Melissa Emidy

Executive Director

Melissa is the Executive Director of Inspiring Minds. Prior to joining the Inspiring Minds team in October 2017, Melissa was the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grant Officer at the Rhode Island Department of Education, Association Director of School Age Child Care at the Hockomock Area YMCA, and Operations Director at the Providence Youth Services branch of the YMCA of Greater Providence. Melissa received a B.S. in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a M.S. in Nonprofit Management, from Northeastern University. Melissa is passionate about youth development, education, and community development. Melissa lives in Woonsocket with her husband Jeff, and her son, Calvin.

Sokeo Ros

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sokeo Ros, M.Ed is the Executive Director of Inspiring Minds. Sokeo has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector and has been working with young people and communities since the age of 16. He served as the Director and founder of Case Closed! (2004-2021), Artist/Creator/Co-Artistic Director of Everett Company Stage and School (1999-2021, Co-Artistic Director for 2 years), Manager of Equity and Implementation/Lead Artist at Children’s Youth Cabinet (2018-2020), and Director of Moore Hall at Providence College (2021-2023). As an artist, Sokeo has been performing, teaching, and working with communities throughout his professional career. In 2016, Sokeo was awarded Rhode Island Monthly’s Best Documentary Theater for this solo show and was invited to perform/speak at TedxTalk Providence 2016. Academically, he has worked with students in middle schools to help them cope and understand their trauma in collaboration with the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS). He also worked, for 5 years, with incarcerated youth in Massachusetts in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services. Sokeo received his Bachelor of Science from College Unbound and his Master of Education degree in the Urban Education Program from Providence College. He is currently a faculty member of the Urban Education Program at Providence College and a professor at College Unbound. Sokeo is presently enrolled in the Johnson & Wales Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and is looking forward to graduating in May of 2025.

Betty Clinton

FINANCE AND OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Betty is the Finance Director at Inspiring Minds. Betty holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Liberia, a M.B.A. from Johnson and Wales University, and a certificate of Human Resource Management from Bryant University. She has worked in many non-profit organizations including Southside Cultural Center, Lutheran World Relief, The Genesis Center, Providence CityArts for Youth, and Crossroads RI. In her free time, Betty enjoys traveling, gardening and volunteering with community organizations.

Emily Markovitz

Director of Student Enrichment

Emily brings to Inspiring Minds 15 years of experience in early education and out-of-school time programs as a teacher, director, and education coordinator. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Special Education and is committed to supporting education and affirming the interests and lives of students in RI, whose public schools have educated every generation of her family since their emigration to the US. Emily loves being out with her family around Providence (though finds it’s impossible to engage with everything the community offers!), reading, and playing board games.

Shannon Smith

Director of Mindfulness Education

Shannon is the Director of Mindfulness Education of the ResilientKids mindfulness-based social and emotional learning curriculum. She was a classroom teacher for 17 years and has been a part of the ResilientKids Program for 9 years. She is excited to share these essential life skills that will help students (and teachers) navigate life’s stressors while managing their emotions and learning to be resilient. Shannon has a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University and a Bachelors of Science in Education, Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the University of Nebraska. She grew up in Nebraska, but has been an east coast resident for the last 25 years. She enjoys traveling and visiting new places. Shannon loves snow and relishes in free time to read a new book, explore an antique store, or use her creativity. Her strong mindfulness practice keeps her grounded in the present moment.

Matthew Buckley

Manager of In-School Tutoring and Mentoring

Matt is the Manager of In-School Tutoring and Mentoring for Inspiring Minds. He has a degree in Liberal Arts and a passion for community development. He brings with him five years of international education experience, working with international NGO’s and children across the world–from Cambodia to South Africa. He strongly believes that every individual deserves access to opportunity and a strong support system to help them reach their full potential. Matt is thrilled to join Inspiring Minds and to continue his passion of working with students and volunteers! In his free time he enjoys nature, hiking, being on the water, and sports, among other things.

Kia Minor

DIRECTOR OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION

Kia comes to Inspiring Minds with 8 years of youth mentorship experience through coaching college basketball and teaching middle school. Kia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Sport Business Management. She is passionate about creating an environment for all students to be seen and supported regardless of their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status.

Annabelle Carrascoza

Finance and Admin Assistant

Annabelle is the Finance and Admin Assistant for Inspiring Minds. She is originally from the Dominican Republic where she got a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from INTEC. She has more than 15 years experience in management and finances from working in hospitality. She was part of the non-profit organization Providence Swings where she was a treasurer for 4 years. In her free time, she loves to spend  time with her family and friends, especially with her son.

Stephanie van Sprang

FUND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Stephanie comes to Inspiring Minds with over 6.5 years of experience in philanthropy, non-profit management, and social impact. She is originally from the Netherlands where she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design Engineering and a Master’s degree in Integrated Product Design. She is dedicated to addressing and overcoming social challenges.

Michelle Petrarca

ResilientKids Instructor

Michelle Petrarca is a ResilientKids Instructor at Inspiring Minds. She was born and raised in Guatemala City. She graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts, a B.A. in Hospitality and Restaurant Management and a Masters in International Business. Since she was in college, she has discovered that she loves teaching. After being a stay at home mom for several years, she realized that she wanted to get back in the classrooms so she started substitute teaching. Her passion for teaching has continued to grow along with her knowledge and practice of mindfulness. Michelle recently completed two new mindfulness courses through Little Flower Yoga and she is hoping to embed this new knowledge into her ResilientKids classes. In her free time, she enjoy taking care of my family, exercise and feeding other people’s souls through cooking. Michelle strongly believes we all need to take care of our mental health and she loves helping others find their inner light.

Sarah Hopp

ResilientKids Instructor

Sarah is a ResilientKids^TM Instructor at Inspiring Minds. She graduated from the Evergreen State College in 2016 with a B.A. in Writing, Education, and the Social Sciences and since then, has worked with youth in schools as a classroom assistant and as an academic coach for GRAVITY, a drop-in center for young adults working to obtain their GED.  Sarah has also helped run a structured support group through the YWCA that focused on resiliency, female development, relational theory and skillbuilding. Sarah is deeply passionate about the intersections between mental health, education, and social justice and enjoys sharing what she’s learned with others. She has completed trainings in nonviolent communication and domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy, and has spent much time developing personal practices and philosophies around mindfulness and social-emotional healing. In her free time she loves to go on long nature walks, practice the guitar, and spend time cooking and gathering with her friends and loved ones.

Chrissy Collins

ResilientKids Instructor

Chrissy Collins was raised in Massachusetts and ever since she was a young child, she always wanted to be a teacher. She enjoyed “playing teacher” with her best friend. She graduated with a Masters degree in Counseling and a CEIS with goal of working with in Early Intervention teaching parents and young children. She has been practicing for 27 years and continues to love and fill passionate about what she is doing. In Early Intervention, Chrissy specializes in teaching families about development, supporting staff utilizing the PIWI philosophy and running support groups.

Chrissy has a private practice where she supports families on their parenting journey. She often utilizes her mindfulness skills to help guide families. Her goal is help families become more confident with their parenting so that they can have fun as a family!

Chrissy has cultivated her own personal mindfulness practice by establishing a daily routine of meditation, attending yearly yoga retreats and completing a Little Flower yoga training. Chrissy’s mindfulness teachings have been rooted in the Resilient Kids^TM curriculum that focuses on social emotional learning and mindfulness-based techniques.

Diane Madsen

ResilientKids Instructor

Diane is delighted to be joining the Inspiring Minds community as a ResilientKids^TM instructor. She was a special education teacher for 13 years and prior to that was culinary instructor at Johnson & Wales University for 10 years. Diane has a Masters of Education in Elementary and Special Education from Johnson & Wales University and Certificate of Graduate Studies in Autism Education from Rhode Island College. She provides a wide range of life experiences around mindfulness, wellness, and education. She believes teaching social and emotional learning through mindfulness-based techniques helps students manage stress and develop inner-resilience to navigate their lives. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering outdoors through the URI master gardener & food recovery programs. She continues to use her own mindfulness practice to navigate through life’s many challenges.