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Meet our Board

Headshot of Jacob, smiling. Jacob has short brown hair and brown facial hair. They're wearing a tan jacket.

Jacob deBlecourt, Chair

Jacob deBlecourt is the Board Chair of RAMP. Currently serving as the Deputy Director of Policy and Communications for Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Jacob brings over 5 years of experience in legislative affairs and over a decade of political campaign experience. Jacob’s driving belief is that nothing about us without us is for us and that the people closest to the pain should be closest to the power.

 

Outside of work, Jacob can be found at home baking, at the local thrift store hunting for treasure, or out looking for the next best coffee spot. They are an alum of the New Leadership Council of Boston and a graduate of the University of Massachusetts–Boston where they graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science.

Headshot of Connie smiling. She has short brown hair and is wearing a blue and white striped shirt.

Connie Gilbert-Rust, Vice Chair

Connie brings cross-sector disability experience spanning non-profit, education, employment, clinical social work, healthcare, government, and tech/startup environments. Her breadth of practice has equipped her with a nuanced understanding of the systems shaping the lives of disabled folks and families.

 

Rooted in personal and lived connections to disability, neurodivergence, and chronic illness, she brings both professional expertise and authentic perspective, grounding progress in the real, everyday realities of the community she serves as a sibling, spouse, advocate, and person with lived experience.

 

Connie joins RAMP's Board of Directors committed to scaling impact and advancing sustainable structural, programmatic, and policy change across Rhode Island.

Headshot of Christine Gadbois smiling. She has long brown hair and is wearing a green turtleneck.

Christine Gadbois, Secretary

Dr. Chris Gadbois is an Advance-Practice Public Health Nurse who has worked extensively to expand access to care for vulnerable populations. She is active with state and national advocacy and professional organizations.

Headshot of Jeanine smiling. She is wearing a blue top and has short, gray hair.

Jeanine Calkin, Chair of Legislative Committee

Jeanine Calkin is the Vice Chair for RAMP.  Jeanine’s focus is on policy and legislation that helps promote the causes which RAMP strives for.  As a former two term State Senator, she is familiar with the legislative process and frequently testifies on bills before the General Assembly. 

 

In 2021, Jeanine suffered a medical issue that led to the loss of her right leg.  As an amputee, she strives to make the world a more inclusive place for those with mobility challenges, and other disabilities.

 

In addition to her role with RAMP, Jeanine works for a local non-profit that helps victims of domestic violence escape from dangerous situations. She is also an avid board game lover, and she and her husband have created three card games.  She also enjoys music and has a large record collection.

 

​Jeanine earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Science and has a Master of Science in Information Systems. She worked for many years in the Information Technology field as a project manager and managed financial systems for a large semiconductor company.

Headshot of Ralph smiling. Ralph has glasses and a mustache.

Ralph Tavares, Jr., At-Large Director

Ralph Tavares Jr. is a visionary problem solver whose purpose is anchored by his identity as a husband, father, and first-generation Cape Verdean American. As Senior Vice President of People and Culture at DSG Global, he designs strategies and training that empower leaders across diverse industries to achieve meaningful equity and inclusion goals.

 

Building on two decades of experience expanding higher education access, Ralph is deeply committed to disability justice and creating environments where accessibility is treated as a fundamental right. A 2025 Black Leadership Institute Fellow and PBN Diversity Champion, his leadership is informed by his time with the RI Foundation’s Equity Leadership Initiative and Leadership Rhode Island. Ralph holds a BA from Providence College and an MBA in Strategic Management and Innovation from Salve Regina University.

Headshot of Scott smiling. Scott has short, dark gray hair and light gray facial hair. He is wearing a suit and tie.

Scott Travers, At-Large Director

Scott Travers is a graduate of The Massachusetts Maritime Academy (BS), and Salve Regina University (BA, MA).  Scott retired from the Portsmouth Police Department where he worked in the patrol and detective divisions and was the Harbormaster for the Town of Portsmouth for 12 years.  Scott also worked for the RI Department of Environmental Management, Division of Fish and Wildlife as a Technical Assistant to the Aquatic Resource Education Coordinator and Hunter Education Coordinator for several years before becoming the Hunter Education Coordinator for the State of RI.  Scott is currently the Executive Director of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association.

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