The Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) is proud to announce that Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos will receive the 2026 Phil Carroll Advancement of Management Award for Management Excellence during the SAM International Business Conference.
Lieutenant Governor Matos will also serve as the keynote speaker for the conference’s Awards Banquet, which will take place on Saturday evening, March 21, 2026, at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, Rhode Island.
The Phil Carroll Advancement of Management Award for Management Excellence recognizes leaders whose work demonstrates a lasting commitment to advancing management practice through innovation, leadership, and impact. Lieutenant Governor Matos’ career reflects the kind of public leadership that bridges economic development, community engagement, and organizational progress.
Matos has served as Rhode Island’s Lieutenant Governor since April 2021. In this role, she has focused on expanding economic opportunity across the state, addressing Rhode Island’s housing shortage, improving access to fresh and affordable food in underserved communities, and supporting entrepreneurs as they launch new ventures or transition businesses to employee ownership models.
Her leadership also represents an important milestone in public service. Matos is the second woman and the first woman of color to serve as Rhode Island’s Lieutenant Governor, and the first Dominican American to hold statewide office anywhere in the United States.
Before assuming statewide office, Matos spent more than a decade serving on the Providence City Council, including a term as Council President. Her professional career has included leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, public policy, and economic development initiatives. This diverse experience has allowed her to work at the intersection of government, business, and community development while championing opportunities for individuals and organizations to thrive.
Her journey from immigrant student to statewide elected leader offers powerful insights into resilience, civic engagement, and the ways leadership can shape opportunity within communities. For the many faculty members, professionals, and students attending the SAM International Business Conference, her story reflects how entrepreneurship, public leadership, and management excellence are often deeply interconnected.
The SAM Awards Banquet will serve as the culminating celebration of the conference, recognizing the achievements of SAM members, chapters, and partners from around the world. The evening will begin with a networking reception from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, followed by the awards dinner and keynote address.
Hosted this year by the New England Institute of Technology, the 2026 SAM International Business Conference brings together educators, practitioners, and students to explore new ideas, share research, and celebrate the ongoing advancement of management as a discipline and profession.
Lieutenant Governor Matos’ keynote address and award recognition promise to be one of the highlights of the conference, offering attendees a meaningful perspective on leadership, economic opportunity, and the role management plays in building stronger communities.
For more information about the conference or to register, visit
www.samnational.org/conference.