The People
Powering our
Mission
SEG empowers more than 300 entrepreneurs and businesses annually with diverse programs and services in both English and Spanish, supporting their success at every stage of growth.

Our Staff

Adriana Del Carmen
Program Manager

Adriana Del Carmen
Program Manager
Born in Perú, Adriana followed her love for travel and moved to Argentina for her studies. After receiving her B.A. in Business Management, she moved back to Peru. There, she had the opportunity of opening a satellite location for a Spanish company in the environmental and maritime industry. Her management knowledge helped her succeed as the office manager and with time she became a project manager. Having recently moved to Rhode Island, she looks forward to using her business experience to help local businesses improve their operations. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing and hiking, spending time with family and friends and trying the gastronomy that Rhode Island has to offer.
Ask me about...
SEG's Local Biz Resilience Program

Akisch Lenus
Senior Manager of Ecosystem Engagement & Partnerships

Akisch Lenus
Senior Manager of Ecosystem Engagement & Partnerships
Akisch Lenus is an entrepreneur born on the beautiful Island of St.Maarten. He comes with a background in brand development and management. His experience working with award winning artists, major record labels and internationally recognized brands led him to start Love Trust Loyalty, a management and consultant firm.
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- Email:alenus@segreenhouse.org

Anza Hayat
Program Manager

Anza Hayat
Program Manager
Anza Hayat graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from Lahore University of Management Sciences. She has a solid background in policy work, utilizing advanced technological tools to facilitate data projections, risk management, and policy development, all with the goal of preserving and enhancing Pakistan's socio-ecological landscape. Driven by her passion for policy and research, Anza recently completed her master's degree in Public Affairs (MPA) at Brown University. During her tenure at Brown, she served as a Director's Fellow, actively involved in climate solutions research. Additionally, she assumed the role of Vice-President on the MPA Student Advisory Board and represented the student body on the Watson Institute's DIAP Committee. For her capstone project, she worked as an ally, aiding in the preparation of Rhode Island for Small Business Administration (SBA) Reauthorization. Anza's career aspirations are deeply rooted in the development sector, with a profound commitment to fostering small business growth and effecting meaningful social change. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, petting every dog she sees and discovering new cafes!
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- Email:ahayat@segreenhouse.org

Alexandra Goyette
Senior Director of People and Operations

Alexandra Goyette
Senior Director of People and Operations
A proud New Englander, Allie grew up by the sea and in the woods where she developed a true fondness for nature and its inhabitants. At Wheelock College, she channeled her passion into action, founding the first on-campus environmental group and creating the Environmental Studies Major and Sustainability Minor. Determined to become an agent of change, Allie completed her master’s in Environmental Law & Policy from Vermont Law School with highest honors. As the Senior Manager - Incubator & Newport at SEG, Allie manages the Incubator program and helps build SEG's ecosystem in Newport. She is excited to continue her advocacy work by thinking globally and acting locally. When not working, Allie can be found knitting, gardening, and birding.
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Constance Ferber
Chief Impact Officer

Constance Ferber
Chief Impact Officer
Constance Ferber comes to SEG with a background in nonprofit capacity building and knowledge management. At SEG she leads the design and launch of new opportunities that help elevate and reimagine SEG’s programs and services. Prior to joining the team, Constance was the Knowledge Director for Nonprofit New York, where she oversaw the organization’s evaluation strategies and developed reports and resources related to nonprofit management practices and sector-related trends. Constance has a B.A. in Sociology from the College of Wooster and a M.A. in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University. Constance is an avid fan of bluegrass music, hiking, and the Chesapeake Bay.
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- Email:cferber@segreenhouse.org

Emily Ford
Accelerator Program Lead

Emily Ford
Accelerator Program Lead
Emily Ford has over 20 years of experience working in both the corporate and non-profit sectors, with an emphasis on the arts, education, and healthcare industries. She brings skill sets in planning, marketing, communications, and fundraising to achieve organizational goals. Emily earned an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a BS in Psychology from Washington and Lee University. Prior to joining the SEG team, Emily worked as a volunteer coach and advisor. Currently, she serves as Co-President of the Board of Directors for Arts Alive!, a non-profit arts education program. Her favorite past times include reading, long beach walks with her golden retriever, and cheering on her children in their numerous activities. Emily is committed to SEG’s mission and looks forward to helping entrepreneurs and non-profits achieve their goals of societal and economic impact.
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- Email:eford@segreenhouse.org

Narine Emdjian
Director of Grants

Narine Emdjian
Director of Grants
Narine holds a Master's in Political Science and Government from Yerevan State University and earned her MBA from the Johnson & Wales University. Last several years, she has worked as the Interim Press Secretary for the City of Warwick, Program Manager for Rhode Island Virtual Reality and Grant Coordinator for Wellesley College. At SEG Narine looks forward to help SEG scale up its fundraising efforts. Narine also has a passion for cooking. She loves to experiment with different cuisines and flavors, and enjoys the challenge of creating delicious meals that are both healthy and satisfying.
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Dr. Kiara Butler
Senior Director of Community & Partnerships

Dr. Kiara Butler
Senior Director of Community & Partnerships
Dr. Kiara Butler brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and community engagement to her role as Senior Director of Community and Partnerships at SEG. She is responsible for strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, securing new partnerships, and driving earned revenue growth. Before joining SEG, Kiara was the CEO and Founder of Diversity Talks, where she successfully raised over $5M in operating support and expanded the organization’s impact nationally through strategic partnerships and innovative programming. Kiara holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Johnson & Wales University. Outside of work, Kiara enjoys meditating, expanding her extensive crystal collection, and spending time with her family.
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- Email:kbutler@segreenhouse.org

Liz Connell
Program Manager | Community

Liz Connell
Program Manager | Community
Liz holds a Bachelors in Communications from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters of Social Work from Rhode Island College. As a Community Program Manager, Liz enjoys building connections and promoting members of the SEG ecosystem. In her free time, she enjoys cross-training, baking, and trying new restaurants.
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Julie Owens
Chief Executive Officer

Julie Owens
Chief Executive Officer
For over 25 years, Julie has partnered with organizations across the country to cultivate strategic thinking and create positive impact. The majority of Julie’s consulting career has been focused on the health care sector, with clients including Lifespan and Tufts Medicine, and she has successfully translated strategies into actionable plans and projects for dozens of organizations. During her time in the healthcare sector she worked with clients to create innovative programs that improve patients healthcare experiences and diminish barriers to care for underinsured clients. Julie served as SEG's interim CEO for several months in 2022-2023 before becoming the full time CEO in April 2023. Before becoming the interim CEO Julie collaborated with SEG on several initiatives as both a consultant and volunteer. Julie earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BS from Stonehill College. She serves on the Boards of Directors of the Barrington Education Foundation and Eagle Speed, a youth running organization. Julie is a proud mom to four amazing kids and two very energetic dogs.
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- Email:jowens@segreenhouse.org

Marisa Creed
Co-Working Community Manager

Marisa Creed
Co-Working Community Manager
Originally from Massachusetts, Marisa has moved home from New Orleans where she lived for 20 years. A creative entrepreneur, she owns The Art Garden, New Orleans nighttime fine art market. In addition to opening art market’s, her company Creed Creative Studios plans unique, bespoke events. In New Orleans her businesses focused on building a strong creative community. Back home in New England with her cat orange, Marisa is excited to bring her diverse skills to SEG’s Hub community!
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- Email:mcreed@segreenhouse.org

Stefanie Engelhardt
Senior Director Programs & Services

Stefanie Engelhardt
Senior Director Programs & Services
After graduating with a B.A. in Communication and Media Studies from Fordham University, Stefanie returned to her New England roots after living in NYC for a decade. She has a background in managing program operations and providing participant support from her experience in the nonprofit and education industries. As a Program Operations Manager, Stefanie is so excited to help social impact ventures flourish in New England and beyond! In her free time, Stefanie enjoys exploring the food scene in New England and gardening, reading, and cooking. Most weekends she can be found hiking with her dog Ginger in the beautiful Rhode Island landscape or playing with her two rabbits, Winchester and Blanche.
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Ruth Rodriguez
Senior Manager Spanish Language Offerings

Ruth Rodriguez
Senior Manager Spanish Language Offerings
Ruth Rodriguez was born in New York and raised in Boston. As a result of her Boston upbringing and being the daughter of a caring and inspiring teacher, Ruthy learned the importance of giving back to the community. Ruthy has over 10 years of experience in customer service, human services, coordination, program and project management, event planning, and client relations. She is a multifaceted community leader with a commitment to promoting positive change in individuals and communities through advocacy, empowerment, and compassion. Ruthy takes immense pride in participating in a civic approach to community building and is committed to lifelong service based on her personal and professional experiences. In her first year at SEG Ruth worked on a Spanish language community outreach project that resulted in 95% positive grant approvals, remote job approvals, and small business training opportunities. Ruth has gone from Community Outreach Coordinator to her current role as the Manager of Outreach and Spanish program in under a year's time. She now leads the La Incubadora program at SEG. Ruth credits her accomplishments to her passion, dedication, and commitment to doing what she loves which is working to build communities. Ruth is a proud mother of 6 and grandmother of 9 children. She loves to cook, dance salsa, and spend time with her family.
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Fellows & Interns

Razan Karar
Leslie Altman Fellow

Razan Karar
Leslie Altman Fellow
- Phone:+1 (859) 254-6589
- Email:info@example.com

Priyanka Mahat
Leslie Altman Fellow

Priyanka Mahat
Leslie Altman Fellow
- Phone:+1 (859) 254-6589
- Email:info@example.com

Jay Philbrick
Leslie Altman Fellow

Jay Philbrick
Leslie Altman Fellow
- Phone:+1 (859) 254-6589
- Email:info@example.com