Families Association
However you define your family, the RISD Families Association welcomes all individuals who nurture and support RISD students, whether they are recently admitted, current students or graduates.
Families Association Chair
Missy Waytena P 26
Missy Waytena P 26 is an environmental activist, film producer, and public interest lawyer based in the San Francisco Bay area. Her legal work focuses on the newly emerging field of Rights of Nature. A polymath with master’s degrees in integral education as well as philosophy, cosmology and consciousness and a Ph.D. in philosophy and religion, Waytena’s research integrates ecological consciousness with learning, aiming to equip students with the tools to become effective change agents in a rapidly evolving world. Her advocacy work includes writing and producing the film the Future of Energy and producing the film Last Stand: Saving the Elwha River’s Legacy Forests, which was a key part of the successful campaign to halt logging along Washington’s Elwha River.
Waytena is a dynamic volunteer. She works to expand enforceable human and ecological rights by serving on the boards of various non-profits, including chairing the Earth Law Center. Parent to Cal Waytena BRDD 26, who is studying Sculpture at RISD and futurology and design and Brown University, Waytena is a member of the RISD Families Philanthropy Committee and 1877 Society Provost’s Circle along with her husband William Leo “Bill” Waytena Jr. P 26.
Families ambassador committee
Members play a crucial role in building a supportive environment and answering questions for incoming first-year families.
Philanthropy committee
Members support RISD’s fundraising efforts through planning and attending events, sharing the impact of the RISD Fund and thanking generous supporters.
Programming and events committee
Members assist in planning in-person and virtual events to increase participation among current, first-year, and alumni families.