We are Rhode Island’s premier culinary incubator, ranking in the top 10% in the country. Since firing up the kitchens for the first time in October 2014, our team has helped launch over 400 food and beverage-related businesses, with numerous graduates now operating out of their own spaces.
Our staff, Board, consultants and contributors are a comprehensive resource to our members, offering a wealth of industry, entrepreneurial and technical expertise, allowing us to meet individual needs for each business work with.
The People Helping to Make Food Your Business
Luca Carnevale
Executive Director
Mike Mowry
Director for Member Success
Alison Mountford
Director of Marketing & Communications
Martha Perez-Barton
Director of Incubation
Waterman Brown
Business Development & Chief Taster
Herman “Dutch” deKoe
Research & Special Projects
Meri Spicer
Entrepreneurship Program Manager
Gerry Furtado
Contract Manufacturing Manager
Shelby Doggett
Director of Food Systems Equity
Sydney Montstream-Quas
Advancement Officer
Paul Estrella
Facilities Director
Jebeth Rubio
Member Success Manager
Christopher Franciscus
Contract Manufacturing Supervisor
Cole Wolkner
Finance Manager
Genesis Pimentel Lugo
Entrepreneurship Program Manager
Taylor Rash
Food Systems Equity Coordinator
Melanie Espaillat
MBE/ WBE Certification & Business Support Specialist
Downtown Makers Marketplace
Benny Barber
Executive Incubation Chef
Jealani Laughlin
Merchandizing Manager & Catering Coordinator
Lisa Raiola, MPH | CHAIR
President & Founder, Hope & Main
Lisa has more than has more than 30 years of experience in program development and advancement at non-profit organizations in healthcare and higher education with a special focus on distributive justice, social responsibility and economic development. Recently retired as the VP for Advancement at Roger Williams University. Previously, Lisa was a Clinical Assistant Professor for Community Health and Medical Ethics at the Brown University School of Medicine where she developed and instructed courses in public health research; health promotion and disease prevention; food security and food justice; healthcare financing and system reform; and health disparity and the burden of disease.
Board of Directors
Lisa J. Raiola, MPH | CHAIR
Founder and President, Hope & Main
Lisa Bergeron | CO-CHAIR
Founder and Co-Creator, Advancing Workplace Excellence
Inna Walker | TREASURER
Relationship Manager, Berkshire Bank
Lanre Ajakaiye | SECRETARY
Chief Executive Officer, 25 Bough & IXL Consulting Group
Kyle Adamonis, SHRM-CP PHR
Vice President Human Resources, Pariseault Builders Inc.
Kenneth Banalewicz
Specialty Food/Produce Buyer, Dave’s Marketplace
William Bigelow
Chief Operating Officer, Blount Fine Foods
Tino Chow
President & Founder, Giant Shoulders
Michael Goldberg, Esq., M.
Goldberg Law LLC
Rosamond Lu
Sales and Leasing Agent, Luxury Residential Group
Maureen Maloney
Founder, Sacred Cow Granola
Hope & Main Providence Board of Directors
Lisa J. Raiola, MPH | CHAIR
Founder and President, Hope & Main
Luca Carnevale | SECRETARY
Executive Director, Hope & Main
Scott Bromberg
Executive Director, RI Food Dealers Association
Chef Sanjiv Dhar
President, India House Inc
Neil Veloso
Executive Director, Brown Technology Innovations
Juan Wilson, Jr.
CEO & Founder, The MUSE Foundation
Doris De Los Santos
Supplier Diversity Director, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RII