News / Press release
Governor-elect Foulkes Names Leadership Transition Committee Focused on Getting Results for Rhode Island
Nov 10, 2026
PROVIDENCE – Governor-elect Helena Buonanno Foulkes has named 23 individuals to her Leadership Transition Committee as she and her team build the incoming administration with a focus on getting results for Rhode Island.
The Committee is co-chaired by Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera and business leader Bari Harlam. Members will meet during the transition period in November and December to make strategic recommendations to the Governor-elect and her team based on feedback received from Rhode Islanders and the Committee’s members.
The full Leadership Transition Committee includes:
- Mayor Maria Rivera, Central Falls - Co-Chair
- Bari Harlam - Co-Chair
- Maria Barry, RI Housing Board of Commissioners
- Representative Nathan W. Biah, Sr.
- Danny Bianco, LIUNA
- Joanne Chang, Investor, Advisor and Entrepreneur
- David N. Cicilline, President and CEO, Rhode Island Foundation
- Janet Coit, Farm Fresh RI
- Christian Cowan, Executive Director, Polaris
- Pat Crowley, President, Rhode Island AFL-CIO
- Senator Lou DiPalma
- Carrie Bridges Feliz, Vice President, Community Health and Equity, Brown University Health
- Keith Kelly, Rhode Island State President, Citizens Bank
- Billy Libby, Founder and CEO, Upper90
- Jesse Martin, President, SEIU Rhode Island State Council
- Patricia Martinez, Central Falls School District (retired)
- Dr. Sarah Friedman Lowe, Chief of Education, City of Central Falls
- Mike McNally, Granite Construction
- Cortney Nicolato, President and CEO, United Way of Rhode Island
- Paige Parks, Executive Director, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
- Sandi Peterson, healthcare and technology executive and innovator, Operating Partner, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
- Mayor Joe Polisena, Jr., Johnston
- Dr. Pablo Rodriguez, CEO, Nuestra Salud Productions and Associate Professor Emeritus, Warren Alpert Medical School
“When Helena asked me to be co-chair, right away I knew that I could bring a different perspective. I bring the perspective of a young girl who grew up in a household where English wasn’t the first language, the perspective of a mayor who leads a small city where parents are trying to make ends meet, trying to decide whether to pay rent or put food on the table, where families work incredibly hard every day, where small businesses are trying to succeed and where people just want an opportunity to build a better future for their children,” said Mayor Rivera, co-chair. “As members of the Leadership Transition Committee, we aren’t just here to help Helena fill positions or put together an administration. We’re here to help her build a team that will keep the families of Rhode Island at the forefront when decisions are being made.”
“I’m honored to be asked to serve on the Governor-elect’s Leadership Transition Committee.” said Ms. Harlam, co-chair. “I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Helena, and I know firsthand that she leads with compassion and a commitment to making a difference. Our committee will bring recommendations to the Governor-elect and her team to make real, lasting, meaningful change in Rhode Island for the benefit of all its residents.”
“Over the past week, my transition team has already heard from hundreds of Rhode Islanders offering their thoughts, ideas, feedback, hopes, concerns, and everything in between. It has been energizing to hear from so many residents, and to learn what everyone believes is working and isn’t working,” said Governor-elect Foulkes. “We’ve also received hundreds of expressions of interest in working together for Rhode Island as we build a team that gets results – results to lower costs, expand housing, create opportunities for good paying jobs, and give our kids the best education. My incoming administration’s Leadership Transition Committee will focus on providing strategic recommendations around the issues that matter most to our residents. Over the past few years, I have had the chance to talk to so many Rhode Islanders about what’s on their mind. I have listened and learned, and now, we need to focus on the work of delivering real results on behalf of our residents.”
Media contact: press@helenatransition.com