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Our People

Our Team

Islay Taylor
Executive Director
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Islay Taylor (she/her) believes that meaningful connections between people are what spark real change. She’s an arts administrator and educator with over a decade of experience building inclusive, community-driven creative programs right here in Rhode Island. Outside the DxRI office, you can find her hiking, talking to her houseplants, or guiding a mindfulness-based yoga class. Her secret talent? Scoring ridiculously cheap plane tickets, she’s usually planning her next adventure on her lunch break.

Rue Sakayama
Director of Operations and Storytelling
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Rue Sakayama (she/her) is a photographer, artist, and all-around plant enthusiast. When she’s not working with the team at DESIGNxRI or capturing moments behind the lens, you can catch her concocting potions with medicinal plants, gliding gracefully on roller skates through the streets of Providence, and embarking on gluten-free food adventures in the scrumptious food oasis that is Rhode Island.

Reba Mitchell
Programs Director
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Reba Mitchell is a musician, midwesterner, and gender theory enthusiast. Prior to joining DESIGNxRI Reba designed events with Machines With Magnets, The Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy, and multitudinous local DIY venues. Recipient of a coveted Earphones Award, she has narrated over 300 audiobooks. A former resident of the Dirt Palace and longtime board member of RIOT RI (née Girls Rock! Rhode Island), Reba spends her down time practicing rudiments on her electronic drum kit, pursuing scholarship around gender and sound, and teaching Gender & Women’s Studies and Arts & Creative Industries at Bryant University.

Devanshi Ved
Programs and Events Manager
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Devanshi Ved is a lover of nature, community spaces, art, and big ideas. She loves to travel, go on adventures, and learn new things! Prior to joining DESIGNxRI, Devanshi has worked in events and public programming for 7 years with 195 District Park, WaterFire Providence, and many other local event projects, after getting a specialized degree in Sports, Entertainment, and Event Management from Johnson & Wales University. Devanshi loves learning about the Design Community in Rhode Island, and engaging in her love for creating community spaces!

Anna Brinkhuis
Marketing and Graphics Creator
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Anna Brinkhuis (she/her) is a graphic designer, wanna-be interior decorator, and recent Brown graduate in Religious Studies and International and Public Affairs. At college, she served as Design Editor for the Indy and Design Chair for the Muslim Students’ Association. When she’s not starting a new crafting project for the third time this month, Anna can be found in the pool, at Nostalgia buying more mugs for her already excessive collection, or scouring estate sales for mid-century modern aquisitions that her friends still fail to appreciate. Her very practical talents include driving stick and still fitting into kids’ shoe sizes.