PBN Leaders & Achievers Awards 2026
KELLY NEVINS
Women’s Fund of Rhode Island CEO
When Kelly Nevins graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in English, she thought she’d go into public relations. The Illinois native had put herself through school and began scouring the help wanted ads. She landed at the March of Dimes, handling special events like walk-a-thons, auctions and galas, and managing dozens of volunteers.
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“It launched my nonprofit career,” she said.
Since then, she’s picked up a master’s in education and another in leadership, but she credits her undergrad degree with helping her to present ideas with clarity to a broad audience.
Today, she’s CEO of the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island in Providence, which invests in women and girls through research, advocacy, grantmaking and strategic partnerships to achieve gender equity.
After her role at the March of Dimes, Nevins moved on to executive roles at other nonprofits, including the United Way of Rhode Island Inc. and the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island, before detouring to Massachusetts to work on the launch of the Bay State’s universal healthcare program. The job proved taxing, and she found herself driving all over the state.
It was time to move back to Rhode Island and a job as director of tour management at travel company Collette Travel Service Inc.
“It solidified that I’m happiest doing something that has an impact on the state,” she said.
When Nevins arrived at the Women’s Fund in 2016, she was the only staffer, with a budget of $160,000. Today, there are seven employees and the budget has grown to $800,000.
“Prior to the Women’s Fund, I hadn’t been an advocate in a formal way,” she said. “Part of our mission is to create systems change, to help to make laws in place that benefit the community.”
She nods to her role in negotiating the language of the Fair Pay Act as one of her proudest accomplishments. The most important lesson she’s learned about being a leader is that it’s OK to ask for help.
“It can be hard, but people want to be a part of an organization’s success. It’s not a sign of weakness [to ask for help],” she said.
