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Gina M. Raimondo, the 75th Governor of Rhode Island and its first woman governor, grew up in Smithfield in a tight-knit Italian-American family, the youngest of Joseph and Josephine Raimondo's three children. Gina's family history and her childhood experiences shaped her core beliefs in hard work, opportunity for all, and the importance of financial security.
After arriving from Italy at age 14, her grandfather learned English studying in the Providence Public Library and later lived with Gina's family. Her father was a World War II Navy veteran from a family of butchers and became the first in his family to attend college thanks to the GI Bill. After working for 26 years at Bulova watch factory in Providence, Joseph lost his job along with hundreds of others when the factory moved overseas, and the Raimondo family lost their sense of financial security.
As a teenager, Gina rode a RIPTA bus to LaSalle Academy in Providence, where she was valedictorian of her graduating class. She went on to graduate with honors from Harvard, where she was recognized as the top economics student in her class. She won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University where she earned a doctorate and met her future husband Andy Moffit. She later graduated from Yale Law School. Gina clerked for US District Judge Kimba Wood and served as founding employee and senior vice president at Village Ventures. Missing Rhode Island and wanting to be closer to her family, Gina co-founded Point Judith Capital, an early stage venture capital firm.
In November 2010, Gina was elected to serve as General Treasurer of Rhode Island, receiving the largest number of votes of any statewide candidate. When Gina took office as General Treasurer, she tackled the state's $7 billion unfunded pension liability. She was sworn into office as Governor in January 2015 and won a second term this past November with the largest victory Rhode Island has seen in more than a generation. During her time in office, Governor Raimondo has kick-started the state’s economy and created thousands of jobs. Rhode Island’s unemployment rate—the highest in the country during her first campaign for governor—is now in line with the national average and the lowest it’s been in three decades. Gina’s made record investments in infrastructure and education. Under her leadership, Rhode Island became the fourth state in the country to offer tuition-free community college for every high school graduate.
Gina and Andy live in Providence with their two kids, Ceci and Tommy, and their rescue dog, Sparky.
Recent Honors and Awards
Recognized by Fortune as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders, 2016
Recipient of the Yale Law School Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016
Received the “New Englander of the Year” award from the New England Council for leadership and impact on New England’s quality of life and economy, 2016
Honored with the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Local Ambassador Award for bringing the 2017 National Governors Association Conference to Rhode Island
Recipient of Brown University Alpert Medical School W. W. Keen Award for leadership in developing academic partnerships designed to support academic research and discoveries that can cure disease and improve lives, 2015
Received the Girl Scouts Southeastern New England’s Leading Women Award, 2015
Previously served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Crossroads Rhode Island, playing a key role in launching a new homeless shelter for women.
Former trustee at Women and Infants Hospital and Chair of its Quality Committee, and board member of Family Service of Rhode Island and LaSalle Academy
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