WBOB Original Reads

9 RI Influencers to Watch in 2017

2/24/2017

WBOB Board of Directors

2017 is certainly off to an interesting start.

In addition to a tumultuous political climate, this year also marks the 10th Anniversary for 990WBOB. In honor of this momentous occasion, Rhode Island's favorite independent media outlet decided it's best to look forward, rather than ahead.

Thus, Thursday evening, WBOB hosted its first-ever Influencers Charity Cocktail Gala to honor 9 Influencers to Watch in 2017. All proceeds for the event will be donated to Potter League for Animals.

WBOB's Board of Directors poured through dozens of potential candidates from the arts, humanities, media, sports, and community, we identified 9 individuals as significantly noteworthy, and representative of the potential for great accomplishment in the coming year – and beyond.

See the 9 Influencers to Watch in 2017 below!

Jared Moffat
Director at Regulate Rhode Island

With the attention gained from the decriminalization and regulation of cannabis in several states, marijuana legalization seems to be an inevitability in the Ocean State. This push, however, has not happened by coincidence. The efforts of community activists like Jared Moffat, Founder and Director of Regulate Rhode Island have been integral to the cause and vital to the efforts to end marijuana prohibition. Now Moffat is not the typical stoner - his motives are not for personal consumption - but rather to end the costly and fruitless war on drugs, and to create a tax-generating marketplace for cannabis sale and consumption to replace the current underground marijuana trade with regulated consumer businesses.

Pawtucket City Councilor Sandra Cano accepts her Influencer Award Thursday evening at the WBOB Influencers Charity Cocktail Gala

Sandra Cano
Pawtucket City Councilor (At-Large)

City Councilor Sandra Cano moved to the US from Columbia in 2000 to reunite with her family. Through hard work and determination she graduated from Bryant, and became the first Latina elected to the Pawtucket School Committee in November 2012. She followed that up with election to Pawtucket’s City Council in 2014 and was re-elected in 2016 with the largest amount of at-large votes city-wide. Cano isalso involved with Crash Pawtucket, a local initiative which highlights Pawtucket businesses, she is also Assistant Vice President of Business & Community Development at Navigant Credit Union.

Boxer Richard Gingras at the ribbon cutting for The Parkinson's Place.

Richard Gingras
Professional Boxer, Owner at The Parkinson's Place

Initially known for his bloody, bruising battles in the ring, Richard Gingras has transformed his boxing career into that of community service. Working around the clock for more than a year, Gingras and his family opened The Parkinson's Place in 2016 - helping patients with Parkinson's Disease to manage their illness through the sweet science. The non-contact boxing-style exercises taught at The Parkinson's Place have been significant in improving the quality of life for its patients.

State Rep. Bobby Nardolillo and family.

Robert "Bobby" Nardolillo
RI State Representative (Dist. 28)

Having worked for his family’s funeral business for several years, Bobby Nardolillo had the opportunity to speak to many different Rhode Islanders, often at a very difficult time in their lives. In 2014, Nardolillo saw an opportunity to reach and help even more Rhode Islanders, and ran for public office, seeking - and winning - a seat in the General Assembly. On Smith Hill, Nardolillp has worked tirelessly for his constituents and advocates common senses policies, for example, he has led the effort to install seat belts and ignition interlock devices on all school buses. He’s also been a tireless critic of Governor Raimondo and Senator Whitehouse, leading to speculation that he may run for Governor or U.S. Senate in upcoming elections.

(photo credit: Connie Grosch)

Kim Kalunian
Reporter at WPRI

Kim Kalunian is near and dear to WBOB. Her talents in media and performance art were evident upon her first WBOB appearance, and her charisma, charm, and intelligence led us to believe that she'd soon be a star. It's become clear through her recent accomplishments that we are starting to be proven right. Kim has been an occasional contributor to WBOB and a favorite guest over the years, logging several episodes of her news and lifestyle web shorts entitled "The BROADcast. However, Kim is best known for her contributions to Trinity Repertory Company, as a radio news anchor at WPRO, and currently as a Reporter for WPRI-TV - where she recently became the first person to pose a question at a White House press briefing via Skype.

Fan Vote Winner!
Ryan Bessette
Owner Rogue Island Local Kitchen & Bar

A pioneer of the farm-to-table trend in Providence, Ryan Bessette set to establish a restaurant that offers "approachable farm to table" cuisine in an informal atmosphere. Bessette opened Rogue Island Local Kitchen and Bar within the historic Providence Arcade in 2013, offering menu items inspired by the people, produce, and protein of the state of Rhode Island. The all-local establishment features frequently changing menu highlights the ingredients of the local food system. Craft beer and spirits offerings are hand selected from local nano/micro brewers and distillers.

Allan Fung
Mayor of Cranston

First elected as Cranston's Mayor in 2009, Allan Fung has become a highly celebrated civic leader to the state's third largest city. In his latest campaign for mayor, Fung won an overwhelming 68% of the vote in Cranston, launching his fifth term as the city's top official. Mayor Fung became a household name in 2014, as he challenged current Governor Gina Raimondo as the Republican Gubernatorial nominee. Fung's track record of bringing new businesses to the city speaks for itself, from L.L. Bean in historic Garden City to Alex and Ani in the beautiful Chapel View complex. With the 2018 Rhode Island state elections around the corner, many Cranstonians and Rhode Islanders across the state are wondering - will he challenge Raimondo again?

Rep. Moira Walsh (Dist. 3) in the General Assembly

Rep. Moira Walsh
State Rep. (Dist. 3)

What started as an effort to lobby for increases to tipped minimum wage turned into a full-blown political campaign for Moira Walsh. Walsh, a single mother and career waitress, first made waves when she co-wrote the article "101 things I’ve done (and do) at 2.89 an hour…" and soon found herself on the ballot as a Democrat seeking the District 3 seat for State Representative, challenging incumbent Thomas Palangio. Walsh took down the incumbent by a narrow margin, and with no Republican challenger, became a first-term representative in the General Assembly.

Pat Sullivan pays tribute to Dorian Murray at a CES MMA Event in March 2016.

Pat Sullivan
Director of Operations at CES MMA

If you Google "Pat Sullivan," you will likely find results for a former Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn University - or you might stumble upon the famous cartoonist known for drawing Felix the Cat. The Pat Sullivan who has established himself as a Rhode Island Influencer, however, works days for his family business, and nights as matchmaker for the biggest MMA promotion company in the northeast. He even moonlights as the Public Address announcer for Boston University athletics. But it's his work in the community that makes Sullivan most worthy of recognition. He speaks publicly to groups about his experiences through the tragic loss of his mother, for whom he has honored by establishing a memorial foundation in her name - through which, Sullivan raises thousands of dollars annually.