2025 POLICY & AWARDS LUNCHEON
November 3, 2025

About the Event

The Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families is thrilled to bring together community human service and health providers with corporate, government, and philanthropic leaders at our 2025 Policy and Awards Luncheon. First initiated in 2018 and suspended during the COVID-19 epidemic, our event celebrates the work of our sector in promoting the safety, health, and success of children, youth, and families. This year’s luncheon will be an opportunity to hear from a dynamic leader in our field, honor elected leaders and lift up particular legislative actions and recognize the contributions of public sector and community champions.

RICCF is a statewide Coalition comprised of forty-two community-based organizations and allied groups providing or advocating for comprehensive and quality social and health services for children, youth, and their families in every community in Rhode Island (see list www/riccf.org/members). Our mission is to educate, advocate, and collaborate for transformational, equitable and just policies, practices, and resources to support and strengthen children, youth, families, and communities.

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to seeing you to celebrate our award recipients on November 3rd.

Keynote Speaker

Kimberly R. Lyle

Kimberly R. Lyle is a collaborative leader advancing affordable housing development and impact finance, with an unwavering commitment to social and economic equity in partnership with historically underinvested communities. Having grown up in community development corporation housing and experienced firsthand the transformative impact of community-based support programs, Kimberly brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive and realize their potential.

As Chief Executive Officer of Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC), Kimberly leads a powerhouse Boston-based organization that combines the reach of a community development corporation (CDC) with the financial impact of a community development financial institution (CDFI). Under her leadership, DBEDC's dynamic $229 million portfolio includes 900+ affordable rental homes, 40,000 square feet of thriving commercial space, a $2 million microenterprise loan fund energizing local entrepreneurs, and $11 million in operating revenue.

Known for her incisive wit, unwavering persistence, and remarkable ability to see connections that others miss, Kimberly has positioned DBEDC at the forefront of equitable development and inclusive economic opportunity creation. She honors the organization's deep community roots while pushing boundaries to tackle today's pressing challenges in housing affordability, wealth creation, and small business empowerment.

Kimberly brings rich cross-sector experience from leadership roles in financial technology, financial services, and higher education. Her commitment to mission-driven leadership extends beyond DBEDC. She serves as Board Chair of the Cooperative Fund of the Northeast, Vice President of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, and board member of the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency.

A proud Bostonian from the historically significant Roxbury neighborhood, Kimberly holds a Master of Public Policy from Tufts University, a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Rutgers University, and pursued graduate studies in social anthropology at Harvard University.