SEG Staff
SEG supports over 300 entrepreneurs and businesses a year with a broad range of programs and services in both English and Spanish to help them succeed at every stage of growth. This is the team making it happen.
Kelly Ramirez - CEO she/her/hers
Kelly Ramirez is the CEO of Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG). She teaches/has taught Social Entrepreneurship at RISD, Salve Regina, Providence College, and in the Brown University Leadership Institute Previously, she directed the Social Enterprise Initiative at the William Davidson Institute (WDI) and was an adjunct lecturer at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. She has consulting and project management experience with organizations including Aid to Artisans, the Ford Foundation, the European Commission, USAID, the State Department, and Roche. Kelly also worked as a political analyst for the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Service, an election monitor for the OSCE, and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Slovakia. Kelly received MA Degrees in Public Policy and Urban Planning, completed a leadership and management program at the Ross School of Business, and a nonprofit management program at the Harvard Business School. She was named a Woman to Watch by the Providence Business News, was a BALLE Fellow, and is a mentor at Year Up.
Kelly is the proud mother of three, runs, likes to cook, garden and play the piano. She loves design and is an avid collector of mid century chairs.
Ask me about...
- SEG’s history and strategy
- Ways SEG can better support your venture
- Connections to the many SEG volunteers and partners
Matthew Ramirez -
COO he/him/his
Hablo español
Matt is passionate about building teams, systems, and movements across sectors to foster positive social change. Prior to joining Social Enterprise Greenhouse, Matt was the Senior Regional Management Partner for East Africa with Aspen Management Partnership for Health (AMP Health) where he spent three years working with Malawi’s Ministry of Health to strengthen leadership and management capabilities as well as supporting AMP Health’s initiatives across Zambia and Malawi. Matt’s other international experience includes a Kiva Fellowship working with microfinance institutions in Uganda, a consultancy with Grassroots Business Fund in Peru evaluating social impact of SME-focused investments, and co-founding Teen Support Line to support adolescents living with HIV in Malawi through a free phone hotline service. Matt also spent five years working for PepsiCo with roles in financial planning, strategy, and marketing.
Matt holds an M.A. in Global Human Development from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, where he was a Social Enterprise Fellow and recipient of the Lancaster Award for Student Leadership. He also holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in business from New York University. Matt’s interests include soccer, romcoms (romantic comedies), and corny “dad” jokes.
Ask me about...
- Any of SEG’s programs and services
- Ways SEG can better support your venture
- Partnership opportunities with SEG
Meg Wirth - Program Director she/her/hers
As Director for SEG’s Health and Wellness initiative, Meg runs the business Accelerator for social enterprises focused on public health, wellness and medical innovation. She is also responsible for building partnerships with industry, universities and government interested in leveraging the power of social business for population health in Rhode Island and beyond.
Meg co-founded and launched a social enterprise called Maternova Inc., a pioneering global ecommerce platform for women’s health technologies. In prior roles she has mentored and consulted with dozens of social enterprises, worked at the Rockefeller Foundation on global health equity and secured a Gates Foundation grant to start a global health venture fund. Prior work in public health ranges from safe motherhood programs in Borneo to outreach to teen mothers in the Appalachian region of Eastern Kentucky. She has an undergraduate degree from Harvard University in visual and environmental studies and a Master’s degree in international development from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School.
Meg is intrigued by ferns and lichen, environmental issues, gardens, practices yoga, has tried almost every form of complementary medicine and is beginning to explore RI by stand up paddleboard (SUP).
Ask me about...
- Health and Wellness Ventures
- SEG’s Accelerator Program
- SEG’s Expert Network
- SEG’s Entrepreneurial Peer Support Program
María José Guevara - Budget & Finance Analyst
she/her/hers
Hablo español
María José Guevara is a business and financial professional and a native of Santiago, Chile. Prior to joining Social Enterprise Greenhouse, she served as an Investment Analyst for AFC Chile, which is responsible for investing the country’s unemployment insurance funds in the capital markets. She also previously worked as an Investment Operations Analyst for Santander Bank. Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, finance and human resources, with a major in Business, from the Universidad de Santiago de Chile.
In her free time, María enjoys cooking, exploring her new home in Rhode Island, and going on hikes with her husband and dog. She also serves as a Board Treasurer for The Empowerment Factory, an afterschool and summer learning program for children based in Pawtucket.
Ask me about...
- Program or membership billing
- Anything financial at SEG
- Help with nonprofit financials
Natalie Pruell - Senior Manager Systems & Development she/her/hers
Natalie Pruell grew up in Rhode Island before pursuing her B.A in Political Science and International Studies at Boston College. She comes to SEG with a background in nonprofit operations and development, and most recently worked at the Tanzanian Children’s Fund over the past five years. Natalie is excited to be back in Rhode Island and to have the opportunity to learn from the SEG network of entrepreneurs and advisors as they work to transform our state.
Ask me about...
- Metrics and Impact Tracking
- SEG’s ecosystem’s impact
- Troubleshooting any tech-related snags
Constance Ferber - Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives she/her/hers
Constance Ferber comes to SEG with a background in nonprofit capacity building and knowledge management. At SEG she leads the design and launch of new opportunities that help elevate and reimagine SEG’s programs and services. Prior to joining the team, Constance was the Knowledge Director for Nonprofit New York, where she oversaw the organization’s evaluation strategies and developed reports and resources related to nonprofit management practices and sector-related trends. Constance has a B.A. in Sociology from the College of Wooster and a M.A. in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University.
Constance is an avid fan of bluegrass music, hiking, and the Chesapeake Bay.
Ask me about...
- SEG’s Nonprofit Innovation Lab
- SEG’s programmatic pipeline and curriculum
- New initiatives and opportunities
Austin Wilson - Program Senior Manager he/him/his
Austin grew up south of New Orleans in Louisiana and graduated with a BA in Religion and English from Wheaton College (IL) and an M.Div from Duke University. He comes with a background in community development, most recently working with marginalized communities in rural North Carolina on projects that combined environmental justice and economic development at Resourceful Communities. As the Impact Program Manager, Austin is excited to work with social entrepreneurs to help create more equitable and sustainable economies that work for everyone. When he’s not at SEG, Austin is probably working on music or doing anthropological research on the strange new world of New England.
Ask me about...
- SEG’s Ideator programs
- University partnerships and opportunities for college students
- One-on-one Advising
- Worker Cooperatives
- Community Partnerships
Alexandra Goyette - Senior Manager - Incubator & Newport she/her/hers
A proud New Englander, Allie grew up by the sea and in the woods where she developed a true fondness for nature and its inhabitants. At Wheelock College, she channeled her passion into action, founding the first on-campus environmental group and creating the Environmental Studies Major and Sustainability Minor. Determined to become an agent of change, Allie completed her master’s in Environmental Law & Policy from Vermont Law School with highest honors. As the Food Initiative and Incubator Manager at SEG, Allie is looking forward to managing the Incubator program, supporting local food entrepreneurs, and growing the innovation ecosystem in Rhode Island. She is excited to continue her advocacy work by thinking globally and acting locally. When not working, Allie can be found knitting, gardening, and birding.
Ask me about...
- SEG’s Incubator and Ideator programs
- One-on-one advising
- Finding the right SEG program for your venture
- SEG’s programmatic pipeline and curriculum
Stefanie Engelhardt - Senior Manager - Program Operations she/her/hers
After graduating with a B.A. in Communication and Media Studies from Fordham University, Stefanie returned to her New England roots after living in NYC for a decade.
She has a background in managing program operations and providing participant support from her experience in the nonprofit and education industries. As a Program Operations Manager, Stefanie is so excited to help social impact ventures flourish in New England and beyond!
In her free time, Stefanie enjoys exploring the food scene in New England and gardening, reading, and cooking. Most weekends she can be found hiking with her dog Ginger in the beautiful Rhode Island landscape or playing with her two rabbits, Winchester and Blanche.
Ask me about...
- SEG's Impact Accelerator, Independent Advising, Office Hours or Huddle programs
- Volunteering at SEG!
- Food systems and ventures
- Finding the right SEG program for your venture
Tess Feigenbaum - Senior Manager - Programs & Design she/her/hers
Tess is passionate about creating resilient systems and communities that elevate others and drive meaningful change. Her strategy and design backgrounds drive her to find unlikely connections and seek innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges across sectors and industries.
Prior to joining Social Enterprise Greenhouse, Tess co-founded Epic Renewal, an urban composting social enterprise dedicated to redefining our approach to waste in an urban environment. Her professional experience includes four years as a design researcher and strategist at an impact-driven creative consultancy, where she served clients such as Doctors Without Borders, World Bank Group, and WWF through program design, communications strategy, business development, and human-centered research.
Tess received her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Rhode Island School of Design and considers both Rhode Island and Maine home. In her free time, she loves gardening, woodworking, making and sharing good food, and finding new ways to live with less waste.
Ask me about...
- Coworking at the SEG Hub!
- SEG’s programs and services
- SEG’s environmental initiatives and ventures
Ruth Rodriguez - Manager -
Outreach & Spanish Programs she/her/hers
Hablo español
Ruth Rodríguez nació en Nueva York y se crió en Boston. Como nativa de Boston e hija de una maestra cariñosa e inspiradora, le enseñaron a retribuir en su comunidad. Adquirió varios certificados que contribuyen a su habilidad como líder comunitaria multifacética con experiencia en servicios humanos, coordinación, gestión de proyectos, planificación de eventos y relaciones con los clientes. Recibió certificaciones para Microsoft en 2019, planificación de eventos en Ashworth College en 2017 y en cosmetología en la escuela de belleza Empire en 2015. Ha podido promover un cambio positivo significativo en individuos y comunidades a través de la defensa, el empoderamiento y la compasión. Ella se enorgullece de participar en un enfoque cívico para la construcción de la comunidad y está comprometida con un servicio de por vida basado en experiencias personales y profesionales.
Ruthy trabajó con SEG desde octubre hasta diciembre de 2020 en un proyecto de alcance comunitario en español que resultó en un 95% de aprobaciones positivas de subvenciones, aprobaciones de trabajos remotos y capacitación para pequeñas empresas.
Es madre de seis y nueve nietos. Le encanta la música, bailar salsa, el campo de la belleza y la moda y pasar tiempo de calidad con sus seres queridos.
Preguntame sobre...
- Nuestro centro de apoyo empresarial central de Providence
- Recursos para pequeñas empresas
- Programas y servicios SEG
Ruth Rodriguez was born in New York and raised in Boston. As a Boston native and a daughter of a loving, and inspiring teacher she was taught to give back and give forward in her community. She acquired several certificates that contribute to her skill as a multi-faced community leader with experience in human services, coordinating, project management, event planning and customer relations. She received certifications for Microsoft in 2019, Event planning at Ashworth college in 2017 and in Cosmetology at Empire beauty school in 2015. She has been able to promote significant positive change in individuals and communities through advocacy, empowerment, and compassion. She takes pride in engaging in a civically based approach to the community building and is committed to a life-long service based on personal and professional experiences.
Ruthy worked with SEG in October through December of 2020 on a Spanish community outreach project that resulted in a 95% of positive grant approvals, remote works approvals and coaching for small businesses.
She is a mother of six and 9 grandkids. She loves music, dancing salsa, the beauty and fashion field and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Ask me about...
- Our Central Providence Business Support Center
- Small business resources
- SEG programs & services
Margaret E. Garcia - Hub Manager she/her/hers
Margaret has always been driven by social change and positively transforming her community. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs create bold and innovative social impact. Her education and communication skills warrant her the ability to cultivate a safe and creative space for entrepreneurial problem -solvers to gather and use their minds to solve our communities toughest challenges.
Prior to joining Social Enterprise Greenhouse, Margaret was on the founding team for two Charter Schools right here in Providence. Her professional experience includes over nine years of operational management and providing translation services to different hospitals over Rhode Island.
Margaret is receiving her bachelor's degree from Rhode Island College in English Literature with a concentration on Creative Writing. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends, reading and bringing new life to vintage and second-hand furniture with her business partner and best friend.
Ask me about...
- Coworking at SEG
Kristine Pearson - Program Coordinator - Talent Management & Newport they/them/theirs
Kristine is a fifth-year AmeriCorps VISTA. Their professional experience includes job coaching for unhoused individuals and serving as a Resident Services Coordinator in Newport, Rhode Island.
As the Program and Measurement VISTA, Kristine manages the Talent Matchmaking program that connects businesses with employees, interns, and volunteers. They also assist with data management and volunteer recruitment.
Kristine's favorite music artists are David Bowie, Joy Division, and Nico.
Ask me about...
- Hiring interns and employees
- Recruiting and onboarding volunteers
- Data tracking and metrics
Akisch Lenus - Program Coordinator he/him/his
Akisch Lenus is an entrepreneur born on the beautiful Island of St.Maarten. He comes with a background in brand development and management. His experience working with award winning artists, major record labels and internationally recognized brands led him to start Love Trust Loyalty, a management and consultant firm.
Ask me about...
- Finding the right support for your venture
- SEG's Accelerator, Incubator, and Ideator Programs
- SEG Independent Advising
Rachael Brady -
Program Coordinator she/her/hers
Hablo español
Rachael Brady grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She then attended George Washington University where she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile and spent much of her time with the Honey W. Nashman Center where she led a service trip to El Paso, Texas focusing on Immigration and Border Community Rights. In May 2020 she graduated Magna cum laude with a B.A. in International Affairs and Spanish. She wrote her Spanish Honors Thesis on the representation of fragmented families along the US-MX border in modern literature.
In October 2020, she joined the Brown University AmeriCorps VISTA Fellowship cohort and is excited to serve as the Program Development VISTA for SEG. She looks forward to learning more about what it means to create a sustainable economy as she supports the expansion of SEG programming to Pawtucket and Central Falls.
In her spare time, Rachael enjoys creative writing, exploring, running, and playing piano.
Ask me about...
- Spanish Language Programming
- SEG’s Incubator and Accelerator Programs
- Buy Local Campaign
Constance Ferber
Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives
Constance Ferber comes to SEG with a background in nonprofit capacity building and knowledge management. At SEG she leads the design and launch of new opportunities that help elevate and reimagine SEG’s programs and services. Prior to joining the team, Constance was the Knowledge Director for Nonprofit New York, where she oversaw the organization’s evaluation strategies and developed reports and resources related to nonprofit management practices and sector-related trends. Constance has a B.A. in Sociology from the College of Wooster and a M.A. in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University.
Constance is an avid fan of bluegrass music, hiking, and the Chesapeake Bay.