Heart of Rhode Island Networking Event Celebrates Four Year Anniversary

Committee members pose next to a Ten31 Productions live statue.

Rhode Island is no stranger to nepotism. With the title of smallest state, it’s no wonder why seemingly everyone is related in some way. For some, getting ahead in their careers is as easy as calling up their uncle, dad or even second cousin to either hire them or put in a good word for them at a company. But what about those who don’t have that option? Going through the hiring process is daunting and, unfortunately, not always successful. Luckily, connections can be made even outside of your blood line and it’s networking events that aid in that process, networking events like Heart of Rhode Island.

The networking event, which just celebrated its fourth anniversary, has been bringing together professionals since March of 2022. Deb Honor, Heart of Rhode Island’s founder and organizer, started the event because she wanted a space for professionals to build genuine connections, swap meaningful stories and expand their impact. What started as an idea has transformed into a monthly event fulfilling all of Honors goals. The event, which takes place at the CIC in Providence, consistently sells out month after month.

“The consistency of attendance and the energy that they bring is so positive and high for such an early morning event,” says Noah Yandow, who handles events at the CIC. “This year we’re pushing to encourage the internal clients who are already in the building to come and be a part of this crew, because the ones that have attended had such a good experience.”

The monthly event happens in the morning between 8 – 10 am. Attendees first enjoy a buffet style breakfast complete with homemade and locally sourced items like waffles, fresh fruit, and bagels with a variety of cream cheeses, among other breakfast items. The food is provided by All Season Catering, which has plans to stay on as the permanent caterer for all Heart of Rhode Island events in the future.

Coffee is provided by Fundati Coffee, a brick-and-mortar coffee shop out of Lincoln that also provided catering. Popping up at many networking events, Fundati Coffee owner Alicia DeCastro points out the main stand out qualities of this one.

“Obviously it starts with Deb and the Heart of Rhode Island Committee, who just infuse positivity and joy into everyone,” says DeCastro. “I feel like other networking events, especially in the morning, have such a mixed energy but here it’s all light and upbeat energy.”

Heart of Rhode Island celebrated its four birthday at its March networking event, complete with cupcakes from P Bon Bakery and a sold-out room of over 150 people. Lisa Jones of Residential Properties sponsored the event and brought in Ten 31 Productions to provide live performance art. Two living mosaic statues based on Byzantine mosaics were present to interact with attendees.

“The event is aptly named because there is so much heart,” says Joseph Pari, executive director of Ten 31 Productions. “There was such an energetic crowd and a lively environment like that is ideal for our performers.”

Honor gave a speech about the history of the event towards the end of the morning, once the networking had finished. The speech featured testimonies from previous and current attendees, with one telling a standout story proving how powerful the event is.

“I own a staffing firm in Providence and we had a position that was very difficult to fill,” they say. “It was open for weeks and I attended Heart of Rhode Island and met a candidate who sent her resume that afternoon. She ended up getting the job.”

Honor finished off the day as she always does, with bright smiles and infectious positivity, sharing the big news that Heart of Rhode Island’s reach will soon be larger as Honor and her sister have been accepted into the Social Enterprise Greenhouse incubator program. Through the program, Honor hopes to build the event out in every capital of every state across the country. While big plans are set for the future, Honor is for now still reeling from the four-year anniversary celebrations.

“It was so fun to watch the spark from the second people arrived and saw the live art right through the end,” says Honor. “Seeing the happiness and the connections that are being formed in this room brings me so much joy every time.”

Learn more about the monthly networking event by clicking here.