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.

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.

PCTA SITE MANAGER
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.

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.

COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
intern@downcitydesign.org

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Sophia Basaldua (she/her) is a freshman at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she is pursuing a degree in Graphic Design. As DCD’s Communications Intern, she assists with photographing afterschool programs, curating social media content, and contributing her design skills across various projects. In her free time, Sophia enjoys spending time with friends, swimming, and writing poems inspired by everyday moments.