As the Assistant Director of Professional and Executive Business Education, Stef draws upon a wealth of expertise in client services, account management, business development, marketing, and corporate training. Throughout her dynamic career – whether leading teams in the fashion industry, launching new departments in the financial services industry, or building strategic partnerships for URI’s Schmidt Center for Labor Relations and Human Resources – Stef has consistently elevated employee and partner learning and engagement by streamlining communications and facilitating a sense of community. Her ability to forge and nurture trusting, collaborative relationships has been the hallmark of her professional journey.

Since returning to URI, her alma mater, to earn her Master of Science in Labor Relations and Human Resources, Stef demonstrated her commitment to continuous learning and improvement through becoming a two-time recipient of the URI College of Business Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mini-Grant for Student Success activities. During her time as URI SHRM’s Student Chapter President, the chapter received the SHRM Student Chapter Merit Award and Superior Merit Award consecutively. Stef has also completed URI’s Diversity and Inclusion Badge Program, and is Safe Zone and Mental Health First Aid certified. Stef is a dedicated advocate for workforce development, lifelong learning, and diverse and inclusive communities and organizations. She fuels her love of coaching and mentoring, facilitating understanding, and inspiring empathy through her work as a part-time faculty member, leading a course on HR Development at the College of Business.

Through her volunteer commitments, Stef proudly serves on the board of the Rhode Island Society for Human Resource Management as the Director of Sponsorship, supports the Steering Committee for the Human Rights Campaign of New England, and has advised local policymakers on the unique needs of nontraditional and adult students. Additionally, she consults with the National Academy of Arbitrators NE Region’s DEIB Committee, providing research, instructional design, and workshop facilitation services.