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.

Audrey Bright

Program Director

Audrey is the Program Director of Inspiring Minds. After being a lead teacher for 13 years, Audrey worked 7 years as a Child Development Supervisor at Children’s Friend. Audrey believes that every child has the ability to succeed and strives to help our youth gain the tools they need to meet their potential and dreams. Audrey holds a Bachelor’s in Communication and Masters in the Art of Teaching in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, both from Trinity University in Washington, DC. She has also volunteered for 18 years with youth ministries in many different communities. Her passion to see positive self-awareness and student success is what drives her advocacy for racial and educational equity.

Betty Clinton

BUSINESS MANAGER

Betty is the Business and Finance Manager 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 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.

Shannon Smith

Program Director, Resilient Kids

Shannon is the Program Director of the ResilientKids mindfulness-based social and emotional learning curriculum. She was a classroom teacher for 17 years and spent the past 7 years working for Center for Resilience. She is thrilled to be joining the Inspiring Minds team and is excited to share essential life skills that will help students 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. Shannon 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.

Wila Matos

Program Coordinator

Wila is the Workforce Development Program Coordinator for Inspiring Minds and a recent University of Rhode Island graduate. While pursuing her B.A. in Africana Studies, Wila worked as an English Support Specialist for The Met High School to help students develop their language skills and adjust to the transition of arriving in a new country. She has also served as a mentor for middle school students at The College Crusade of Rhode Island and an 8th grade English Teacher at Breakthrough Providence. Wila spent the past six months in Praia, Cabo Verde teaching English, and is now fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean Creole.

Matthew Buckley

Volunteer Coordinator

Matt is the Volunteer Coordinator 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.

Kirsten Murphy

Resilientkids^TM Instructor

Kirsten Murphy moved to Providence, RI in 2014 after residing in Asheville, NC for a decade prior, where she attended Warren Wilson College for undergrad and Western Carolina University for a MAT/teacher certification program. Kirsten began her career as a public school special education teacher outside Detroit, MI, has worked as a music instructor for children, and most recently was employed as a TANF/RIWORKS case manager in workforce development. She is very excited to be working where her passion lies, teaching SEL and Mindfulness to public school students as a resilientkids^TM instructor  with Inspiring Minds. Kirsten is also a foster parent, a member of the Racial Equity and Diversity Team at her children’s PVD public school, loves to bike around the city and run into creatures from big nazo, sing karaoke, and go to the many beautiful beaches in Rhode Island as much as possible, even in the winter!

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.

Katie DaRosa

ResilientKids Social Emotional Learning Instructor

Katie is very excited to be joining the Inspiring Minds community as a ResilientKids^TM Social Emotional Learning instructor. She provides a wide range of experiences around mindfulness, youth advocacy, and education. Katie comes to us with a bachelor's degree in Youth Development with a concentration in mental and physical wellness and has recently graduated with a masters degree in Youth Development with a concentration in Equity and Justice. She works towards fostering safe spaces with young people where students can explore and manage their emotions and learn mindfulness techniques for their journeys. Katie was born and raised in Rhode Island and enjoys exploring the beautiful sites this state offers!

Samantha Venuti

ResilientKids Instructor

Samantha is a ResilientKids^TM instructor at Inspiring Minds. She is passionate about teaching social and emotional learning through mindfulness-based techniques. Samantha recently graduated from Temple University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree at Boston University. Samantha has experience working as a case manager with youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability in Rhode Island. Additionally, Samantha has experience teaching youth attunement and modulation skills through the facilitation of psychoeducational groups and therapeutic activities. Samantha strongly believes in mindfulness-based techniques and the importance of strengths-based and trauma informed approaches. During her free time, Samantha enjoys hiking, running, and reading!

Jane Lavoie

VOLUNTEER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Jane Lavoie is a volunteer with Inspiring Minds, after having been Director of Volunteer Services for 5 years and a KidsBridge volunteer. Prior to joining Inspiring Minds, Jane worked in the corporate world until her retirement in 2014. During that time, she became acquainted with Inspiring Minds through the Power Lunch program, which she participated in for a number of years. Jane has a BA in English and an MBA from URI. She has two adult sons and lives in Providence with her husband, Ray.

Theresa Wagner

Bonner Fellow

Theresa is a Bonner Fellow at Inspiring Minds. Theresa is currently studying Political Science as a second-year undergraduate student at Brown University. She is passionate about education and community engagement. Theresa is a longtime Pawtucket resident.