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Our People

Our Team

Islay Taylor
Executive Director
[email protected]

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
[email protected]

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.

Anna Brinkhuis
Marketing and Graphics Creator
[email protected]

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.