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

FINANCE 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 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.

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.

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!

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.

Amber Hanks

ResilientKids Instructor

Amber Hanks is a teacher of mindfulness and social and emotional learning with the Resilient Kids^TM team. She is grateful to be sharing tools which she believes foster wellbeing from the inside out and help students feel more centered in a challenging word. Amber is a mother of three children, holds a B.S. in Psychology, is a R.Y.T. and yoga based mindfulness instructor, and an avid lover of playing in and with nature through walking, running, and surfing.

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.

Jared Kolok

AMERICORPS VISTA, Leader of Volunteer Engagement

Jared is the Leader of Volunteer Engagement at Inspiring Minds as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member. He has bachelor's degrees in biology and political science and is especially interested in environmental issues. Jared strongly believes in the power of local organizations and passionate individuals to create democratic change across the country and in the Providence community. Jared is passionate about community service, public policy, democratic decision-making, and helping others overcome challenges through cooperative and compassionate means. He is planning to pursue a master's degree in public policy, administration, or affairs after his term as a VISTA concludes. Jared is thrilled to be a part of a passionate and welcoming team making strong connections within the Providence community to strengthen education in public schools. In his free time, Jared enjoys going on walks on the beach with his dog, reading and writing, and traveling.

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.