Lisa Guillette Named USA Today’s 2025 Woman of the Year for Rhode Island

We are thrilled to share that Lisa Guillette, Executive Director of Foster Forward, has been named USA Today’s Woman of the Year for Rhode Island! This prestigious recognition honors women making a lasting impact in their communities, and Lisa’s leadership has transformed opportunities for youth aging out of foster care in Rhode Island.

For more than 20 years, Lisa has worked to improve outcomes for young adults who have experienced foster care—championing innovative solutions to housing instability, launching life-changing programs, and fostering partnerships that create lasting change.

One of Lisa’s most ambitious efforts has been expanding Foster Forward’s role in addressing the housing crisis. Recognizing that young people leaving foster care face higher risks of homelessness, she led efforts to purchase housing stock and partner with developers to create stable, affordable apartments for youth in need. Today, Foster Forward is directly involved in multiple housing projects across Rhode Island, helping young people build stability and independence.

Lisa’s leadership is shaped by deep personal values. She credits her late father, Robert Guillette, a dedicated education leader and Navy commander, for instilling in her the belief that true leadership means going the extra mile. His advice—"There’s never a traffic jam on the extra mile"—guides her commitment to always push forward in pursuit of solutions.

This honor is a testament to Lisa’s vision, resilience, and passion—and to the collective efforts of the Foster Forward team, partners, and supporters like you who make this work possible.