Dr. Ivelisse Sabater, M.Ed., Th.D. — PBN 2025 Education Industry Leader Award

At SabaterLAB, we celebrate trailblazers who embody vision, resilience, and service. Few leaders represent this more fully than Dr. Ivelisse Sabater, M.Ed., Th.D., recently recognized as a Providence Business News (PBN) Education Industry Leader. Her recognition is more than a personal achievement—it is a triumph for the communities she serves and a reflection of her unwavering commitment to transforming education and mental health across Rhode Island and beyond.

A Legacy of Teaching and Leadership

With nearly two decades as an educator in Providence Public Schools, Dr. Ivelisse has shaped generations of students through her deep commitment to equity and culturally responsive teaching. Her work extends beyond the classroom—she is an educator, preacher, prophet, and visionary co-founder of the SabaterLAB Foundation. In every role, she has woven together faith, scholarship, and advocacy to uplift historically marginalized voices.

Dr. Ivelisse’s teaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and empowerment. She reminds her students that their stories, cultures, and identities are not obstacles but strengths that power their learning and growth. This same philosophy guides her leadership at SabaterLAB, where she co-directs programs that build uniquely diverse workforce pipelines in mental health, education, and community service.

Building Equitable Pathways

Through the SabaterLAB Foundation and the SabaterLAB Clinical Training and Service Internship Program, Dr. Ivelisse has pioneered bilingual, accessible, and trauma-informed initiatives. These programs not only prepare the next generation of mental health professionals but also create opportunities for young people—especially BIPOC youth—to thrive in higher education, workforce development, and community service.

Her leadership embodies the Foundation’s mission: Serving to empower uniquely diverse communities by building partnerships, securing funding, running programs, offering integrative services, and providing resources.

A Visionary Woman of Faith and Purpose

Dr. Ivelisse’s journey is fueled by both scholarship and spiritual grounding. She has served as a preacher and prophet, providing faith-driven guidance that complements her clinical and educational expertise. Her life’s work reflects a rare integration of academic excellence, community service, and faith-based leadership, inspiring countless individuals to pursue purpose-driven lives.

A Lasting Impact

Being named a PBN Education Industry Leader is not only a recognition of Dr. Ivelisse’s accomplishments but also a call to action. It affirms her place as a leading voice for equity in education and mental health and highlights the profound impact of her vision on Rhode Island’s future.

At SabaterLAB, we are proud to celebrate Dr. Ivelisse Sabater—not only for her well-deserved recognition, but for her ongoing legacy of love, resilience, and service. She reminds us that true leadership is not measured by titles, but by the lives transformed along the way.

✨ Congratulations, Dr. Ivelisse Sabater, on this extraordinary achievement. Your leadership continues to inspire us all.