Who are we?
We are a small team of talented professionals with a long history of working with Rhode Island Manufacturers. Our goal is to match Rhode Island workers with great jobs in local manufacturing. We are passionate about what we do and extremely proud of our success stories.
Barbara Jackson
Executive Director
Barbara has been working in workforce development for over 15 years. Prior to that, she held key management positions in state and municipal governments including the Budget Director for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She presently serves on the RI Apprentice Council and is an avid sailor.
Email me: barb@wemakeri.com
Gerry Marzilli
VP of Safety
Gerry worked for 28 years as the Safety and Training officer at Toray plastics. He is currently the principal at Safety Coach, LLC. a member of the Board of Directors of the Leadership Partnership of RI and serves as We Make RI’s VP of Safety.
Email me: gerry@wemakeri.com
Michael Araujo
Production Technician Program Coordinator
Michael started his career in the supermarket business before moving into manufacturing. He has previously served on the Pawtucket School Committee and is now serving as a Pawtucket City Councilor At Large. He is also a member of the Pawtucket Lions club. Michael is currently leading our production technician program.
Email me: mike@wemakeri.com
Rachel Menard
Communications Director
Rachel comes to us from Gloria Duchin, Inc., a RI manufacturer of Christmas ornaments, where she managed the website and design. For press inquiries or comments about the website, please contact her below.
Email me: rachel@wemakeri.com
Mindy Caster
Outreach Specialist
Mindy comes to We Make RI from the Armory Management Company. From connecting people to their dream apartment, she is now connecting them to their dream job. Please contact her if you are looking for a new career or have a job to post.
Email me: mindy@wemakeri.com
Jeanne Moore
Accounting
Jeanne has worked for over 20 years as an Accountant in RI non-profits. She has a BS in Accounting from JWU along with a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialty in TESOL from Shenandoah University. She has also taught ESOL at several RI locations. When she’s not working, she enjoys the arts, especially music and theatre.
Email me: jeanne@wemakeri.com
Barkisu Cole
Industrial Textile Program Coordinator
Barkisu has her masters in Human Development and Family Studies from URI and has worked in the community for advocacy of families and students for over a decade. In 2019 she started her own fashion design company, BCV Design, and at We Make RI, she is sharing her passion for sewing and creation with our manufacturing students.
Email me: barkisu@wemakeri.com
Will Lopera
Partner Branding and Events
Will comes to us with a long history of retail management and event branding. A graduate of Johnson and Wales, he’s spent years mentoring for Shea Fashion, an after-school program, and is now working with We Make RI to develop new partnerships and coordinate events.
Email me: will@wemakeri.com
Want to work with us?
We don’t have any open positions at the moment, but
we’ll post to our job board when we do.