Board Of Directors

Steve is a senior management executive with an extensive background in the food industry and has been the President & CEO of the Rhode Island Food Dealers Association for the past thirteen years. In his role Steve leads a recognized association with over a 100-year history of serving its membership in the food industry of RI. Steve brings extensive knowledge and experience in the retail, wholesale, marketing, and manufacturing aspects of the food industry.

His primary responsibilities include representing Rhode Island’s Food Industry in all aspects of state government as well as building on the identity of RI’s food industry throughout the state and the Northeast. Mr. Arthurs is also very active in representing the RI food industry within several state organizations and national food associations.

Previously, Steve served as President and CEO for eight years at World Harbors Inc, and Angostura International. World Harbors is a Maine based food manufacturer, marketer, and importer/exporter of Specialty food products.

Prior to joining World Harbors, Mr. Arthurs was Sr. Vice President of Purchasing, Merchandising and Marketing, at Millbrook Distribution Services for nine years. Previous to that, Steve served as Sr. Vice President of Non-Perishable Sales, Merchandising, and Procurement for Almacs Supermarkets, a regional grocery chain with store locations in RI and SE MA.

In total, Steve’s career reflects over 40 years of experience in all aspects of the Food industry including the wholesale, retail, distribution, manufacturing, marketing and government affairs segments. His graduate and undergraduate studies focused on finance and economics. Mr. Arthurs resides in Coventry RI with his wife Darlene. He has two adult children that also reside in RI with their families.

Courtney is a consultant to foundations and social sector organizations with a focus on the design and facilitation of complex strategic initiatives and the development of new grant making programs. She brings to her consulting practice over twenty years of experience as a facilitative leader, strategic planning expert and organizational and leadership development consultant. She has worked in a range of roles with philanthropic organizations, nonprofits and social change initiatives that bring together multiple stakeholders and require cross-sector partnerships. Before launching her consulting practice, she was Senior Program Officer at the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, where she helped to create a new grant making program focused on food systems transformation in New England. Previous positions include Vice President of Programs at Grant makers for Effective Organizations, Director of Organizational Development at Conservation International, and Senior Associate at the Interaction Institute for Social Change. Courtney has an undergraduate degree from Brown University and a Masters degree from Union Theological Seminary. She was a member of the Leadership RI class of 2017.

Diane currently serves as President of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, a statewide network organization working to increase the environmental sustainability, capacity and resiliency of the state’s food system, and to ensure access to healthy food for all Rhode Islanders. On the Council, she is the lead on a number of projects, including a long-running project to increase seafood wastewater processing in the state, and a USDA-funded project to increase the amount of emergency food provided by local producers. She is an active member of Rhode Island’s social enterprise and food start-up communities, helping the Social Enterprise Greenhouse in growing its technical assistance and service platform for social entrepreneurs, and assisting Amos House in growing its portfolio of food service businesses. Diane holds an MBA with a concentration in operations and logistics from Boston University. She began her career in the food sector working for food processors, distributors and retailers as a consultant for Booz Allen & Hamilton. She and her family moved to Rhode Island in 2007 and now grow hay and support local pasture-raised meat farmers on their farm in South County. Diane also supports Rhode Island’s agricultural community by serving as a Commissioner on Rhode Island’s Agricultural Land Preservation Commission.

Amber is a South Side Chicago native, and the owner of The Black Leaf Tea & Culture Shop. This is an online loose leaf tea and herbal blend company. She also uses her platform to engage the community and celebrate Black culture. Amber attended Middle Tennessee State University for undergrad where she studied Nutrition & Food Science, and Alabama A&M University for graduate school where she studied Food Science with a concentration in Product Development.

Thea moved to Providence in 2004 to attend Johnson & Wales University, where she earned a degree in Food Service Entrepreneurship. She has spent the past 15 years working as a chef, farmers market vendor, and farm hand, always mindful of linking her work to the larger local food system. She firmly believes that the decisions we make about what we eat and where it comes from can have great impacts on the health and welfare of our local community. She directs programs and operations at Farm Fresh Rhode Island.