June Member Spotlight

Meet Roshell R. Rinkins
Vice President/ Grants Administration and Chief DEI Officer
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Foundation 

Roshell R. Rinkins, a Fort Lauderdale native, has built mastery in strategic sourcing, procurement, and supply-chain management honed at some of the nation’s top companies, including Apple, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Microsoft, and Goldman Sachs.

 

Roshell currently serves as Vice President of Grants Administration and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation headquartered in Miami, Florida. In this role, she develops and executes systems, policies, and management tools that advance grantmaking at the foundation. In her DEI capacity, Roshell is responsible for driving the foundation’s core belief to integrate DEI into every aspect of Knight’s work.

 

Roshell was recently awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award bestowed by Florida A&M University’s National Alumni Association (NAA), which recognizes alumni who have made notable and documentable contributions to the University and their professions.



What is your involvement with Florida Philanthropic Network? What influenced you to join?

"I am currently a trustee on FPN’s board. After gaining exposure to the organization as a volunteer on the FPN Summit Committee, I explored other ways to help drive the overall mission of strengthening philanthropy in the Sunshine State."


Name one thing you find special about the Florida philanthropic community. 

"The members – Diverse, passionate, intellectually curious, outcomes driven, and fun : )"


What do you enjoy most about working for the Knight Foundation? Anything you want to highlight?

"Being part of a team working toward a more effective democracy by informing and engaging communities. One of the highlights of my career has been serving as the relationship manager on a $1.53M grant to FAMU, the nation’s #1 public HBCU, to add multimedia functionality to the university’s new amphitheater. This new public space, which includes the amphitheater, is called the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Plaza. That investment builds on a 51-year relationship between Knight and the university and ensures that there is a safe and vibrant gathering place for future generations of FAMU students/alumni, Tallahassee residents and visitors."


One thing you hope to accomplish over the next year?

"The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) serves as a growth engine for certified minority businesses and creates opportunities to connect Minority Business Enterprises to economic opportunities. Within the next year, in partnership with NMSDC, I want to establish the first Foundation Advisory Committee at NMSDC. This will give private and public foundations the support to supplier diversity initiatives by providing expertise and advice on foundation procurement opportunities, engagement, and initiatives impacting minority business development and the practice of supplier diversity overall."


What's the biggest challenge you've faced with your philanthropic efforts? How have you overcome them?

"Transitioning from corporate America to the world of philanthropy was one of the biggest professional challenges I’ve faced to date. After a 15-year plus career in strategic sourcing, supply chain, and operations, there was a steep learning curve not only in entering the philanthropic sector but also in growing my competency in grants management.

My colleagues at Knight were very instrumental in helping me learn the ropes and accelerating my on-boarding to the sector.

One year into my role at Knight, everything shut down as the global pandemic took the world by storm. It was organizations like FPN, Peak, and the Director’s Circle that provided an outlet to plug into community during a time where most of us felt isolated."


What fuels your cup- in life and at work?

"Building and creating solutions that make a difference in community. I strive to leave any space that I occupy, whether personally or professionally, better than I found it."


Can you share one piece of advice you would give to someone considering a career in philanthropy?

"If you thrive in fast paced, innovative, and social impact-based work environments seeking to drive sustainable outcomes, then consider a career in philanthropy. I did and it was one of the best career decisions I’ve made to date."

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