Catherine Candland is the CEO of nextSource, a workforce solutions company and a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE). She is committed to helping enterprises access exceptional talent, enhance operating efficiencies, mitigate risks, leverage costs, and develop competitive advantages. Over three decades, Catherine has earned the trust of industry-leading clients in higher education, financial services, technology, and healthcare while founding and leading businesses recognized for their innovation, integrity, and ROI. She has been an active member of boards and advisory bodies in the not-for-profit and public sectors, including public and private higher education institutions, workforce development organizations, business and professional associations, and the Federal Reserve System. Catherine’s career is rooted in empowering others and creating a lasting impact. Her integrated approach ensures that businesses consistently deliver forward-thinking strategies that give talent management a competitive edge.

Rik Kleinfeldt is the co-founder of New Harvest Coffee Roasters, an independent specialty coffee company based in Providence, Rhode Island. Since founding New Harvest in 2000, Rik has been committed to building long-term relationships with small farms and cooperatives across Latin America and Africa, sourcing exceptional coffees with transparency and integrity. Under his leadership, New Harvest has grown into a respected roaster known for quality, sustainability, and education—offering wholesale partnerships, retail service, and professional barista training. Rik is deeply engaged in the local food and beverage community, collaborating with colleges, restaurants, hotels, and markets throughout New England. His philosophy blends deep respect for producers with a passion for bringing great coffee to everyday drinkers. With over three decades in the coffee industry, Rik continues to advocate for ethical sourcing practices, support innovation in roasting and brewing, and mentor the next generation of coffee professionals through hands-on training and business leadership

To learn more about New Harvest Coffee Roasters click here

There are many words one could use to describe Shirley X. Moore: bold, wise, loyal, and resourceful. Let’s not forget passionate, energetic, outspoken and hilarious. All can agree that Shirley’s drive has a whole lot of love in its center. Every day she gives her everything to make sure others don’t have to. That brings to mind yet another other word - tireless. If you’ve ever taken one of her entrepreneurial courses, you would know to add sanguine to the list.

Shirley was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, where she spent her summers, and was raised in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island. Starting at the age of six, Shirley kept finding herself in the oddest (to her at the time) of predicaments: interpreting. Her services were requested by relatives, friends, and the friends of friends. It became a paid job and thus, an entrepreneur was born. Shirley now finds herself the proud founder of Be Moore Interpreting.

Shirley has a hunch that Be Moore Interpreting will take over the world. As the team works its way there, she continues to ensure that her business grows while helping business owners and organizations of RI meet the needs of their customers. She feels blessed when customers share positive feedback and to know the exceptional service Be Moore provides is accessible to the very community that helped cultivate it. Shirley credits her family as being her rock, reason, source of love, and the greatest of supporters. Shirley’s eyes light up when she mentions her mother who took such great care of her son, Jordan, which allowed her to attend school on the weekends. Her goal was so palpable it came true exactly as she had envisioned - her son standing alongside his father, faces beaming, as she, in cap and gown, approached with diploma in hand. Shirley holds a Bachelor’s in Human Services and a Master’s in organizational management & leadership. She is a Wraparound Facilitator and the recipient of the Empowered Woman Award in 2021.

Shirley has built a home in Pawtucket, RI with her husband Ramel, their spunky son, their puppy Myra, and over 70 plant babies. She and Ramel are honored to be the pastors of the Fortified Life Church in Providence. While she loves to share the word of Jesus, travel the world, and motivate Latina entrepreneurs, there is no other place she’d rather spend her Sundays than falling asleep on the couch with Jordan by her side.

Griot, Historian, Intellectual, Convener, Public Policy Wonk, Father, Husband, and son of Rhode Island

In all of the various roles in his four decades of public service to Rhode Island, Keith W. Stokes is driven to create a community for all who call the Ocean State home. From elected city official in his beloved home of Newport to statewide office as a gubernatorial appointment on economic development to his service for the City of Providence, Stokes sought to braid public dollars with private development to foster a beloved community. Keith received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his formative graduate work at the University of Chicago. Woven into the formal education are the stories of a generation of ancestors whispering long shared stories of a time before the American Revolution and the lens to see the present.

Keith presently leads the State of Rhode Island Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. His past employment experiences include being the Director of the City of Providence Department of Business and Economic Development, the Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation of Rhode Island, and the Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce. He has also been an Advisor for Rhode Island with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and served on numerous local, regional, and national business and public boards, including Preservation Society for Newport County, Touro Synagogue Foundation, Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission Historical Review Board, Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, Quonset Development Corporation, Rhode Island Foundation, and the American Antiquarian Society. His current passion is borne of a heritage that extends before the republic and grounds his roots in the land of Rhode Island. From his father, the cerebral and equally physical baseball, and from his mother, a grounding in history and a curiosity to learn more about his African, Jewish, and Caribbean family roots.

He frequently appears on national historical programs, including C-SPAN, Fox News Legends & Lies, and Ted Talk. Recently, he was the lead researcher and author of “A Matter of Truth” publication for the examination and documentation of the role of the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island in supporting a “Separate and Unequal” existence for African heritage, Indigenous, and People of Color.

He is a 9th generation Rhode Islander and calls Newport home with his beloved wife, Theresa. He is the father of four children and an extended clan of pit bull dogs he rescues and nurtures.

Parking and shuttle services will be provided to Summit attendees at the Power Street Parking Garage, located at 111 Power Street Providence, RI. The entrance to the garage is located at the intersection of Power and Thayer Streets.  The shuttle will run on a continuous loop throughout the day. Due to limited availability and registrations we have reached capacity, and complimentary parking is no longer available to additional attendees. Please utilize street parking in the area.

VIEW POWER STREET GARAGE MAP

Please leave extra time for parking! There is limited street parking adjacent to the Granoff Center.  A shuttle will be provided to the location from the Power Street Parking Garage, located at 111 Power Street for those who hold a parking pass. 

Information regarding local hotel accommodations can be found at the Brown University Visitor Accommodations webpage.

 Brown University Visitor Accommodations