Lisa Ranglin ‘25
President/CEO
ribba
AWARD PROFILE
Courageous Thinking and Actions
Lisa Ranglin's life and career embody courageous thinking and action. Born into poverty in Jamaica, her home was modest with 2 rooms. Still, her parents often shared their home with the less fortunate. Despite limited education—her father couldn’t read or write, and her mother was forced to drop out of school in 6th grade—her parents instilled in her the value of education and service. They founded a school and church in 1963, still operating today, and Lisa and her siblings continue to support their legacy.
Immigrating to the U.S., Lisa worked in a factory while attending night school to earn her bachelor’s degree, later completing a master’s at Johnson & Wales University. Her 23-year corporate career included leading multi-million-dollar initiatives in risk management and organizational change, which helped her lift her family out of poverty and gave her the tools to effect systemic change.
In 2021, Lisa left the corporate world to scale RIBBA, a grassroots non-profit organization which she founded in 2010. She became President & CEO in 2022, and her team is delivering life-changing programs and services to close the racial wealth gap and empower families who have been historically excluded from adequate resources and opportunities to thrive and reach their fullest potential. Under Lisa’s leadership, RIBBA helps small businesses, professionals, and individuals in need achieve upward mobility while challenging systemic barriers and transforming lives across Rhode Island.
Vision and Innovation
Lisa’s vision is rooted in empowering others and breaking down barriers. Her innovative leadership and expertise in community engagement, project management, and process improvement have transformed RIBBA into a hub of opportunity for Rhode Islanders. Recognizing a gap in support for urban small businesses, Lisa brought together elected officials, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to found RIBBA in 2010. Since then, she has pioneered economic growth and sustainability, making a lasting impact on all Rhode Islanders.
Lisa turned her vision of a statewide, demand-driven strategy into reality. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a nonprofit organization with a team of 11 employees working to put community members on sustainable career paths and helping small businesses grow, create jobs, and prosper.
Today, RIBBA supports more than 1,500 small businesses. Over 215 individuals have received career advancement services, and more than 3,000 Rhode Islanders are employed by businesses in RIBBA’s network, generating a $27 million economic impact on the state. Small business owners have secured over $1.9 million in capital from local institutions through RIBBA’s support. With a growing digital audience of over 347,000, RIBBA continues to expand its reach and impact across Rhode Island.
Inspiring Leadership
Lisa is a passionate leader whose dedication to all communities is evident in every aspect of her work. Under her leadership, RIBBA has developed impactful programs aimed at closing the wealth gap and advocating for opportunities for all Rhode Island communities. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards and statewide committees focused on improving outcomes for communities in need and addressing systems that aren’t beneficial to holistic economic development.
RIBBA acknowledges that many Rhode Islanders face great hurdles in securing employment, experiencing higher unemployment, fewer job opportunities, lower pay, and greater job instability. This reflects systemic barriers that cause many individuals to be settled into low paying jobs.
Lisa’s leadership has earned RIBBA recognition from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training as a leading training partner. In 2023, she was named one of Rhode Island’s most powerful and Influential women by Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, in 2017, One of 9 Toughest Women in Rhode Island, in 2016, “16 To Watch” by GoLocalProv, and Community Person of Year by RI Affirmative Action Professionals. Additionally, she has been awarded the Rosa Parks Award from the NAACP, a Woman of Achievement Award from YWCA Rhode Island, and Extraordinary Woman in Business Award from the Woman Development institute. Most recently, in 2014, Lisa was awarded the Susan Farmer Advocacy Award from the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island.
Community Mindedness
RIBBA is a vital community resource, supporting local employers while inspiring brighter futures for youth and adults. Through job readiness and business support programs, RIBBA increases access to equitable opportunities for underserved populations.
The LEAP Mentorship Program is a five-month initiative for young adults (18–25), offering over 800 hours of mentorship and training in branding, networking, financial literacy, and job readiness. More than 100 participants have completed the program across five cohorts.
The Small Business Growth and Capital Readiness Programs provide technical assistance in areas like marketing, legal services, website development, and financial literacy. To date, over 1,500 businesses have received direct support, with clients securing $1.9 million in loans and saving $888,000 in technical assistance costs. RIBBA’s outreach has reached over 11,000 individuals.
The Emerging Leaders Development Program, a seven-month leadership initiative in partnership with URI and RIDLT, boasts a 98% graduation rate. It offers 1,500 hours of coaching and has trained 115 leaders earning between $60,000 and $208,000 annually.
RIBBA has distributed over $60,000 in scholarships through the LEAP Mentorship & Training Program, supporting students with executive coaching and wraparound services.
The Young Adult Business Pitch competition supports youth entrepreneurs with training and startup funding.
JA Mission Moment
“Reflecting on my journey, I’ve come to realize that some of the most impactful mentors in my life were guiding me long before I recognized it. What they all had in common was a passion for their work—a lesson I now carry forward: do what you love, do it with love, or don’t do it at all. I recently had the honor of speaking to an incredible group of 11th and 12th graders at William E. Tolman High School through Junior Achievement of Rhode Island’s Career Speaker Series. What began as a one-hour session turned into nearly two hours of vibrant conversation, curiosity, and connection. The students’ hunger for insight reminded me of the importance of mentorship and early career exposure. I deeply believe in JA’s mission to prepare youth for economic success. Together, we are helping students connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities—opening doors to high-growth careers and building a stronger, more inclusive workforce. RIBBA and JA share a common goal: equipping young people with the tools, resources, and access they need to thrive in a global economy.”