Kadeem Leslie
Kadeem currently serves as the Deputy Director of Economic Opportunity. He is primarily charged with leading youth employment efforts within the City of Providence. Kadeem has worked to help create a multitude of jobs, internships and work readiness programs for underserved youth ages 14-24 within the City through both internal and grant awarded funding sources. Kadeem earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies, from the University of Rhode Island.

Victor Regino
Victor Regino prides himself on being a Small Business Advocate helping grow startups in the City of Providence, and assisting established businesses thrive in our bountiful City. Born in Providence to Dominican and Puerto Rican immigrants, Victor understands the importance of equity, and access to our community. As a bilingual professional, Victor is able to fully serve this diverse community without leaving any stone unturned. His expertise and knowledge come from successfully building a liquor brand, and owning and managing two real estate companies. Victor believes that Small Business is the backbone of our economy because, when you buy local, the money STAYS local. Some of Victor’s contributions have been through his work on local Boards, and community focused events helping people choose Rhode Island as their home. Victor Regino loves what he does and is always seeking new ways to advance the Small Business community. However, when he's not working, you can often find him offering business advice helping others achieve their career objectives and spending time with his family.

Keith Stokes
Keith Stokes is responsible for leading the City’s comprehensive business support and development programs and work with departments that contribute to the City’s business growth and retention efforts, such as the City’s Minority and Women-Owned Business (M/WBE) efforts and Office of Economic Opportunity. The position has an emphasis on coordinating consensus among business, government and community stakeholders to identify specific and actionable business development and COVID-19 recovery priorities, including recovery issues, programs, services, and plans.

Stokes is a graduate of Cornell University with a BS in Public Policy and an MA in Policy from the University of Chicago. He most recently served for nine years as an Economic Planning and Planning Consultant with Mayforth Group where he led and managed a dynamic business function that served institutions with strategic economic planning, government relations, development, grant writing, and implementation services.

Previously, he was appointed Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Center and has served as the Executive Director of the Newport Chamber of Commerce. Stokes is a leading voice in Black heritage where he has received many local, state and national awards of recognition and is a frequent public lecturer on the topic.