Theresa Matos Agonia was born and raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Growing up in a bilingual home as a dual citizen of the United States and Portugal, she grew up involved in opportunities to support Portuguese traditions. She became the first member of my family to graduate from college in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications from Roger Williams University.
She feels most comfortable in front of a camera and on stage, having competed at several pageants including Miss USA when she was Miss Rhode Island USA 2016 and placing internationally in Portugal and Bolivia. In 2022, she was featured in Apple TV’s season 2 of “Dear…” where her life story was featured alongside her role model Viola Davis. Additionally, for five years she served as the Judges’ Chairperson for Miss Rhode Island USA | Miss Rhode Island Teen USA competition and the Miss New Jersey USA | Miss New Jersey Teen USA pageants.
She considers her passions to be in public service, supporting women’s rights and serving as a mentor for marginalized communities. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, booking photoshoots as a freelance model and frequenting Scott’s Fitness to workout and lead a healthy lifestyle.
She currently serves as Sr. Director, Executive Office and Communications for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America where she is responsible for planning, developing, and overseeing effective internal and external messaging and communication strategies for the National CEO and other key executives that support the mission and vision of BBBSA. Theresa is Co-Founder of the Central Falls Alumni Association, an Advisory Council Member of the R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference, and Big Sister to Little Sisyer Eliyanah with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island.