20 Years in the Making

URI Women’s Leadership Council Celebrates Two Decades of Empowering Student and Alumni Leaders

The URI Women’s Leadership Council gathered at the Alumni Center recently to celebrate 20 years of volunteer leadership, mentoring, and philanthropy to benefit URI women.

Two decades ago, Janice DiLorenzo ’70, a volunteer representing alumni in Florida, and Sarah Lobdell ’96, a director in the URI alumni office, founded the Women’s Leadership Council to better engage and support URI women. “We realized that the crux of alumni involvement and donations were made by men and were usually focused on sports events. We felt the need to create a council that would involve more women, especially those who were leaders on campus,” said DiLorenzo. “Over the years the WLC has offered many opportunities to expand our skills in influencing, networking, and setting career goals.”

DiLorenzo recruited several friends to join: Geraldine Barber ’70, Victoria Cataldo ’70, Gale Frechette ’72, Donna Santaniello ’69, and Marilyn Zartarian ’70. Together these founding members developed the council’s mission and programming.

“Janice was the glue that brought us together in the beginning, but the mission of the council and the sense of purpose is what has kept us involved through the years,” said Zartarian, who is now the council’s philanthropy chair.

Sustained Commitment to Student Leaders
From the beginning the group sought to help young women become strong leaders. Council events provided guidance on job interviews—including a fashion show to help students choose appropriate interview attire—as well as financial independence and other topics. The council also set an early goal to create an endowed scholarship.

“We were able to establish the endowment through a grassroots letter-writing campaign and personal donations,” noted DiLorenzo. It began with $25,000 in 2006 and has grown to over $200,000. The first $510 scholarship was awarded in 2010. It has been awarded each year since, with the 2025 scholarship reaching $5,300.

“There are incredible students at URI who work hard, showing up every day and chasing big goals. We get to support them in a very tangible way,” said Zartarian.

The Impact of Scholarships
Several scholarship recipients shared their inspiring stories at the 20th anniversary celebration.

Leetal Young ’25 said, “Receiving the Women Transforming Women scholarship was incredibly meaningful to me, not only because of the financial support, but because of what the title itself represented. Growing up as one of 17 siblings, leaving home for college meant stepping into full independence and learning how to support myself while building a future of my own. During that time, this award made me feel deeply believed in. It gave me confidence, encouragement, and momentum during a pivotal time in my life.”

Young was involved in several leadership and community building initiatives as an undergrad, and she is continuing in URI’s mental health counseling graduate program. She credits the scholarship with helping her to see herself as “someone capable of leading and uplifting others.”

Lauren Fiske ’14 shared, “When I was a student at URI, I was navigating a season of profound grief and loss. I began at Savannah College of Art and Design, but after losing my best friend—who was like a sister to me—at age 19, I returned home to Rhode Island.” Inspired by a student-led conference in Providence, Fiske found a different career path in URI’s newly launched Interdisciplinary Health Studies program.

“Through my Interdisciplinary Health Studies and Honors Program classes, I fell in love with designing accessible programs and experiences that help people thrive. Meanwhile, I was a commuter student balancing work, volunteering, leadership roles, and academics. Receiving support from the Women’s Leadership Council was more than financial assistance—it was a reminder that someone believed in me. That recognition gave me the confidence to continue pursuing a career dedicated to well-being, prevention, and public health. Today I work in integrated healthcare, teach yoga, support research focused on digital mental health interventions, and am preparing to apply for doctoral training. I remain deeply grateful to the Women’s Leadership Council and my mentors at URI for helping me see possibilities beyond what I could imagine for myself and for reminding me that we never get where we’re going alone.”

Opening Doors for the Next Generation
Today the Women’s Leadership Council has grown to 35+ members, the scholarship is open to all student leaders, regardless of gender, and programming has evolved. But the mission hasn’t changed: the council still provides opportunities for both students and alumni to support each other, grow as leaders, and engage with the URI community.

Paula Testa, M.B.A.’94, who is now the council chair, joined in 2019 after moving back to Rhode Island. “I was looking for a way to meet people, get involved, and find a sense of community,” she said. The council provided all that and more. A consultant and career coach after a 33-year career in financial services, Testa shares her knowledge with students and young alums through the council’s signature events. “Recent topics have included work-life balance, LinkedIn networking, and financial wellness.”

The council plans to do more with mentorship and expand initiatives for the Rhody Outpost, URI’s on-campus food pantry. And the scholarship will always be a focal point.

At the 20th anniversary celebration, Testa ended the evening by saying, “This group represents what’s possible when we come together with a purpose, with ambition, and with a commitment to lift others along the way. So here’s to impact. Here’s to leadership. And here’s to continuing to open doors for the next generation.”

The Women’s Leadership Council welcomes new members and volunteers. To get involved, fill out the new member interest form.

Women’s Leadership Council leaders and scholarship recipients gathered with President Marc Parlange at the Alumni Center in spring 2026 to celebrate the council’s 20th anniversary.