Business Women Awards 2025
INDUSTRY LEADER EDUCATION:
Ivelisse Sabater, SabaterLAB Foundation executive director
IVELISSE SABATER is a natural educator. Even as a child and teenager, she loved helping others learn. So, becoming a teacher was unsurprising to her.
The classroom, though, for Sabater was always more than four walls. It was a launchpad. A place for Sabater to nurture her students’ aspirations and even dismantle some barriers.
After two decades working in public schools, Sabater is now helping others through her work at the SabaterLAB Foundation as its executive director. Sabater leads the nonprofit’s mission to empower Rhode Island’s diverse communities through workforce development, mental health programs and barrier-free education.
“My hope is to transfer my skills as an educator to the community,” Sabater said. “I want to make an impact and help create change for good.”
Sabater received special education training in the Central Falls and Providence public school districts. A certified modern language and bilingual educator, Sabater saw firsthand the challenges multilingual students and those with disabilities face.
She brings that understanding to the SabaterLAB Foundation, founded in 2021 with her husband, Julio. In 2015, the pair co-founded the Sabater Laboratory for Psychological Innovations Inc. – also known as SabaterLAB.
The Pawtucket-based mental health organization provides culturally responsive services, training and research. The need for a nonprofit to link mental well-being with community outreach grew from SabaterLAB and what Sabater saw in the school systems.
“We integrate education, mental health and community wellness,” Sabater said. “Sometimes that means helping provide transportation, language services or even computer classes.”
While Sabater and her husband are focused on building workforce pipelines in the mental health and education fields, the foundation works to address needs within Pawtucket. For example, the SabaterLAB Clinical Training and Service Internship program provides aspiring professionals with hands-on training and mentorship.
With a focus on bilingual and culturally responsive training, the program helps equip the next generation of practitioners to effectively serve Rhode Island’s diverse population.
By leading the foundation, Sabater can expand access to experiential learning. She’s created partnerships with local schools, universities and mental health agencies, Sabater says.
Sabater also has directly worked with more than 75 women entrepreneurs in early childhood education, equipping these individuals with skills to sustain their businesses and become impactful community leaders. These entrepreneurs received practical training, grant-writing assistance and business development strategies, Sabater says.
Laicely DePina, a SabaterLAB Foundation employee, says she has seen Sabater’s “gentle yet empowering leadership” regularly. Sabater’s thoughtfulness and the way she cares are prevalent – from how she makes all her employees feel safe, appreciated and seen to the innovations she comes up with to help her community grow, DePina says.
“Helping and bringing encouragement isn’t only what she does but is who she is,” DePina said. “A big lesson I’ve learned from Senora Ivelisse is that passion sparks action. Still, perseverance and hope are what drive us forward.”
Sabater’s work earned the foundation numerous grants and awards from organizations, including from the Papitto Opportunity Connection and the XQ School. But seeing the people who come to the foundation succeed is the most rewarding part for Sabatar, she says.
“Addressing the needs of the community, seeing how the interns are impacted, and seeing them succeed and flourish keeps me going,” Sabater said.
Beyond her professional roles, Sabater also interweaves community service in her life. She serves on boards for the Rhode Island Small Business Coalition and the Black Block Community Foundation, among others.
Sabater also serves as a long-standing credentialed minister and community youth pastor. She’s also the author of the recently published book, “El Andamio” (The Scaffold), which explores themes of resilience and transformation, but her life has not been full of linear success.
As she tells her students and others just beginning their professional careers: “Know who you are, stay grounded and humble, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be persistent and remember everyone has their own journey; it’s not always linear. Try your best, stay positive and help others.” n
