The RI Hospitality Association (RIHA) hosted a spring gathering in its ongoing Women in Hospitality (WIH) series. Sponsored by OceanPoint Insurance and hosted at O’Brien’s Pub in Newport on June 6, the trade event brought together industry professionals for networking and community works. A toiletry drive for items including shampoo and conditioner, soap and body wash, towels and washcloths, hairbrushes, razors and sanitary products for menstruating people benefited Sojourner House, a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 by Providence residents and Brown University students who were concerned about what was then a silent epidemic: domestic and sexual violence. Sojourner House has grown from a part-time volunteer hotline into a provider of comprehensive services available to victims of abuse 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The WIH guests also enjoyed a performance from the Clann Lir Academy of Irish Dance, as well as food and cocktails from the O’Brien’s team.
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- Sean DeBobes, Manager, RI Hospitality Education Foundation, RIHA; Linda Musch, Linda Musch Food Safety Training & Consulting; Traci Dufresne, Manager, Hospitality Workforce Development, RIHA; and Nicole Trombly, Exeter Job Corps Academy.
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- Heather Singleton, COO, RIHA and Joanna Arrighie, Senior Sales Manager, RI Convention Center.
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- Hotel Viking’s Celeste Colon and Christina Mercado.
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- Inked Restaurant Group’s Amanda Barker and Meaghan McGovern.
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- The Chanler at Cliff Walk’s Cheryl Twiss, Anney Jasinski and Jana Bissonette.
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- Ashley Rohlfing, Senior District Sales Manager, Toast; Kerrie Philbin, General Manager, O’Brien’s Pub; Caroline Bhatia, Director of Membership, RIHA; and Claire Rodrigues, Territory Account Executive, Toast.
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- Angel Winpenny, Owner, The Patio on Main with Danielle Anderson, Owner, Seacoast Sweets, who provided handmade candy favors for attendees.
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- Jennifer Galipeau, Provost of Academic Affairs and Interim Dean, College of Hospitality Management, Johnson & Wales Uuniversity (JWU); Jane Boyland, Associate Professor and Department Chair, The International Hotel School, JWU; and Kaitlin O’Hara, Manager, Falvey Linen Supply.
Photos by Katie Kleyla, RIHA.
