STAFF DIRECTORY
OLINDA URIZAR-MENDEZ
Minority Business Support Director
As Minority Business Support Director, Olinda acts as the Liaison between Commerce and local organizations providing access to capital and technical assistance to minority business (MBEs), developing and managing a pilot grant program dedicated to MBE businesses, and ensure Rhode Island’s MBEs have access to the right and best-fit physical space to conduct operations.Professional Background
Olinda Urizar-Mendez is a first-generation Guatemalan immigrant with over 20 years of experience with for-profit and non-governmental organizations working with the Inter-faith and Latinx community in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Most recently, Olinda served as the City of Providence Director of Executive Operations, Inter-Faith, and Latinx Liaison. Prior to this role, Olinda managed three flagship offices, directed an adult education program, was the Community Engagement supervisor as well as the Latinx public relations point person for H& R Block and was an ITIN Certified Agent with the Internal Revenue Service.
Education
Olinda holds a Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) from Harvard University in Government and Social Justice, a Political Science and Public Administration BA from Rhode Island College as well as an Ordain Minister from Harvest Ministries. She is President and co-founder of Movimiento de Fe Civico (MOFECI), Vice President of Rhode Island Professional Latinx Association (RIPLA), Chair of Audubon Society of RI Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee, Board member of Providence Promise and member of Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society).
