About Us

The Rhode Island CEO Council

An Exclusive Consortium of CEOs Building a Stronger Rhode Island


The Rhode Island CEO Council is where Rhode Island CEOs build high-value relationships, safely engage in candid off-the-record conversations with top decision makers, gain new leadership ideas directly from renowned experts, receive unbiased decision support from their peer CEOs, hone critically important leadership skills and have ongoing opportunities to impact the future of Rhode Island.

Members       |       Team       |       History       |       News

Our Members are the Chief Executives of Rhode Island Employers

 
— Membership is by Invitation Only —

Qualified Chief Executives Only

 • Our members are the top executive in their organization: President, CEO, Executive Director, Managing Director, Managing Partner, or the General Manager leading a sizable Rhode Island workforce for an out-of-state company    .

 • Members primarily meet and interact with their equals — true peers — chief executives who lead similar-sized, non-competing organizations — CEOs who can best relate to each other's leadership challenges.

 • Our members believe in ethically achieving results that positively impact all stake holders including employees, customers, Rhode Island communities, our nation, and the global environment.

 • Membership is limited to top decision makers because the strategic buck-stops-here leadership challenges and potential solutions discussed in our meetings are unique to those at the top of their organization and responsible for a Rhode Island workforce.

 • Member organizations may be public, private, family-owned, non-profit, or government entities.

 • Member organizations may have a workforce of thousands of employees to a minimum of ten full-time Rhode Island employees.

 • Our members value learning and honing their leadership skills and are willing to help their peers do the same.


Our Leadership Team



Robert Fiske

Founder &
Chief Executive Officer

Brief Bio

Robert Fiske is the Founder & CEO of the Rhode Island CEO Council.

Since 1994, Robert's professional passion has been bringing chief executives together for substantive, strategic, off-the-record conversations that expand leadership thinking and build supportive connections which result in increased leadership performance, engaged workforces, thriving businesses, healthy communities and strong local economies.

Robert's professional experience includes serving as a CEO, president, managing partner, Fortune 500 executive, certified executive coach, and confidant to CEOs.

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Cheryl Haynes

CEO Peer Board
Director & Facilitator

Brief Bio

Cheryl Haynes has over 25 years of HR leadership with a focus on talent development, strategic alignment, and cultural initiatives.

She has served as Sr. VP of HR at Blue Hills Bank, VP, Head of HR at RBS Citizens' Business Services Operations America, and held HR leadership positions at Metropolitan Life, CVS/Caremark, and State Street Bank.

Cheryl earned an MS at Northeastern, BS at Bryant, SPHR & SHRM-SCP certification at HRCI, and Executive Coaching certification at the Center for Executive Coaching.

She currently serves as an executive coach, HR consultant, and trusted advisor to emerging and high-impact leadership talent.

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Tony Martignetti

CEO Peer Board
Director & Facilitator

Brief Bio

Tony Martignetti has over 25 years of business and leadership experience in multiple industries.

He has served as a finance and strategy executive in life sciences companies, led a financial consulting firm, and managed small businesses.

Tony earned an MBA in International Business and a BS in Technology from Northeastern University; he also earned certification as a Professional Certified Coach from ICF.

Tony is the founder & CEO of Inspired Purpose Coaching, he hosts The Virtual Campfire podcast, and is the author of “Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to an Inspired Life” and co-author of “Secrets of Next Level Entrepreneurs.”

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Ellen Schulte

Administrative
Manager

Brief Bio

Ellen Schulte has over 19 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, event management, and administrative services.

She previously served as the Manager of Communications & Engagement at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and as a Public Relations Officer at the Community College of Rhode Island.

Ellen earned her Bachelor of Arts focused in Communication and Media Studies from University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts .

She is currently a key member of the Rhode Island CEO Council operations & leadership team.

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Mark Strozik

CEO Peer Board
Director & Facilitator

Brief Bio

Mark Strozik has over 20 years of executive leadership experience in the C-suite & board rooms of public and private businesses in multiple industries.

He has served as Senior VP at Summer Infant, Head of Global HR at The Rockport Shoe Company, and in HR leadership roles at The First Years, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Health New England, and the Springfield Institution for Savings.

Mark earned a BS in Business & Psychology from Clarkson and earned his Coaching Certification at IPEC.

Mark currently serves as an executive coach and is on the Board of Directors at Ti-Sales, Inc.

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Heather Wilkerson

CEO Peer Board
Director & Facilitator

Brief Bio

Heather Wilkerson has over 20 years of experience providing professional development and coaching services to hundreds of clients in different industries.

At Brown University she served as Asst. Director of Alumni Leadership & Career Programs.

Heather earned her MS in Communications from Georgia State, BA from Emory, Coaching Certification from CTI, and a Professional Certified Coach Credential from ICF.

Heather currently serves as an executive coach—helping her clients overcome roadblocks, improve leadership skills, manage change, and achieve their goals.

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Join Our Team



Our History


2006-2012

On August 24, 2006 we were founded as the Chief Executives Club of Rhode Island (CEC-RI).

On September 21, 2006, with the support of Gov. Donald Carcieri and the leadership of several RI Chambers of Commerce, over 75 CEOs of medium and large RI employers participated in our inaugural meeting. Our guest speakers included Gov. Donald Carcieri and Justin Menkes, a renowned leadership expert and author of the book "Executive Intelligence."

2012-2016

In 2012 CEC-RI operations were transferred to Rhode Island College (RIC) and continued to operate successfully under the leadership of RIC's president, Dr. Nancy Carriuolo and her team.

In 2016, after a new president was appointed to lead RIC, a decision was made to no longer operate CEC-RI.

The last CEC-RI meeting hosted by Rhode Island College was held in December 2016.

2020-2021

In challenging times like these, where uncertainty and change abound, Rhode Island's CEOs need better access to their most valuable resource, peer CEOs.

With the support and advice of former Chief Executives Club members, we completely redesigned the organization to deliver the most valued services provided by today's most successful CEO organizations.

And to better represent our new design, focus and the high-value member experience, CEC-RI is now The Rode Island CEO Council.

2022-

The Rhode Island CEO Council officially restarted with our inaugural event, the 2022 CEO Summit.

This and all future events are for Chief Executives Only (with no substitutes or alternates).

See what we offer our members.

Check out our event calendar for dates, topics, and guests.

Please contact us if you would like to receive an invitation to any of our events.


In The News


The Rhode Island CEO Council

Charting the path forward for RI business, RI policy, and the RI Economy

Explore Membership




— Established in 2006 —

(originally founded as the Chief Executives Club of Rhode Island)

— An exclusive and powerful consortium of chief executives who help each other take their business and Rhode Island to the next level —

— Our Sponsors —
Nixon Peabody Deloitte Insperity Envision Newberry PR UBS The Hilton Group 
Brazier Society of WaterFire  All The Answers