Building Assets.
Creating Change.
Founded in 1995, COI Ladder Institute began with a simple yet powerful vision: to build assets and create lasting change in the communities we serve. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we believe empowering individuals and communities through education, mentorship, and opportunity is the key to transforming lives.
In 2013, we expanded our reach with the Martha’s Vineyard Founders & Funders Retreat, a transformative initiative supporting founders and funders within the startup ecosystem by providing resources, mentorship, and strategic networking opportunities.
Explore Our Programs
Our Flagship Programs
Each program is designed to unlock potential, support economic mobility, and create meaningful opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities.
kW for Good™
Connecting corporate energy savings to community need, creating sustainable pathways toward energy equity.
Learn MoreFounders & Funders Programming
A structured ecosystem of peer offerings designed to connect founders and funders, facilitating meaningful access, strategic relationships, and measurable opportunities across the startup landscape.
Learn MoreSTRIVE Youth
STEM education, leadership development, and entrepreneurial training for young people in underserved communities.
Learn MoreSustainable Energy Equity (SEE) Index
The Sustainable Energy Equity Index — a corporate equity and inclusion assessment framework for measuring organizational impact.
Learn MoreOur Founder
SaLisa L. Berrien
Founder, COI Ladder Institute
“My mission in life is to positively impact the space I occupy by building assets.”
With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and an Executive MBA from Saint Joseph’s University, SaLisa L. Berrien has spent over 30 years spanning nonprofit leadership, clean energy, and corporate strategy.
She founded COI Ladder Institute in 1995 with a commitment to building assets and creating lasting change in underserved communities. Under her leadership, the Institute has launched flagship programs including STRIVE Youth, kW for Good™, the SEE Index, and the annual Martha’s Vineyard Founders & Funders Retreat — now in its 13th year.
Martha’s Vineyard Founders & Funders Retreat
The longest-standing gathering of its kind on Martha's Vineyard — unlocking real access to the 3Cs.
August 3–5, 2026 · Martha's Vineyard
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Learn more about our programs, partnerships, and how you can get involved.