PBN Leaders & Achievers 2024 Awards
Kathleen Malin | Rhode Island Foundation | Chief technology officer
FOR KATHLEEN MALIN, leading the technology efforts at the Rhode Island Foundation means always being ready to look for new ways to support the communities and people they serve.
Inside Scoop on PC’s Sports Administration Program
This past August Providence College announced its newest graduate program, an online Master of Science…
Learn More
As chief technology officer of the state’s largest nonprofit funder and one of Rhode Island’s longest-running nonprofits, Malin is currently focusing the foundation’s efforts on two major areas in her field: cybersecurity and understanding, or embracing, artificial intelligence.
“We want to look at how these tools affect the work that we do,” she said, “and how they can make it easier to achieve our goals.”
Much has changed since Malin started working at the foundation more than 18 years ago. Under her direction, the foundation recently transitioned to a complete online solution that fully integrates the organization’s systems for grants and scholarship funds management.
But she has remained on the forefront of the latest trends and developments, partly by connecting with her peers in the field, both locally and across the country.
“I regularly meet virtually and in person with my peers from other foundations, as well as from entirely different industries to discuss the challenges we’re facing and the opportunities that lie ahead,” Malin said. “People are very willing to collaborate, which is very helpful.”
In her role, Malin serves as part of the foundation’s leadership team while overseeing her own department with a style that she defines as cheerleading. She says she has a love of technology that she wants to share with others, so it’s easy to encourage her co-workers to perform at their best, especially given the important work the foundation does.
Malin is also an advocate for continuing education, encouraging staff and peers to pursue their interests in technology or in other areas.
After nearly two decades with the organization, Malin still considers herself fortunate to be there in this role, feeling lucky and honored for the opportunity to make a difference.
“I’m able to continue doing this work for as long as I have because the challenges surrounding technology continue to change and I find that very exciting,” Malin said.
