Chairperson, Barbara Colt
Secretary, Emily Olson
Treasurer, April Ruedaflores
Meet the TWP Staff
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Barbara Colt (she/her) is a longtime advocate and activist promoting true equality for women including comprehensive reproductive health care. Former Board chair of the R.I. Women’s Political Caucus and Planned Parenthood of R.I. Board member, Women’s Development Corp. and former Executive Director of the R.I. Community Health Center Association.
Ryan Fontaine (she/her) is at the start of a new career in health policy and education at a large Rhode Island health center after a decade working in business communications and event management. She is a life-long Rhode Islander and summa cum laude graduate of Bentley University. Being an out trans woman in an age of unprecedented attacks has driven Ryan to put her skills to work advancing rights to healthcare access and bodily autonomy.
Jocelyn Foye is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Womxn Project and the Co-Founder and Chair of the Womxn Project Education Fund. More of her bio can be found on the Staff page.
Jocelyn’s continued mission is to bring her artistic training and experience to the artivist movement that champions and includes all persons.
Aura Fajardo Grandidge (she/her/ella) is a first generation Venezuelan, living in Rhode Island for over 20 years, and is the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Student Success Initiatives for the College of the Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island. Aura is Biologist by training, and an educator/student success advocate by vocation. She works closely with student and academic affairs offices to develop and implement strategies to support students historically excluded from science and medicine, and to provide opportunities for research and experiential learning. She serves as a member of the University of Rhode Island’s Health Professions Advisory Committee. On a personal note, she is a mother of 3 teens and an Irish Wolfhound, an avid traveler, choral singer, and scuba diver.
Michelle Green (she/her) is happiest wandering nature with her husband, two sons and dog. She’s an avid camper, fisher and all-around nature lover. When she’s not in the woods, she works in the administrative side of healthcare and volunteers her free time to supporting her community schools and youth sports programs.
Emily Olson (she/her) is a writer, editor and educator who has lived in Rhode Island for more than a decade. She’s managed or been involved with several local arts-related publications, including Motif magazine, Ave. magazine and Chazan! Unfiltered, a biographical graphic novel, which was written and illustrated by local artists. She also is an educator at RIMOSA and leads local Tinkergarten sessions at Slater Park in Pawtucket.
Lisa Utman Randall (she/her) has been a leader in the non-profit, arts and culture sector in Rhode Island for over thirty years. First as co-founder of Island Arts in Newport starting in 1991, then as the Founding Executive Director of the Jamestown Arts Center, followed by the position of Executive Director of the United Theatre in Westerly – with many adventures in between including a stint as Director of Development for RiverzEdge Arts Project. As a journalist she has written for Newport Mercury, Edible Rhody, and the Philanthropists’ Journal – among other publications. Lisa has written poetry since she was a child and has been plant based for over three decades. Her curiosity and love of learning have led her to certifications in Montessori education, medicinal herbalism, plant-based nutrition and most recently Reiki. Currently, she is working as a consultant to non-profits as a strategist, creator of development and promotional content, and advisor.
April Ruedaflores (she/her) is an Integrated Marketing Communications Lead for Signify, where she has the responsibility of managing the Marcom and Digital Marketing team for the US division. Over the past few years, April has been an activity member of the DEI and Unidos communities within the organization and has had numerous speaking engagements to help enable women and Latinas to reach their full potential. Having a love for family, friends and travel, April embraces challenges as they come and lives every day to the fullest.
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Stephanie Olarte (she/her/ella) is a first-generation American and proud daughter of a Colombian Immigrant. Stephanie was born and raised in Rhode Island where she acts as the RI State Program Coordinator for the Hispanic Federation where she develops programs to uplift and empower the Latinx community. Stephanie is the Founder and Executive Director of Caneiwalk, an organization that seeks to empower youth with disabilities and provide opportunities for leadership development.
Jennifer Rourke (she/her) is a mother and activist who has been fighting for the most marginalized for years. She grew up in low-income housing to teenage parents, and went on to graduate with a degree in Healthcare Management.
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