Welcome to The World Affairs Council of Rhode Island

The World Affairs Council of Rhode Island is a non-profit, non-partisan organization constituted for the purpose of carrying on public education in the field of foreign affairs and American foreign policy.
For 83 years, WACRI has brought the world to Rhode Island. Our monthly speaker series and International Visitors Program have offered our members a broad perspective on our world and its people. We foster a community of globally minded people, exchanging ideas in a civil and vibrant way.

We invite you to join WACRI, and become a part of our community of globally oriented citizens.

Thursday, September 17, 2026

6:00PM

At Crowne Plaza Hotel-Airport

801 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, RI 02879

"Re-imagining lasting social impact, community engagement and creative philanthropy in the era of global connection and the dominance of Algorithm"

 Ralph Francois presenting

Biography

I grew up in a disaster-prone area and I have seen real improvements when policies are inclusive, people have a voice, and program leadership is effective. Since then, I was convinced I wanted to campaign on issues of social impact, sustainability, climate change, community engagement, creative philanthropy, innovation, blue economy and social justice. 

I bring 15+ years of experience in the nonprofit industry, achieving over 15M on fundraising campaigns over the past 7 years.  I served in executive #leadership roles, and #program direction positions. 

I excel in helping companies, ranging from #startups, to private, to non-profit, to develop innovative and creative solutions, to advance #policies and #practices that translate social impact into tangible results.

I have a wealth of experience of diversified program and broad management roles in executive leadership, community engagement, program development, inclusive education, international development, fundraising, Non-profit management, disaster risk reduction, social innovation, and strategic partnerships.

My educational background includes Sociology from Université d'Etat d'Haiti, an Integrated Risk Management, Climate and Technology Program Certificate from Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), and a post-Graduate leadership Fellowship from Yale University.

I am a fluent speaker of Haitian Creole, French, and English, and have a limited working proficiency in Spanish. My key skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication, flexibility, goal-oriented, collaboration, adaptability, and the ability to work autonomously and effectively in remote environments.

I am a bridge builder by heart, by choice and by conviction, and I carry strong values of diversity, inclusion, and a sense of effective commitment.

I love to explore new ideas and I get excited about opportunities that leverage creativity, passion, hard work for effective philanthropy approach, sustainability, and Growth. 

Members and Their Guests $50.00 per person

Non-members $57.50 

Cocktails at 6:00 (cash bar)

Dinner served at 6:45

Presentation following.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED by September 11th

REGISTER HERE