Ann-Marie Harrington
Ann-Marie Harrington is an executive with extensive industry experience in technology and emerging digital strategies. Ann-Marie’s expertise has its roots in her work as the founder and CEO of a digital firm, as an architect of many large technology and software solutions, and as an advisor and partner in early-stage technology companies including an independent music artist tech company and a cybersecurity SaaS firm. She has deep experience with custom mobile and web application development using agile methods as well as experience with cybersecurity software development, protocols, trends, and strategies. Notably, she is at the forefront in developing digital solutions to engage employees and stakeholders in corporate ESG priorities as the co-founder of Employee Vitals (acquired by Selfless.ly in 2021). She has pioneered this work through messaging and digital tools to overcome the institutional barriers that typically prevent the successful activation of most ESG strategies among employees outside the executive suite. Ann-Marie was recognized by President Barack Obama for her leadership in fostering flexible and remote work programs and creating effective human resources policies that empower today’s workforce. She managed three mergers and acquisitions over a five-year period, building on her strong connections in private equity and venture capital circles on the East Coast, Midwest, and Silicon Prairie.
Ann-Marie founded and served as CEO of Embolden, a multi-million dollar, award-winning digital marketing and technology firm. She grew the company profitably for 16 years until its acquisition in 2014 by Crown Philanthropic Solutions, a private equity-owned SaaS company. Embolden and its 26 full-time employees implemented large-scale custom web applications and technology solutions for 400 clients nationwide, including Fortune 500 companies, highly regulated nonprofits, and professional services firms in the healthcare and finance sectors. Ann-Marie experience is currently a board member, investor, and advisor with technology companies including Artist Republik (an innovative, decentralized, music business networking allowing independent music artists take control of their careers through networking, centralized resources, and AI-based management tools), Scribo (military-grade cybersecurity SaaS solution) and One Celebrations (ESG and CSR consulting firm and developer of Employee Vitals, an online social impact culture tool to engage Millennials and Gen Z).
In recognition of its progressive work culture, Embolden was a three-time winner of the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. This distinction ranked Embolden in the top 20% of employers nationally in terms of flexible work programs, policies, and culture. In 2008, YWCA Northern Rhode Island honored Ann-Marie with a Women of Achievement Award, given to business leaders and advocates who work for the economic empowerment of women. That same year, Embolden received the State of Rhode Island Minority Business Enterprise of the Year Award. The Providence Business News named Ann-Marie a Woman to Watch in the technical services industry in 2010. In 2011, it named Embolden one of the state’s best places to work. Forty companies were judged based on confidential surveys of employees and management reports compiled by Best Companies Group. In addition, Embolden twice won the Council on Foundations’ Wilmer Shields Rich Awards Program, which recognizes and encourages excellence in communications by foundations and corporate giving programs.
Ann-Marie enjoys her work as a national speaker and presenter on technology trends and social impact culture. Her civic leadership has included serving as a director of the Rhode Island Foundation, a $1 billion foundation for which Ann-Marie chairs the Impact Investing Committee and serves as a member of the Finance and Governance & Nomination Committees and as a Board Trustee at Bryant University. Additional board service includes the Crown Philanthropic Services, Meeting Street, The Commodores, and The Pawtucket Foundation. Ann-Marie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant University, a Master of Social Work from Rhode Island College, and an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Commercial Science) from Rhode Island College. Ann-Marie has won a host of awards in her career including recognition as the 2009 Small Businessperson of the Year for Rhode Island via the U.S. Small Business Administration. Her recreational pursuits include boating on Narragansett Bay, animal rescue, and athletics--particularly triathlons. Ann-Marie especially enjoyed competing in a Half-Ironman.
