OUR TEAM
HENRIETTA WHITE-HOLDER
FOUNDER & CEO
A native-born Liberian, Henrietta “Henrie” Tonia White Holder, is a humanitarian, social entrepreneur, community builder, Breast Cancer and COVID survivor, and an award-winning advocate for disadvantaged and underserved Liberian, West African, and other marginalized populations in Rhode Island. After spending over 18 years in nonprofit management, helping to transition individuals with disabilities from institutionalized settings to community integration, Henrie moved on in 2008 and founded Higher Ground International. Henrie has dedicated her career to furthering the mission of Higher Ground International, which is to restore dignity, empower, and provide life-changing services for immigrants and refugees in Rhode Island. To date, the organization has served over 50,000 individuals. Additionally, Henrie and HGI have worked to improve living conditions in rural Liberia, including bringing clean water and sanitation services to over 10,000 community members in the country. Henrie is a graduate of Rhode Island College and Johnson & Wales University. A lifelong learner, she is also a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island (2011), Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) accelerator program (2011), and the United Way of RI Executive Director Leadership Circle program (2017). Henrie has received numerous awards and has had many local, national, and international articles published about her work. During her downtime, Henrie likes to spend time with her loved ones, read, create and be around art, and be in nature.
Christine McDermott
BOARD CHAIR
Christine McDermott is Director of Sales & Marketing at Tri-Bro Manufacturing, a family-owned jewelry factory in Cranston. She is passionate about keeping Rhode Island’s jewelry-making tradition alive and serves as President of the Providence chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association and Secretary of the Providence Jewelers Club. Prior to joining the family business, Christine was Director of Publications at AAA Northeast for nine years and spent her early career as a reporter for The Patriot Ledger and editor of India New England. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northeastern University and participated in a fellowship on Race and Ethnicity at the Knight School for Specialized Journalism at the University of Maryland. A 2011 graduate of Leadership Rhode Island, Christine believes wholeheartedly in social justice and community service. Most recently, she served four years as President of the Board of Directors for Sojourner House, and she received a YWCA Women of Achievement Award in 2019. Christine lives in Warwick with her husband, Mike, and sons, Logan and Jonah. She enjoys travel, food, music and watching her boys play a variety of sports.
MITCH EDWARDS
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
Mitch Edwards is a partner at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder in Providence. Mitch represents a wide variety of clients in complex business litigation. Mitch also leads the pro bono program at Hinckley Allen. Mitch grew up outside of New York City and later went to college and law school in upstate New York. He later moved to Philadelphia before ultimately finding his home in Rhode Island. Mitch cares deeply about the community and has served on several non-profit boards including Junior Achievement of Rhode Island, Leadership Rhode Island, and Rocky Hill Country Day School. Mitch looks forward to working with Higher Ground International and advancing its important mission in our local and global community.
JULIA NOGUCHI
BOARD SECRETARY
Julia is the Director of Community Engagement and Scholarship at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Her role involves connecting medical students with both clinical and social service opportunities to help them develop their professional identities as competent, caring, and compassionate physicians. She loves volunteering in the community and helping students to channel their energy and enthusiasm to improve the health of under-resourced communities in Rhode Island. Outside of work, Julia is married and has three sons with social schedules that are far more impressive than her own. She loves home remodeling projects, running outdoors, writing, and playing Boggle online with her sister. Julia is with Higher Ground because of their mission to uphold the basic human rights and dignity of all people and to improve the health, welfare, and education of immigrant/refugee women and girls in our community.
Daniel Gilroy
BOARD MEMBER
Dan joined the Board of Directors of Higher Ground International in February 2024. Born and raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, many of Dan’s closest friends are from diverse ethnic backgrounds and marginalized communities. Having been welcomed into the homes and families from a young age, he is looking forward to giving back, helping families from the local community, and continuing to grow HGI’s legacy.
Dan’s is a financial service professional where his focus is on Institutional Sales and Strategic Growth Initiatives. Outside of the office, Dan enjoys travel, live concerts, New England sports teams and most importantly, spending time with his wife and growing family. He is a proud alumnus of Northeastern University and also serves on the Boards of a Breast Cancer Foundation as well as a co-ed Catholic High School, both here in Rhode Island.
FRANCINE CONNOLLY
BOARD MEMBER
Francine Connolly is a retired Social Worker who had a rich and varied career. She has been a community worker and an administer for DHS, the Director of Field Education at Rhode Island College School of Social Work, a Clinical Social Worker in the Providence Schools, and had a private clinical practice. When Francine and her husband retired, they joined the Peace Corps where they were stationed in Botswana for 2 years and 3 months. When they returned from Africa Francine became an America Corps volunteer here in RI, where she worked in the Veterans Treatment Court.
Francine then volunteered at Higher Ground International, where she established the Case Management program with students from RIC School of Social Work. She also filled in for the director of HGI when the director was in treatment for breast cancer, keeping the agency open at that difficult time. She believes strongly in the mission of HGI and the amazing work they do.
DANLETTE NORRIS
BOARD MEMBER
Danlette Norris is a native of Liberia with an MSW degree in Social Work and is an Accredited Representative of the Department of Justice, with an emphasis on Immigration Law. She is very passionate about the welfare of elders which led to the creation of an elderly Health promotion, prevention, and intervention program in the community.
She immigrated to the United States in 1990 as the result of the Civil War in Liberia and actively served LCARI for 12 years, in which she served as president for eight years. Danlette also served other communities and organizations in various capacities from being a member to serving on the board member
Danlette is an advocate, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother of many children. She also describes herself as a lifelong learner and a child of God. She is a friend to many, enemy to none, and would do everything possible to assist anyone in need for which she has the capacity. Her philosophy of life is, “That the Will of God will not take her where the grace of God cannot keep her.
JOANA YEBOAH
BOARD MEMBER
Joana Yeboah is a Ghanaian native, who is Community-centric, passionate, and zealous about Health inequities with a strong background in health promotion. Currently she is a Community Care Coordinator for Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island with eight years of experience in Public Health. Joana is also a Steering Committee member with the Pawtucket/Central Fall Health Equity Zones: Participatory Budgeting Project. After acquiring her MPH from Walden University, she interned with the Rhode Island Department of Health as the Interim Refugee Health Coordinator and assisting with Maternal Health Projects including the Rhode Island Baby Café project, the Parents as Teachers program. Joana has a wealth of experience in Pediatric Asthma Research with the Hasbro Children’s Hospital and working with culturally diverse populations. She has served as a Women’s and Children’s Ministry leader in her home church for over 5 years. Joana is humbled to serve as a Board Member with a phenomenal organization like Higher Ground International. She is a wife and a proud mother of 3 wonderful children. Throughout her life, her faith has kept her grounded, to utilize every opportunity to pay it forward. Joana is an avid reader, loves to travel, eat good food, sing, and dance.
BETTY CLINTON
BOARD MEMBER
As a steward, Betty Clinton believes she is accountable and responsible for the resources entrusted to her, such as her community, her talent, and her time. Originally from Liberia in West Africa, Betty has volunteered and worked for numerous charitable and community organizations both domestically and abroad. Betty is Inspiring Minds’ Director of Finance and Operations. Before migrating to the United States of America, she worked for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and the Lutheran World Relief and World Service in Liberia and the Ivory Coast. In the United States, she worked for Lutheran World Relief as program finance manager for its overseas partners before relocating to Rhode Island. Betty is a 2023 Rhode Island Foundation Equity Leadership Initiative graduate. She is also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church’s board of trustees. Her mother gave her the responsibility of keeping track of her housewives’ income-generating activities as part of her empowerment programs, which marked the beginning of her journey towards human dignity and empowerment at a young age. Ever since, she has found great satisfaction in collaborating with organizations like Higher Ground that support human dignity. Betty enjoys volunteering, cooking, traveling, and learning about different cultures.
FAVOUR OWOYEMI
BOOKKEEPER
Favour is a fashion designer who works for Higher Ground as a Bookkeeper. Her role involves connecting with partners, invoicing, reconciling QuickBooks and banking, and administering grant funding. She also supports the organization’s work by assisting in various capacities as needed.
She believes that all people must be treated with kindness and dignity; and that no contribution is too small to enhance their spiritual, social, or even physical well-being. This is why she is happy to be a part of Higher Ground International because of their burning passion for people as well as their steadfast contributions which help people live better lives.
She enjoys painting, decorating, jewelry making, experimenting with recipes, and a host of other hands-on projects. During the weekends, you will probably find her spending time with friends, exploring local attractions or home with family, and watching baking shows or comedy.
MILOU RODRIGUEZ
BOARD MEMBER
Milou Rodrigues works as Parent/Community Specialist for the Providence School Department. She is there to bridge the gap by connecting the schools within the Providence School System and the families of the students together. Milou enjoys loves helping and giving back to her community and takes great pride in that. She is also instilling those values in her grandchildren by taking them along with her to certain community events to help give back as well.
She is family oriented and is the mother of two adult children and grandmother to three athletic grandsons that she adores and a wonderful husband. I love my siblings, and spending time with family, I usually initiate the gatherings. She enjoys socializing and traveling.
Milou chose to become a board member of Higher Ground because she loves to help and serve her community, giving her time whenever she can. She found that Higher Ground International was the perfect fit and a group of wonderful people to be a part of.
WENDY JOHNSON
BOARD MEMBER
I am a human service professional and a mother to two beautiful daughters. At a young age I was taught to be empathetic and always serve my community. I currently serve my community as Chairwoman of the Ward 11 in Providence and a board member at Roger Williams Daycare, an active PTO member at Times2 Academy, a committed volunteer at the church of Ascension
including the weekly food pantry services, an active member of Providence Promise and an active Black PAC member. It gives me great pleasure to have an opportunity to serve my community in various roles. It also teaches my children empathy and the importance of being proud of the community in which they live.
I’m pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the mission of Higher Ground International by serving as an agent of change.
TOBY RISEBOROUGH
BOARD MEMBER
Toby Riseborough is an Associate at Bank of America, Private Bank. His role at the bank includes supporting client needs, discussions, as well as monitoring client investments and customized wealth structuring. With a background in public service, Toby has a shared commitment in empowering individuals and the Rhode Island community through deep and inclusive relationships. He enjoys volunteering and assisting a variety of organizations reach their goals. Outside of work, Toby lives with his longtime partner, and they enjoy visiting his home on Martha’s Vineyard as well as gardening, tennis, cycling and visiting family abroad. Toby is with Higher Ground because of their mission to educate and empower the workforce through meaningful development, advocacy, and vital job training.
LUANN EDWARDS
SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT
You’ll find Luann Edwards at the intersection of communication, people, and technology. It’s where the most interesting and fascinating opportunities exist: To help organizations amplify their work and engage with those who are most important to them and their mission.
Luann is a strategic marketing communications consultant and the founder of Socially Professional, a social media consultancy based in Providence, Rhode Island. Some of the things that bring her joy: Learning and teaching, new technology, traveling, meeting people, and spending time with family and friends.
Luann is energized by Higher Ground International’s work and how that work centers the cultures and unique individuality of those the organization serves. She is proud to support the HGI team by providing social media support and participating in other volunteer opportunities whenever possible.
ASHLEY WRAY
CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE FOODS AND RESOURCE COORDINATOR
Ashley Wray is the Resource Coordinator at Higher Ground International. Her role involves developing and maintaining culturally appropriate food distribution applications, a list of participants, and database for community members, in addition to connecting with partners and volunteers. Ashley is also responsible to assist with the procurement of food and resources as well as all of the systems of distribution, from the ONE CALL Telephone System, deliveries, on-site pickups, and keeping track of inventories.
When she’s not working, Ashley enjoys spending time with her four children and cake decorating. She loves to listen to music, create various DIY projects, and finds great joy in decorating her home. Collecting candles is a long-time hobby that Ashley has enjoyed for over 10 years. Some of her favorite scents are clean linen, lemon zest, and any cozy & warm fall scents.
Ashley takes great pride in being of service to everyone who is part of the Higher Ground family. Prior to working at Higher Ground, Ashley was a caretaker for one of the elders in the Sweetie Care African Elders Enrichment Program, so she became all too familiar with the other elders and grew a fond love for each one of them. “Everyone deserves to be loved and cared for.” This is something that Ashley is a firm believer in and has no problem going the extra mile to ensure that the people in the community feel loved and cared for.
BEATRICE RICHARDSON-WHITE
BOARD MEMBER
I am a Registered Nurse and currently work with the Rhode Island Department of Health as a Senior Nursing Care Evaluator. My role involves conducting federal and state surveys at various healthcare facilities in the state to ensure that facilities are in compliance with state and federal regulations. Prior to my current employment, I worked for over 10 years with a non-profit Long-term Care facility providing services to the elderly population. Helping one of the most vulnerable populations is one of my passions that I truly find very fulfilling. I love giving back to my community and humanity as best as I can and is a part of several humanitarian community-based organizations, including my church. I am married and have two daughters, ages 16 and 11. As an immigrant myself, I feel obligated to be of service to my community in any way possible and sees this as a privilege and honor to serve. I am also deeply honored to serve with Higher Ground, especially because of their mission and their service to our community. I believe we are truly a community when we treat and view others as we treat and view ourselves.
MICHELLE TOGBA-DAVIS
BOARD MEMBER
Michelle Togba-Davis is a Native of Liberia, a proud mother of four loving children, and very passionate about the health and wellbeing of people. She holds a bachelor’s degree in medical Lab Science (Biotechnology Manufacturing) from the University of Rhode Island. Presently, Michelle works with Dialysis patients at Fresenius Medical Care. Her role as a Post Market Surveillance Specialist involves investigating routine complaints, evaluating event to determine if it qualifies as a complaint, interfacing with customer, clinics, and hospitals to gather additional information required for complaint investigation while managing customer relationship and expectations during course of complaint investigation and resolution process, and evaluating complaints for Medical Device Reporting (MDR) etc.
Michelle is an entrepreneur at heart. She is the owner of Mikato Stitch Ink (embroidery and Sublimation company) and Co-owner of A.D.D Ankara (African clothing Brand).
When she is not working with patients or running her Business, Michelle enjoys spending quality time with her children and family, sewing, creating unique embroidery design, crafting, and travelling.
Higher Ground International mission to advocate, empower and provide life-changing service aligns with Michelle’s Christian believes and values. As such, Michelle is honor to be a board member supporting the mission of this GREAT organization.
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ABOUT US
Higher Ground International is a forward-thinking and culturally grounded social impact nonprofit organization. We are dedicated to advocating for, empowering, and providing life-changing services to Liberians and West African immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities. We seek to restore dignity, empower lives, and keep peace through work that centers and celebrates the cultural heritage and unique individuality of those we serve.
OUR HISTORY
Higher Ground International was founded in 2008 by Henrietta White-Holder, a native of Liberia, to help support the vast needs of refugee arrivals who had experienced the traumas of civil war. Click Here to learn more about our History.
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