Kaleena Harrington serves as the Senior Grants Administrator. She works closely with the administration to enhance and maintain pre- & post-award activities for all grant programs in addition to evaluating & submitting for new grant opportunities. Kaleena also works to leverage assets and partnerships with Rhode Island’s research institutions and the research and development endeavors happening throughout the state. She aids in the general management and oversight of the Science & Technology Advisory Council (STAC) and the Innovate RI Small Business Fund’s SBIR/STTR matching grant program.
Professional Background
Prior to joining the corporation, Kaleena has worked in Community & Economic Development for the city of Worcester, Massachusetts and the city of Bangor, Maine. During those years she worked in CDBG, American Reinvestment & Recovery Act of 2009, Lead Hazard Control & Reduction, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance and HUD Housing Rehabilitation grant funding. Kaleena also has worked for non-profits and charter schools ensuring that state and federal compliance for grant funding and consistently applying for new funding opportunities. Kaleena has 15 years’ experience in grant management, grant writing, regulatory efforts & has experienced two economic downturns where she has had to lead efforts in administering federal response funding packages and the subsequent programmatic audits that followed.
Education
Kaleena graduated with her Master’s in Business from Husson University in Bangor, ME. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She grew up in Warwick and now resides there with her husband, son, and pup Marty.