As a successful Latina leader in Rhode Island, Nellie is acutely aware of how often she is the only woman of color in the room at many political meetings. She has used her position on the Nominating Committees of nearly every Board she has served on to open doors for women and people of color. Her passion for creating opportunities for underrepresented communities is what sets Nellie apart and makes her a true Game Changer.

Secretary of State – Rhode Island – Open Seat. Nellie will be first Latina candidate on a statewide ballot in Rhode Island.

Though her decade long involvement in the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, including as Treasurer, Chair of the Nominating and Finance Committees, and Chair of the Fund’s Annual Celebration, Nellie has focused on the challenges facing Rhode Island women.

Nellie is the former Executive Director of HousingWorks Rhode Island.

She previously served as Rhode Island’s Deputy Secretary of State from 2002 to 2006. In this role, Nellie worked to improve voting access, increase voter participation, and make government information readily available and useful to everyone, while streamlining government processes for businesses.