Conversations with Women of Distinction with Angela Lima

Join us for this new series of monthly fireside chats at Innovate Newport with a local Woman of Distinction (entrepreneur, businesswoman, elected official, community leader, or author) and the Chamber President.

All are welcome to coffee, tea, fruit, and pastries upon arrival. The speaking program will begin around 9:15 and guests will hear a 20-30 minute conversation and have the opportunity to ask questions to follow. After the Q&A, all are welcome to stay and network. The Conversations with Women of Distinction series is sponsored by Newport This Week.

Our November Woman of Distinction is Angela Lima, Womens Fund RI and Newport City Council

We are happy to announce our November Woman of Distinction, Newport City Councilor and Policy and Advocacy Director of Women's Fund of Rhode Island, Angela Lima!

Councilor Angela Lima is a member of the Newport City Council and is the second woman of color and the first queer woman from the LGBTQ+ community. Councilor Lima has served on the council for the last six years and has championed initiatives focused on environmental justice related to reducing carbon footprint, gas emissions, and implementing electric and solar initiatives. Councilor Lima has also reallocated resources in the millions to focus on stormwater runoff in neighborhoods and surrounding businesses. Focusing on Urban development and zoning practices, Councilor Lima was the first in the state and second in New England to bring Equitable Development zoning into practice. Councilor Lima also championed a two-tiered tax system saving homeowners thousands of dollars. Councilor Lima was also responsible for installing Rhode Island’s First Pride Crosswalk. Councilor Lima is the Council Liaison to 5 city commissions; Miantonomi Park, Tree and Open Space, Energy and Environment Commission, Military Affairs-US Navy, and Newport Chamber of Commerce Commission. Councilor Lima is a member of the Naval War College Foundation, Leadership Rhode Island alumni, and the Women’s Funding Network.

Since 2021 she has served women from across the state as a facilitator for the Women’s Policy Institute Leadership training with the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island. Councilor Lima trains women to learn more about policy and advocacy at the statehouse level. In her capacity as a policy and advocacy program director Councilor Lima she has been able to help aide with passing policy and budgetary needs related to voter access with the Let RI Vote Act, reproductive health care initiatives such as the Equality for Abortion Coverage Act, workplace pregnancy protection, and the Fair Pay Act. Councilor Lima has also implemented and coordinated the last gubernatorial public debate and has been asked for multiple events as a public speaker.

Councilor Lima has received awards such as the Leading Women in Distinction Award from the city of Providence and the Girls Scouts of Southern New England, The Change Agent of the year award from the Rhode Island Black Business Association and has received citations from the Governor’s office for her advocacy work.

Councilor Lima lives in Newport, RI and is a mother to her 23-year-old son, Ezra who graduated from magna cum laude with a Bachelors in Economics from Howard University. Ezra currently works outside of Boston for Oracle (a database company)

Confirmed Women of Distinction include:
January 11th: Elizabeth Lynn, Executive Director, van Beuren Charitable Foundation

February 8th: Cristina Offenberg, Esq. Silva, Thomas, Martland & Offenberg, Ltd.

March 7th: Crista Durand, President, Newport Hospital

April 4th: Gail Alofsin, Newport International Boat Show, Author, National Keynote Speaker

May 9th: Britt Riley, Founder, The Haven Collection

June 13th: Kathy Staab, Owner & President, Jane Pickens Theater + Event Center

July 11th: Christine Stenning, Chair of League of Women Voters Newport County 

August 8th: Dana Borelli-Murray, CEO, Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England

September 12th: Dayna Gladstein, President & CEO, Newport Mental Health

October 10th: Katie Potter, Founder, Newport Chowder Co.

November 14th: Angela Lima, Women's Fund RI

December 12th: Brenda Brock, Founder, Farmaesthetics