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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.
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