Katharine B. Cushing

Founder & President, Newport Global Summit, Inc.

Katharine “Kitty” B. Cushing is the visionary founder and president of Newport Global Summit, Inc., a Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering global prosperity through education and dialogue. Since its inception in 2009, the Summit has convened entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and cultural influencers from around the world to explore new possibilities for collaboration and impact.

Before transitioning the Summit into a nonprofit, Kitty led 7 Sisters, LLC, a consulting and events firm that helped U.S. companies expand international business relationships. Her career spans decades in the investment business, including senior roles at Neuberger Berman and H.C. Wainwright & Co., where she was a fourth-generation member of the Clark family, whose leadership shaped the firm for over a century.

Inspired by her family’s legacy—including ties to the original Seven Sisters of the oil industry—Kitty believes that enduring partnerships begin with personal relationships. She organized forums and retreats and served on numerous boards supporting education, cultural diplomacy, and global engagement.

She has served on numerous boards, including ABANA, AMIDEAST, EFE, the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, the George Washington Institute for Religious Freedom, and the Anthony Quinn Foundation, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Providence Facilities Management. Her work reflects a lifelong dedication to bridging cultures, generations, and sectors through shared purpose and dialogue.