Rhode Island Foundation names Ann-Marie Harrington as Chair
The entrepreneur and marketing technology exec will lead the state's $1.5 billion community foundation
The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Foundation has elected Ann-Marie Harrington as chair. The seasoned entrepreneur and marketing technology executive succeeds Dr. G. Alan Kurose, who has completed his 3-year term as chair of the Board.
“I am delighted to pass the baton to Ann-Marie, who has demonstrated a deep and thoughtful commitment to the Foundation’s mission. It has been an honor to serve, and I thank my colleagues on the Board for their support and guidance,” said Kurose, who had been chairman since 2022.
As the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofits in the state, the Foundation’s community priorities include economic opportunity, education and health. Among the Foundation’s recent initiatives are a sweeping set of recommendations to jumpstart housing production and research into the financial performance and structure of the state’s hospitals and health systems.
Harrington joined the Foundation’s Board in 2015 and serves on the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Finance Committee.
The Portsmouth resident brings substantial community and business leadership to the position of chair of the Foundation, where she has served on the Board since 2015. She leads business intelligence, digital operations, and web-based lead generation technologies at Creative Planning, one of America’s largest registered investment advisory firms.
Harrington was the founder and former CEO of Embolden, an award-winning digital marketing and technology firm whose clients included 200 community foundations, nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies prior to its eventual acquisition by Crown Philanthropic Solutions.
In addition, she has served as a board member or advisor for several early-stage tech startups and is on the Bryant University Board of Trustees.
“I’m honored to be part of this dynamic philanthropic organization that is driving real change and lasting improvements in Rhode Island. I truly believe in our state and its potential,” said Harrington. “It is an honor to lead an organization that works closely with donors to respond to the immediate as well as long-term needs of Rhode Islanders.”
Harrington was elected to a 3-year term as chair. The 15-member Board is responsible for setting policy at the Foundation, which awarded a record $89 million in grants to 2,500 nonprofits in 2023.
Harrington holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant University and a Master of Social Work from Rhode Island College. She has been honored as Small Businessperson of the Year for Rhode Island by the U.S. Small Business Administration and with the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence and an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from Rhode Island College.
“It’s been a privilege to work with Al as Board chair. The entire team at the Foundation is deeply appreciative of his service and leadership over the last three years and I am grateful that Al has agreed to continue that service as incoming chair of the Board’s Finance Committee,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “We are also thrilled that Ann-Marie is stepping into the role of Board chair, and we look forward to continuing – and growing – our work to meet the needs of all the people of Rhode Island.”
The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through civic leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is improving the lives of all Rhode Islanders. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.
