Dennise and Alyssa have both served as leaders in the Providence arts and business communities and have experience in marketing, bookkeeping, volunteer and project management.  Their experience both as community leaders and performers, as well as influence from other women's festivals around the US, inspired the creation of ShePVD.

Dennise M. Kowalczyk is a 2nd Act Business Broad who is a business relationship consultant, a content creator, an actor, an aspiring filmmaker, and a world traveler. She supports women business owners with making real connections by first setting up a powerful online presence and then by building out a referral process to connect with more clients. Because by creating a consistent online presence, you connect with clients who are looking for your services and when you create real connections, you are not investing in a transaction, but a relationship that will yield long term opportunities. She is the co-founder of Cocktails & Conversations, a women's networking group. She also co-curates Dames Who Dine RI, an instagram account featuring local eateries. The Dames of Rhode Island is film project featuring the power of adult women friendship. Her mission is to inspire and motivate Second Act women to live a life on purpose. Learn about all of her project at TheAdventureBroad.com and follow her on Instagram at TheAdventureBroad. 

Alyssa Goldstein is a community-driven creative with a passion for empowering young people through engaging experiences in the arts and education. With over 15 years of experience in nonprofits, art organizations, and youth engagement sectors, Alyssa has championed innovative programs that foster creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility. Currently embarking on a master's degree in library studies, Alyssa aspires to continue her youth development work as a school librarian, where she envisions creating a dynamic learning hub that sparks curiosity and nurtures lifelong learners. Alyssa's unwavering belief in the power of community building drives her to adopt a "think global, act local" perspective, weaving her passion for education and the arts into every aspect of her work and life. When she's not inspiring young minds, this mother of two finds joy in performing comedy, taking drum lessons, and creating fiber arts, demonstrating her zest for life and her commitment to personal growth.