Gail Lowney Alofsin is Newport’s own energizer bunny. She is everywhere—starting each day at the gym at 5:30 a.m., moving through “hour of power” coffees and back-to-back meetings, commuting to and from the University of Rhode Island campus, where she serves as Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Office of Strategic Initiatives, teaching at URI for over 25 years and Salve Regina University for over 10 years, and juggling numerous nonprofit board and committee commitments focused on education, health, hunger, and economic development. And somehow, she still makes quality time each day for her family and an expansive network of friends.
Gail is a self-proclaimed “lifelong pragmatic optimist.” Positivity comes naturally to her—it fuels her energy. She wakes up every morning with the mantra, “I am not going to let anybody, or anything, ruin my day today.” Her book, Your Someday Is NOW – What Are You Waiting For? is in its second printing and has raised more than $55,000 for nonprofit organizations. She has been volunteering for non-profit organizations since she was seven years old and in the early 1980s, she started volunteering with the Haitian Health Foundation, (both in the United States and Haiti) which was founded in 1982 by her father, Dr. Jeremiah Lowney.
Newport is fortunate to have Gail as a beacon of light for so many—including me. When I was considering who to spotlight for this week’s WUN Voices column, it was immediately clear that Gail’s voice deserves amplification and her outlook on life deserves to be shared. Each January since 2020, she has published tips and delivered keynotes and workshops on how to “re-ignite your SPARRK” (the double R is intentional) for the new year. SPARRK is an acronym for Gail’s blended core philosophies: Show up, be Positive, Adapt, Build Relationships, value your Resources, and commit to Kaizen—a term for Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement.
Starting with 20 tips in 2020, Gail has added a new piece of advice each year. A member of the National Speakers Association and National Speakers Association New England (where she will serve as the Co-President beginning in June) and a sought-after motivational speaker, she has been invited to present as the keynote speaker at this month’s Discover Newport Industry Marketing Meeting on January 28, where she will speak to local business leaders, enumerating many of her helpful tips for 2026.
Keeping the SPARRK Lit
Gail believes the fastest way we lose our spark as the new year unfolds is by moving from inspired to overwhelmed due to a lack of systems and structure.
“We set bold intentions in January, and then life gets busy, projects are sidelined, and our inner critic gets louder,” she said. “The solution is to celebrate the small wins, spend as much time as you can with your family and your ‘people,’ exercise, do your best to eat healthy, and get enough sleep. Your spark doesn’t disappear—it gets buried under busyness and self-doubt. I always tell people to find an accountability partner and ally, focus, and choose momentum over perfection. And finally, you must know in your heart: You’ve got this!”
Where Does Your Pragmatic Optimism Stem From?
“I grew up with an extraordinarily positive mother and a pragmatic father, and I’m blessed to still have them both in my life,” Gail shared. “For me, optimism is a choice, tempered with reality. When I’m faced with a negative situation, I ask myself, ‘What is in my control?’ and ‘Is there opportunity here?’ It’s not about pretending everything is perfect—it’s about choosing a possibility-focused mindset.”
When dealing with complex personalities, Gail approaches situations with curiosity. “I’m curious about the underlying reasons why people react the way they do, and I try to give people grace, since we never have the full picture of what they’re dealing with.” Her personal faith—a gift passed down by her parents—also supports her during difficult times.
Early Influences
“I attended Tufts University and majored in political science. One of my favorite courses focused on Japanese history and culture,” she said. “I still relate to the concepts of ikigai (purposeful living), Kintsugi (a Japanese art form and philosophy of embracing imperfection), and kaizen. These philosophies align closely with a growth mindset, framing personal development as a lifelong process rather than a destination.”
Borrowing a term from Cajun French, Gail also leans into the concept of lagniappe—offering an “unexpected extra” to enhance another person’s day.
Advice on Time and Balance
Balance, Gail says, is elusive—and intentional. “We don’t find balance; we set boundaries to create it. We must learn to say ‘no’ politely and without guilt and say ‘yes’ with intention. We need to protect our energy and time as if they are our most valuable assets. It also helps to determine what matters most in this season of your life, then build in the white space needed to focus on those priorities.”
She summed it up simply: “Self-care is not selfish—it’s strategic.”
Michele Gallagher is a dedicated advocate of local businesses, community leaders, and non-profits and is the founder of City-by-the-Sea Communications.
