Juan Catala
Juan Catala
Entrepreneur, Real Estate
Friday, September 6th, 9AM - 2:00PM | Lt. Governor's "Back to School, Back to Business!" Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp
Sterling Clinton Spellman
Sterling Clinton Spellman
Entrepreneur & Author, The Incred-a-Bowl Food Company
Speaker, Author, Success Alchemist & Consultant, Entrepreneur, Mentor and Youth Advocate. My mission? It's all about weaving together the worlds of business brilliance and personal transformation. "Cultivating Visionaries to Live Profitable Lives by providing them with the tools, resources, network, and accountability."
Friday, September 6th, 9AM - 2:00PM | Lt. Governor's "Back to School, Back to Business!" Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp
Carrie Zaslow
Carrie Zaslow
Executive Director, Providence Revolving Fund
Friday, September 6th, 1:30PM - 2:20PM | Funding Your Vision Panel
Helena Moronta
Helena Moronta
First Vice President Community Development Diversity Equity Inclusion Officer, Bay Coast Bank
Ms. Moronta First Vice President of Community Development, DEI Officer at BayCoast Bank, has over 20 years in finance. She excels in team building, curriculum development, and policy implementation, with a strong record in driving sales and improvements. She serves on multiple boards and is deeply committed to community service and youth empowerment.
Friday, September 6th, 1:30PM - 2:20PM | Funding Your Vision Panel
Cheryl Galloway
Cheryl Galloway
AVP Community Development Officer, Bristol County Savings Bank
Friday, September 6th, 1:30PM - 2:20PM | Funding Your Vision Panel
Cristopher Rafael Llópiz Osorio
Cristopher Rafael Llópiz Osorio
President, Puerto Rican Professional Association of Rhode Island (PRPARI) & Financial Solution Advisor.
Cristopher Llópiz is a Financial Solution Advisor at a leading financial institution in the country, Commissioner in the Providence Human Relation Commission (PHRC), and President of the Puerto Rican Professional Association of RI. With over five years of experience in the financial industry, Cris has guided numerous individuals and business owners toward achieving their goals. He firmly believes that the future of entrepreneurship in the U.S. will be shaped by diverse cultural backgrounds, and that education within communities is key to navigating this change.
Friday, September 6th, 1:30PM - 2:20PM | Funding Your Vision Panel
Melba Depeña Affigne
Melba Depeña Affigne
Vice President of Economic Development, Skills for Rhode Island's Future
Melba is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island where she received a B.A. in Political Science and a Masters in Human Development and Family Studies. Melba's career is a testament to her dedication to social impact and community development. With over two decades of experience, she has made significant strides in advancing and promoting equity and fostering civic engagement in Rhode Island. In her current role as the VP of Economic Development at Skills For Rhode Island’s Future, Melba leads the RI Small Business Hub. This initiative plays a crucial role in providing technical assistance and capacity training to women and minority-owned businesses, helping them thrive in a competitive landscape. Her work continues to make a tangible difference in the local economy and in the lives of many entrepreneurs.
Friday, September 6th, 1:30PM - 2:20PM | Funding Your Vision Panel
Riley Jones IV
Riley Jones IV
Co-founder/ Aspen Institute Future Climate Leader, Sector Software
Riley Jones, IV is a doctoral student at Harvard Graduate School of Education focusing on economic access and innovation. As a co-founder of Sector Software, he earned recognition as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur in 2019. In 2021, he was appointed as Professor of Practice and Robin Richards Donohoe Social Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. He received a B.A. from Columbia University, a Masters in Education Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.
Friday, September 6th, 2:30PM - 4PM | Breaking New Ground: Opportunities for Equity In Emerging Industries Panel
Priscilla De La Cruz
Priscilla De La Cruz
Director of Sustainability
Friday, September 6th, 2:30PM - 4PM | Breaking New Ground: Opportunities for Equity In Emerging Industries Panel
Shonte Davidson
Shonte Davidson
CEO, Better Together Brain Trust (d/b/a BT2 Energy)
Shonté Davidson, co-founder of Better Together Brain Trust (d/b/a BT2 Energy), has an eleven-year career in the energy sector, focusing on program implementation, channel management, and supplier diversity. BT2 Energy, driven by a mission to leverage energy for community building, specializes in electrification transportation and building decarbonization. They recently secured a contract with the city of Boston to install curbside EV charging stations. Growing up in an environmental justice community, Shonté is committed to inclusivity in the electrification revolution. She holds a B.A. from the University of Rhode Island and certifications including CSDP, CDP, PMP, BEP, and CEA.