Kristine Merz

Kristine Merz (she/her) is a versatile entrepreneur and expert in human-centered research and design, passionate about driving impactful transformations in people’s lives. As the founder and president of Orange Square, a certified WBENC woman-owned business, she has been delivering award-winning brand transformations for over 23 years, using tried-and-true methods to help organizations discover, define, and deliver new brand strategies and identities. She is also the author of “Shift,” a book that explores how to lead change through human-centered innovation. In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Kristine serves on the Board of Farm Fresh RI, demonstrating her commitment to the community, striving towards a shared vision of a better, more equitable future for all.

Mary Sadlier

Mary Sadlier is President of (add)ventures a strategic and creative branding agency in East Providence. For clients, she’s led marketing strategy, social media and innovative creative processes. Collaborating with CEO Stephen Rosa, she now leads the agency’s next expansion phase, building on past successes and embracing a human-kind of AI with visionary leadership and deep institutional knowledge.

Tejal Tarro

Tejal Tarro is the Facilitator for Human Transformation at half full, llc. With over 25 years of experience in organizational development, change management, facilitation, and coaching, she designs emotionally agile learning experiences that empower leaders through strengths-based coaching, inclusive engagement, and authentic influence . She is known for her empathetic listening, mindfulness practice, and advocacy for equity in workplaces.

Elizabeth Browning Jackson

Elizabeth Browning Jackson studied at The Rhode Island School of Design, University of New Mexico, and Capella Garden, Sweden, graduating from the San Francisco Art Institute. Since her mother studied at the Bauhaus under László Moholy-Nagy and her father’s family was involved with textiles in New England, it was only natural for her to translate her sculpture into furniture and rugs. Her innovative rug designs of the 1980s moved “art off the wall and put it on the floor” and transformed floor coverings “out of the rectangle and . . . into playful spirals, graphic splashes, waves, and geometric forms.

After being introduced to Rick Kaufman and Art et Industrie, she was offered a solo show in September 1982. Jackson’s early furniture and textile work utilized industrial materials – automotive paints and vinyl from Canal Street hardware stores, fiberglass, and acrylic yarns. Later, Jackson’s work evolved into minimalist bent steel and luxurious wool. Jackson’s analog design process, which did not require rendering software, created animated works about movement. She has shown throughout the United States and internationally in Paris and Tokyo. The artist’s works are held in private and museum collections and published in books such as Artists Design Furniture by Denise Domergue and early editions of the International Design Yearbook as well as periodicals Financial Times and The New York Times. Elizabeth Browning Jackson lives and works in Rhode Island.

Savaree “Sav” Hazard-Chaney

Savaree “Sav” Hazard-Chaney is a 401-based, self-taught artist whose work navigates the intersections of culture, community, and design. Through fibers,textiles and creative activations, Sav brings stories,memories and lots of nostalgia to life with a unique and vibrant perspective. Her passion for rug tufting led her to establish TuftxPVD, Rhode Island’s first Black, Queer, and Woman-owned rug tufting studio.

TuftxPVD offers a unique creative space for folks to explore the art of rug tufting. Students participate in hands-on, artist-led workshops designed to teach the essentials of rug tufting from start to finish, regardless of experience level.

With a strong commitment to community Sav hopes her experience and knowledge will help inspire not only the fiber arts community but also other young black entrepreneurs.

Emily Frye

Born and raised in Michigan, Emily Frye has almost always been found with a camera in hand. Her passion for photography began early with a simple disposable camera but truly took shape in high school, where she photographed for the yearbook and her brother’s baseball team. What started as documenting games quickly grew into an exploration of capturing emotions, expressions, and the stories behind each moment.

Since then, Emily has built an impressive body of work, photographing everything from presidential campaigns, protests, and championships to engagements, fashion shows, creative shoots, and even the fastest two minutes in sports. While living in Louisville, Kentucky, she had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with an incredible community of creatives, further deepening her craft and perspective.

Through these experiences, Emily has come to believe that photography is far more than pressing a shutter, it is about creating art, telling stories, and preserving moments in time.

Hayley Pires

Hayley Pires is a multidisciplinary designer based out of Newport, Rhode Island. Utilizing her unique perspective and out-of-the-box thinking to deliver strategic brand insights and design has earned her a name in the field. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Packaging Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, she worked for global design studios working on well-known brands such as PepsiCo, CVS, P&G and Campari Group. Not only has she designed for big brands, she also worked with growing small businesses. This diversity has allowed her to develop skills for large scale projects, while still maintaining great passion for the smaller ones.

After spending 10 years in New York City, it was time to get back to her roots and make Newport home again. Her goal has been to connect with local businesses and immerse herself in growing the design community here in Rhode Island.