Our People

BOARD 

Nick Scappaticci, Managing Director and Founder, BIG DREAMS – President

Sara Ossana, Founder, Studio MO – Vice President

Deborah McDonough, VP of Marketing, Bradford Soap Works Inc – Treasurer

Jo Lee, Founder, Pop-Up Rhody – Secretary 

Sophie Weston Chien, Designer-Activist, Harvard GSD MLA ‘23

Amy Devers, Host + Producer, Clever Podcast

Kirtley Fisher, Assistant Teaching Professor, College of Business, University of Rhode Island 

Manan Narang, Founder, Indo-made

Yemi Sekoni, President of Donahue Models & Talent, LLC

Wendy MoMa Michel, NeuroArts specialist, Founder of MINDART, Creative Wellness Research Lab

Moises Valcarcel Gonzalez, Job Captain at DBVW Architects, Co-founder of Rhode Island Minorities in Architecture & Design (RIMIAD)

 

TEAM

Berit Lavender
Co-Director
Director of Internal Relations
berit@designxri.com

Berit Lavender (she/her) is a design enthusiast/nerd with interests ranging from jello molds to accessible design. Previous to joining DESIGNxRI Berit spent 8 years as director of exhibitions and programs at the Center for Architecture in NYC where she oversaw the execution of projects that sought to expose the wider public to design and built environment concerns through topics that included affordable housing, Hip-Hop Architecture, and scaffolding.

Rue Sakayama
Co-Director
Director of External Relations
rue@designxri.com

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.

Rikki Davis
Development Manager
rikkidavis@designxri.com

Rikki Davis (they/them) is a singer, a ceramicist, an organizer, and an educator living and working in Providence, RI. Fun Rikki Facts include: 1) They’re fluent in IPA (the international phonetic alphabet) /ɑ͡ɪbɛtjɔ͡ɚd͡ʒɛləs/, 2) They never outgrew their horse girl phase 3) They’re in training to specialize in gender-affirming voice therapy  and 4) Their favorite foods are brussel sprouts and grocery store vanilla cake.

Photo of Reba Mitchell

Reba Mitchell
Programs and Events Manager
reba@designxri.com

Reba Mitchell (she/her) is a musician, midwesterner, and gender theory aficionado. Prior to joining DESIGNxRI Reba designed events with Machines With Magnets, The Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy, and multitudinous artists. 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, opening tabs from Bon Appetit, pursuing an MA in English, and composing vocal music. 

Anna Brinkhuis
Marketing and Operations Associate
anna@designxri.com

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.

CO-FOUNDERS

Lisa Carnevale, Co-Founder, DESIGNxRI

Emily Hall, Charrette Venture Group

Libby Slader, Libby Slader Interior Design

Kelly Taylor, Kelly Taylor Interior Design

DxRI