As homelessness and food insecurity have continued to rise in Rhode Island, so have the resources and determination of the Providence In-Town Churches Association under the leadership of Executive Director Diana Burdette. PICA serves the capital city’s homeless, poor and elderly in need of help through its food pantry, daily meal site and other outreach programs. more

One major role of business executives – maybe especially those in human resources – is to teach. Many successful people say they owe the benefit of their experience to professionals coming up behind them. more

Good communication skills are essential for any successful career. Using those skills to marshal hundreds of employees, build relationships within creative teams, and navigate the chains of command in the workplace is communications taken to a high level. more

Everyone has the occasional bad day at work. When Mary Wohlgemuth, technical director at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, has a bad day, it could be because a torpedo is malfunctioning. more

Lighting a home – or any space, really – is a tricky business. Such design work involves careful and intricate planning, establishment of sourcing, careful product selection and, finally, decoration that celebrates a job done well. more

Ann M. Kashmanian never thought about working in the health care industry when she was studying for a master’s degree in business administration at Northeastern University. Today, she helps keep several Ocean State hospitals on sound financial footing and works to make sure health care is available to everyone. more

Walk into People’s Credit Union in Middletown and you might see Ellen Ford, the president and CEO, sitting at a desk with an elderly woman, helping her balance her checkbook. more

Contained in this issue of PBN is our annual Business Women special section, a tangible reminder of the program’s awards luncheon held the previous week. This year’s was the sixth such event, and as always, the winners were deserving and the attendees enthusiastic in their support. more

Helena B. Foulkes took a big risk in 1997. The Harvard-educated MBA was doing well at CVS Caremark Corp., working her way up the retail merchandising and buying sector at the Woonsocket-based company. She was comfortable and successful in that role – which is exactly when great executives prove themselves by taking a leap. more

Over the last 10 years health-insurance companies have stressed the need for preventative health care and wellness programs. Well ahead of the curve in establishing these programs and evaluating their effectiveness are Janice M. Prochaska and her company, Pro-Change Behavior Systems Inc. of South Kingstown. more