by 
President and CEO | Rhode Island Foundation
Welcome Remarks Day One
David N. Cicilline is the President and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, the state’s only community foundation and one of the oldest, and largest community foundations in the country.
Mr. Cicilline represented Rhode Island’s first congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years, beginning in 2011. Prior to being elected to Congress he was mayor of Providence for two terms from 2003 to 2011- the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital city – and earlier served in the Rhode Island General Assembly for four terms from 1995 to 2002.
During his time in Congress Mr. Cicilline was a leader on issues that align squarely with the Rhode Island Foundation’s values and strategic priorities—including ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity; access to quality, affordable healthcare and the means to live a healthy life; and supporting educators and students as they strive for success in school and beyond.
Mr. Cicilline was a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on the Judiciary. He’s worked with his colleagues in the Rhode Island congressional delegation to secure federal funding for Rhode Island to support infrastructure improvements, neighborhood centers, public safety, and local programs and services.
In addition, Mr. Cicilline was a co-chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and has led efforts to promote equality for all Americans. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, he’s also worked to promote human rights around the world.
He is a graduate of Brown University and the Georgetown University Law Center and resides today in Providence.
