In the business world, the key to expanding one’s reach is connecting with other like-minded people. There are dozens of places and events anyone can attend to accomplish this goal. There are also specialty groups that focus on particular industries. Real estate, construction/trades, and senior care are some of the numerous groups that meet regularly to ‘talk shop’ and introduce other professionals to each other.
What may be lacking is a chance for some networkers to get the same benefits, but, within a particular framework. Some people prefer traveling short distances or feel uncomfortable going someplace new. One such group built their network on a foundation based on giving back and being a place for those new to connecting.
Ladies Lead RI is an all-female professional networking group that meets bi-monthly to discuss work-related issues, help each other, and to build comradery through fun and engaging activities.
The idea was initially the brainchild of Alyssa Lopes, who wanted something different from attending other cookie-cutter events. She believed that being in the minority in her profession at many places made her consider another option that would cater to women.
“Many of the industries that are represented in these networking events—real estate, mortgage brokers, and banks—are dominated by men,” said Lopes, who works as a mortgage lender at Northpointe Bank in Providence. “We started this 18 months ago, for women to have their voices heard and become a sounding board for any problems they face.”
What Lopes and several other ladies saw was an opportunity to help others in the community. Their first event helped women, “Dress for Success.” Roughly 100 women attended this event at The George in Downtown Providence. They donated blouses, suits, shoes, and other business-related attire, for women in need.
With the help of Pier Cleaners donating a truck to transport the “tons” of donations, Ladies Lead RI realized they hit on a way to promote themselves differently.
A core of women help out in planning these events. They move their meetings throughout the state, so various members can highlight what they do. Attendees are primarily either female-owned businesses, with some who work for other companies.
Christine Soave Crum, president of Gentry Moving and Storage in Cranston, said that she was very impressed with the turnout when she began attending. She also appreciates the ability to help others.
“What was nice about this group was that I didn’t know anyone at first,” said Crum, who also co-chairs another monthly networking group called North West Links. “They not only all became my business referral partners, but they also became my friends. It’s a diverse array of people that come to these meetings.”
The average number or attendees for their events is between 40-45 people. They have helped various organizations throughout the state. Some of them include: The Sojourner House, We Share Hope and the Share Shack. The latter was their most recent event (in late November) that aided people in the community with food insecurities.
Besides the “Dress for Success” event, the group has done other drives to bring attention and supplies to the less fortunate. They held a toiletries drive (for toilet paper, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, etc.), for those living in the Ukraine and restocking food pantries and Share Shacks statewide.
Their meetings have been held at such places as Finn’s Harbourside, The Highlands on the East Side, Greenwich Farms, and Wingate on the East Side. The hope is reconnecting with like-minded professionals and meeting other people in the communities who would like to help others.
Lopes likes the progression and what it has become—and what it could be in time.
“It’s a sisterhood and another networking sphere,” she said. “It’s something different with the caveat of giving back, as well. We are a networking group with a conscious.”
Prutha Patel, a realtor with Re/MAX Innovations in Providence, said that the group empowers women to hear advice and suggestions from their perspective. There is support in industries where their voices may not be heard.
“Ladies Lead RI is a sounding board for the members to get and process feedback,” she said. “We offer support to anyone who wants to be heard.”
Other core members of the group are Jen Rocha, an account manager for commercial lines at Thompson Insurance Group in East Providence and Cait Clement, a realtor with Harborside Realty in Narragansett.
Cait has been a huge asset to the Board, as well assisting in finding other female owned local businesses to pair up with for their events.
Jen has made a significant impact with her role on the Board in finding outlets for them to give back.
At press time, they were working on a Valentine’s Day event. It is scheduled for February 13, at Halcyon West Bay Senior Living on 2783 West Shore Road in Warwick. Details are forthcoming on the time and activities planned for that night.
Ladies Lead RI is a non-profit organization established in early 2022, to promote female empowerment in the workplace.
For additional information about Ladies Lead RI, or to attend an upcoming event, please contact Alyssa Lopes at 401-871-2252 or alyssa.lopes@northpointe.com.