engaging Saying goodbye to Stan 1570 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02909 Alumni use Facebook to share memories of great LRI champion 401-273-1574 a ‘phenomenal experience’ www.leadershipri.org Stan DeAngelis ’90, one listen to Stan for hours and By Jim Farley ’81 of Leadership Rhode Island’s hours (and hours) talk about 2016 Board of Governors You might call me a pioneer – perhaps greatest champions and the all of you and your activities Pamela Alarie ’05 even a guinea pig – because I was a mem- recipient of the 2015 LRI Vol- when I would visit ... He loved Chair unteer Award, died Aug. 15. his time with LRI and he Paul Oliveira ’07 Home from the hospital loved being with you. On be- Vice Chair offeringber of the input first for class what of Leadership the Mu IIs see, Rhode in early August and aware half of the DeAngelis Family, Ted Shallcross ’11 hearIsland. and Thirty-five do on their years monthly later, Isession am back, that the cancer he thought he may I say thank you for your Treasurer days as a member of the 2016 Core Pro- had defeated had returned sharing ... we feel the love, Shanna Marzilli ’08 gram Committee. with a vengeance, Stan re- which is all so important any- Secretary What prompted me to re-engage? Lead- quested that friends come by time, but especially at times Nicole Benjamin ’13 ership RI sent out an alumni survey a for visits. The plan changed like this.” Member-At-Large while ago which, among the questions, quickly when Stan realized Stan DeAngelis ’90 embraced the circus theme of LRI’s 35th Before he died, Stan, his ’12 Stephen Duvel asked if there was interest in getting in- that personal visits were too anniversary celebration last fall, joining members of the wife Deb and Ritz talked Member-At-Large volved. I checked yes. exhausting. vintage dance troupe Chifferobe for this photo. about starting a scholarship Angela Ankoma ’14 Above: Jim Farley That’s when Lorne Adrain fund in his name for LRI’s Alec Beckett ’11 like to interview some applicants for the mates and others to connect LRI’s legacy investment ac- joins the Mu II ’94 asked Leadership Rhode Core Program. Stan loved the Mitchell Edwards ’11 nextThen class? came That’s the first how request. I started Would on this I online,” said Ritz. count. class on a visit to Island’s Mike Ritz ’07 to idea because it will support Bob Ferreira ’11 new journey, one that keeps me looking There were plenty of pho- Dozens of alumni respond- Matunuck Oyster create a way for friends and entrepreneurs connected to Angella Franklin ’13 forward but also backward. The LRI that tos to choose from because ed. “Stan’s commitment to Farm. Left: A photo family to express their ad- the Social Enterprise Green- Mario Hilario ’05 exists today is a far more sophisticated Stan remained active with Leadership Rhode Island has of Farley from his miration on Facebook. “The house, a startup incubator Sulina Mohanty CLRI ’06 operation, with big ideas, alumni involve- LRI after graduating in 1990. been unparalleled. His smile, Alpha days in 1981. wonderful thing about Stan which Stan followed through Baldev Seekri ment, community projects, and lots of ...” went up Aug. 5. He was elected to LRI’s passion, and enthusiasm – all its development with great Staff planning sessions. “I’ve never seen social Board of Governors, serving will be remembered with enthusiasm. Mike Ritz ’07 There was no interview panel for the media used to communicate as vice chair, acting chair and great fondness,” posted Jane If you’d like to make a dona- Executive Director with someone in hospice, but chairman. Nugent ’95. tion in Stan’s memory to the Michelle DePlante ’14 (she liked to call me Jimmy), we’ve selected you to be our representative at Leader- it seemed like a good idea, Before stepping down in “I can’t tell you how deeply DeAngelis Entrepreneur Fund Deputy Director shipAlpha Rhode class inIsland.” 1981. As I recall, my boss called me into her office and said: “Jimmy, so, with Stan’s encourage- 2000, he chaired the fund I am touched,” Stan’s brother of Leadership Rhode Island, Jane Nugent, Ed.D. ’95 This time I joined an alumni panel to interview some of the candidates for the ment, we dug up old Stan development committee and Ken wrote from Texas. “I feel please contact Matt Coupe at Project Advisor 2015 class. We asked thoughtful questions and offered our opinions about whether photos from LRI’s archives raised thousands of dollars like I’m a charter member [email protected] or Joanne Gallogly and started inviting his class- that still generate revenue in of Leadership RI, as I would 401-273-1574. Office Manager The Alpha class started its year with nothing more than a coffee-and-doughnuts Kevin Cooper introductorythe applicants session. would beOh, a how good I fitwish in thewe’d Lambda had a retreat! ll class. Strengths Expeditor I attended opening night dinner at the Mu II retreat at the Alton Jones campus of Matt Coupe CLRI ’12 the University of Rhode Island. The fellowship was overwhelming. Had somebody The wonderful thing about Stan is ... Alumni & Community said, “Jim, why don’t you spend the night?” I would have jumped at the chance. Stan’s Kappa classmates quickly posted comments: John O’Leary – There’s really no way you could forget him Engagement Liaison I am delighted to serve on this year’s planning committee. This is where you get Fran Gast – Stan, you’re the first person I met on the first or that smile. Kim Ramirez into the nitty gritty. I have no idea who planned the program days for the Alpha class, day of orientation. Of course you were, since you intro- Christopher Hurd – He builds businesses from scratch and Program & Events Coordinator but it’s quite a process now. duced yourself to everyone and everyone met each other he builds relationships that will last forever. Newsletter A committee of 14 alumni gathers to plan each program day. For each topic – eco- through you. Diane Spaziani – We all thought Stan was one of our best Barry Couto ’97 nomic development, education, government, etc. – we listen to experts and those Susan Fabrizio – The mere mention of his name brings a friends. That’s how he made us feel. Keith Couto ’09 smile and joy to all who know him. Barbara Shoenfeld – You can’t get near him without being Christine McDermott ’11 Richard Staples – Regardless of how much time had passed pulled in by his aura of warmth and goodness. And you can’t Richard Staples ’90 Muworking IIs to inthe the subject field to learn what’s new, what’s significant, what’s different. Then between visits, it’s like we’d just seen each other the week get away without a big hug (not that you would want to). Carol Young ’92 comesFor me, a lively re-engaging discussion, has withbeen ideas a phenomenal flowing, about experience. interesting ways to introduce the before. Josh Fenton – Stan has always been that person who made If you’ve lost touch, I encourage you to re-engage, too, because Rhode Island’s fu- you feel good. ture leadership depends on all of us. 2 3 DePlante ’14 promoted to deputy director The Mission Continues ... Michelle DePlante ’14, who joined What is your vision/focus for LRI? the LRI staff in 2014 as director of pro- I look forward to developing evalua- Based on Lambda II research, Mu II projects helping communities grams, recently stepped up to become tive methods to determine LRI’s impact – on individuals, teams, organizations, By Jane Nugent ’95 director.