EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR + CO-FOUNDER
adrienne@downcitydesign.org

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Adrienne co-founded DCD in 2009 to help people design and build solutions for their communities and was later awarded the 2013 RI Innovation Fellowship for her plan to expand design education in RI. She has served as adjunct faculty in RISD’s Architecture Dept, where she taught a course on socially engaged design. Prior to her work with DCD, Adrienne was Education Director for Providence CityArts for Youth and a curator for SFMOMA. She graduated magna cum laude from Yale and received her MA in Design Education from RISD.

EDUCATION DIRECTOR
anna@downcitydesign.org

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Anna is an educator and designer with a long-standing commitment to equitable, youth-centered arts education programming. Anna earned her MA in Education Policy and Analysis from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she was an Urban Scholars Fellow with a concentration in Arts & Learning. She also holds a BFA in Printmaking from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BA in History from the University of Rhode Island. Anna is excited to join DownCity Design’s team to support programs that help young people design for a more sustainable, just, and joyful future.

SITE DIRECTOR
marlyne@downcitydesign.org

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Marlyne is a lifelong Rhode Island resident. Over the last decade she has served in various roles in education and community settings with youth. Marlyne is an alumna of Central High School and received her BS in Human Development and Family Studies from URI. She is currently pursuing her MPA at Roger Williams University through evening classes. She brings to this PCTA Site Manager role her exceptional organizational skills, experience in school settings, and passion for education. In her free time she enjoys spending quality time with her son and reading a book by the ocean.

OPERATIONS MANAGER
emma@downcitydesign.org

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Emma is a designer and educator passionate about teaching and learning with creative young people. She holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts and an MFA in Furniture Design from RISD, with a Certificate in Teaching Art + Design. Her work has been exhibited by Friedman Benda, Sight Unseen, and the RISD Museum. As a Rhode Island native, Emma found her passion for the arts working at Yellow Peril Gallery as a teen and later developed an interest in art education managing Wesleyan University's Digital Design Studio, where she restructured student staffing for equity and professional support. Emma enjoys film photography, cooking, DJing, sewing, pilates, and spending time with her partner Tim and cat Stretchy.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
yolizbeth@downcitydesign.org

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Yolizbeth is a Brown alumna, where she studied Visual Arts and English – as such, she is incredibly passionate about art-making and telling stories. As DCD's Community Engagement Manager, she hopes to support their mission to make design tools and knowledge more accessible in whatever way she can. When she has the time, you will often find Yolizbeth knitting a pair of socks, listening to one of her many CDs, or spending time with her cat Mebh.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR
programs@downcitydesign.org

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Angel Ramos is a lifelong RI resident and proud graduate of College Unbound, where he earned his BA in Organizational Leadership and Change. He looks forward to bringing his decade of experience working with and for the Providence community to support DCD as the Program Coordinator. With a passion for community building and education, Angel is dedicated to helping students develop confidence, problem-solving skills, and a sense of belonging. Outside of work, Angel enjoys exploring photography, fitness, and projects that bring people together.

EVALUATION & ENGAGEMENT FELLOW
intern@downcitydesign.org

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Quyen Nguyen (they/she) is an undergraduate student at Brown University studying Economics and International and Public Affairs with a focus on Development. Quyen joined DownCity Design because of her passion for supporting community-based initiatives that foster youth development and empowerment, helping young people discover their passions and envision their futures by accessing educational opportunities. As an artist, Quyen believes visual arts and design have the power to amplify marginalized voices, strengthen community ties, and create more equitable societies.

COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
intern@downcitydesign.org

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Hannah (she/her) is an artist pursuing a bachelor's degree in Glass at RISD. She has always been passionate about nurturing the minds of young people through arts education. As their new Communications Intern, she looks forward to creating content that highlights the artists, ideas, and work happening at DownCity while also showcasing how the program fosters and strengthens a creative community.

DESIGN/BUILD LEAD EDUCATOR

DESIGN/BUILD LEAD EDUCATOR

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Lillyanne Fisher (she/her) loves to create, especially alongside others. An artist, community programmer, and recent graduate of RISD Sculpture, she believes in the transformative experience of art education. She sees collaborative making as one of the most powerful ways to cultivate community and can't wait to create with DownCity Design this summer.

DESIGN/BUILD TEACHING ASSISTANT

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Enrique Salgado (he/him) is an alumni of DCD returning once again, but now as a TA. Enrique is excited to come back and share the wisdom and skills he has gained throughout his journey with DCD!

CREATIVE CHANGE TEACHING ASSISTANT

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Millie Cheng (she/her) is a furniture design student at RISD who enjoys making, teaching, and exploring how design can shape the way people experience the world. She joined DCD because she values design as a collaborative process and loves helping students turn ideas into tangible outcomes. This summer, she is excited to guide students through everything from research and prototyping to fabrication while working with real clients and community partners.

CREATIVE CHANGE LEAD EDUCATOR

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Apollo Rios Lomba (he/they) is a Black Latino trans-masc visual storyteller that blends physical and digital media. They were born and raised in Providence, RI and they have a BFA from Pratt Institute in Communications Design: Illustration. Their body of work lovingly spotlights people of color by using elements of Black culture with epic fantasy, dynamic movement, and bright chromatic colors. Apollo is excited to rejoin DCD this summer and work with another amazing group of young creatives!

CREATIVE CHANGE LEAD EDUCATOR

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Catalina Martínez (she/her) is an artist, educator, and recent graduate of the Printmaking MFA program at RISD. Her artistic practice explores how meaning is created through everyday experiences, focusing on the relationships between people and the ordinary objects that shape domestic life. As an educator, Catalina is passionate about fostering collaborative and creative learning environments where students can think critically, make with intention, and design in community for community. She believes that creating together is a meaningful way to build knowledge, curiosity, and connection.

CREATIVE CHANGE TEACHING ASSISTANT

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Nica Santoro (she/her) is currently pursuing her BFA in painting at Rhode Island College. As a DownCity Design alumna, she is enthusiastic to be spending another summer working with fellow young designers to bring beautiful art installations into the Providence community. She is so excited to work with everyone this summer and create something that will positively impact the community!

CREATIVE CHANGE TEACHING ASSISTANT

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Jis Wilkins-Speaks (he/him) is an incoming sophomore at RISD where he is pursuing a BFA in Painting. His passion for working with youth stems from the extensive amount of accessible art programs he was in as a child (including DCD!) and a desire to be able to give back to his community. He’s most excited about finishing TV shows he’s been putting off for months, spending time with friends, and going to see HORSES!