PROVIDENCE – Elizabeth M. Tanner, who has led R.I. Commerce Corp. since June 2022, is leaving the quasi-government agency, effective July 4, to serve as executive director for a new nonprofit created by the administration of Gov. Daniel J. McKee in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s arrival.
McKee, whose approval ratings plummeted in a recent University of New Hampshire poll, announced the change in a press release touting the formation of Ocean State 2026. The latter will be chaired by R.I. Treasurer James Diossa and focused on ensuring the state “maximizes the exceptional economic opportunities” by working with regional organizations and the business sector “to ensure a unified and impactful presence before, during, and after” the tournament stop scheduled from June 13 to July 9, 2026.
Tanner succeeded Stefan Pryor, the state’s first commerce secretary, who resigned in June 2022 in order to run for state treasurer.
When she was appointed commerce secretary, Tanner said it was an “honor” to step into a role allowing her to continue promoting the state’s economic and workforce development.
Tanner first joined Commerce to serve as vice president of client services from 2015 to 2017.
Before leading R.I. Commerce, Tanner led the R.I. Department of Business Regulation beginning in 2017, overseeing the state’s third-largest agency revenue source.
In a statement, Tanner said she looked forward to continuing her service and “helping ensure our state makes the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The administration said an interim Commerce secretary will be named by July 4.
Tanner told Providence Business News the idea to launch the nonprofit was first broached to her during discussions with Boston 2026 – the city’s organizing committee that won the contract to bring the FIFA matches to Gillette Stadium in nearby Foxborough, Mass.
Tanner did some research on the merits of creating a separate nonprofit and met with Boston 2026 officials a month ago before pitching the idea to McKee two weeks later.
“It became clear that you needed to open up a separate 501 [c3] to facilitate the sponsorship dollars,” she said. “I presented a plan, and he accepted it.”
Tanner said the tentative plan is to run the nonprofit until the conclusion of the World Cup visit. Any decision to continue it “would depend on a variety of factors.”
The World Cup matches at Gillette are estimated to bring 1 million people traveling through the Providence metro area with a projected economic impact exceeding $330 million.
Farouk Rajab, the Rhode Island Hospitality Association’s CEO and president, told PBN on Tuesday he was sorry to see Tanner depart R.I. Commerce, described her as a “great partner” for the state’s hospitality sector.
Rajab said Tanner was instrumental in continuing the state’s “Take it Outside” restaurant initiative, encouraging establishments to hold outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tanner also took the lead on a “restaurant tool kit” in R.I.
Commerce’s website helped establishments reopen safely during the health crisis, Rajab said, as well as helped businesses impacted by the Washington Bridge partial closure get microgrants to fill in any financial losses they incurred.
“She really helped streamline any regulations,” Rajab said.
Rajab also expressed concern about another top official leaving R.I. Commerce in recent weeks. Back on May 21, Anika Kimble-Huntley, who was hired in 2021 to direct the state’s marketing and tourism strategy, left R.I. Commerce for a job with Las Vegas-based Resorts World Inc.
“Now, we have two great leaders who left their post [at R.I. Commerce],” Rajab said. “Commerce is a very important department that supports hospitality and tourism in the state.”
Moving forward, Rajab hopes the new commerce secretary can continue to support the growth of Rhode Island’s second-largest industry that employs more than 80,000 people, much like how Tanner and Stefan Pryor had previously. He also said the hospitality association plans on connecting with McKee to offer input on nominating a new commerce secretary.
Christian Cowan, executive director of the URI Research Foundation, parent organization of Polaris MEP, said that Tanner has a long record of supporting the state's manufacturing community.
"[Tanner] has been a tremendous advocate for manufacturing in Rhode Island ever since before she was secretary," Cowan said. "Her voice in Rhode Island for manufacturers made a huge impact," he continued, highlighting advocacy and programs such as Innovation Vouchers. The ongoing program allows businesses with less than 500 employees to apply for up to $75,000 in research and development funding.
Cowan said he is confident manufacturing will continue to grow within Rhode Island, highlighting the strengthening presence of ocean-based manufacturers such as Regent Craft, Jaia Robotics and Flux Marine.
Going forward, Cowan said he would "love to see someone that understands the impact that manufacturing has on the state not just in the 1,400-plus [sector] employers, but also the multiplier that they add for other industries.
"That understanding involves a continued focus on programs like the Innovation Vouchers, but also connections between universities and employers, Cowan added.
Tanner says she is confident there will be a smooth leadership transition and that her successor will continue to build on the economic initiatives achieved during her tenure, viewing her own legacy at R.I. Commerce primarily as one that helped reduce regulatory red tape.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is making it easier to do business with the state,” she said. “We just don’t get the complaints that we used to because of the work that so many people did to make it easier. It was a cultural change in order to have state employees focused on helping businesses.”
As for returning to public service, Tanner declined to speculate but noted she became Commerce secretary three weeks before the agency’s board of directors approved funding for the Tidewater Landing stadium in Pawtucket.
“So, I started with soccer and now I’m ending with soccer,” she said. “Maybe soccer is in my future.”
(UPDATES throughout with comment from Tanner.)
