Dr. Marcia Coné is the founding Executive Director of Women’s Fund of Rhode Island – an organization that invests in women and girls through research, advocacy and grant making designed to eliminate gender inequity through systemic change. During her 10 years of service, Women’s Fund has invested over a million and a half dollars to individuals and organizations across the state. The impact of the Fund’s work under Dr. Coné’s leadership continues to make a profound difference.
As an expert in gender equality, representation of women, grassroots policy advocacy, women's philanthropy, women's leadership and social transformation, and graduate of the Rhode Island Foundation Fellows program, Dr. Coné traveled, in 2011, to Scandinavia and experienced countries where gender equality is far more advanced than it is in the United States. A well-regarded speaker and writer, she shares much of her expertise through articles and blog posts published by MARC: Men Advocating Real Change, RightHer: Women’s Fund blog, and SheCause.
Dr. Coné is a recipient of a “Women of Achievement” award (YWCA Northern Rhode Island, 2011) and a “Woman of Excellence” award (Women’s Center of Rhode Island, 2012). She received her Ph.D. from Boston College’s Graduate School of Social Work where she also obtained her Master of Social Work degree. She has served as full time faculty of St. Ambrose University Graduate School of Social Work, as adjunct faculty at Rhode Island College School of Social work for ten years, and as adjunct faculty at American University School of Public Affairs and currently serves as adjunct faculty for Boston College Graduate School of Social Work.