R.I.S.E. Strategic Advisory Council

Hilina D. Ajakaiye

Hilina D. Ajakaiye, MBA, CDMEChief Strategy OfficerNational Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals

Chief Strategy Officer, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) | Destination Marketing & Economic Development Leader

Hilina D. Ajakaiye is respected globally as a visionary leader in destination marketing, tourism strategy, and economic development. With a proven track record of driving economic growth, fostering inclusive tourism, and leading transformational initiatives in the 3rd largest industry in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Hilina is recognized for her strategic innovation, financial acumen, and community-driven leadership.

With nearly 20 years of experience in executive leadership, destination marketing, workforce development, and revenue generation, she has dramatically shaped the future of tourism in her market by leveraging strategic partnerships, superb community engagement, collaboration and data-driven marketing strategies to maximize impact and sustainability.

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Sr. Director, Executive Office and Communications at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

THERESA
MATOS AGONIA

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Director, External Communications and Community Relations at Giant Landover, MD

Felismina Andrade

$

Community Relations Officer, The Washington Trust Company

Jillian Balzano

$

Grants Analyst for (HEERF) at the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education

Willette Brown-Fatoyinbo

$

Senior Vice President, Employee Benefits USI Insurance Services

KATE
KENNEDY

$

Social Impact + External Affairs Leader

Adriana Dawson

ADRIANA I. DAWSON

$

CSR Account Executive – TeamBonding

Emilie
DeVito

$

Director of Community Engagement at Through the Pain, Inc. 

Elsa
Franco

$

Deputy Director of Administration for Mayor Donald R. Grebien in the City of Pawtucket

TRACEY
GIRON

$

Operations Manager in the Renewables Department at Eversource Energy

SINBIAT HASSAN

$

Massachusetts Assistant Undersecretary of Housing Stabilization.

Vivian

Vivian

$

Realtor at Keller Williams

LAVONNE LOPES

$

Global Marketing Manager at Duracell

LYNELIA RAPOSO

$

Emmy and Murrow Award-winning journalist

Charlene Bert

CHARLENE BERT

$

Vice President, Regional Manager at BankNewport

LEIYINA TAVAREZ

$

Director of Pharmacy Operations at Stop & Shop, Quincy, MA

KATIE THORNELL

$

Marketing Coordinator at Engage2Excel

CATHLEEN
URDI

$

SVP, Employee Benefits Executive Leadership Coach

Mira Estaphanous

$

Director, Risk Management Strategy in the REMS and Risk Management Center of Excellence (RRM CoE)

JACQUELINE GERENA

$

Senior Vice President Private Client Advisor

YAHAIRA PLACENCIA

$

Interpreter for Rhode Island Judiciary | Volunteer Coordinator at R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference | Board Secretary at Voices Unchained Inc.

Evadali_Headshot

Evadali Rocha

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