Boards

BOARDS

TRULY, UNITING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

BOARD MEMBERS ON OUR MISSION

Paola Fernandez
Paola Fernandez
Board Member
SVP, Community Development Officer, Centreville Bank

"Because United Way is about community first, leveraging its resources and partners to do everything possible to advance justice and guide positive change."

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Chris Sabitoni
New England Assistant Regional Manager, Laborers' International Union of North America, New England Regional Office

"The mission of this strategic plan aligns with everything that our Union stands for. As in our motto, Justice, Honor & Strength for all individuals."

Board of Directors

Marcela Betancur

Marcela Betancur

Executive Director, Latino Policy Institute

Marcela’s early professional career began at the Providence Housing Authority where she helped lead and coordinate special programs and policies for its residents. Later, she went on to serve as the director of homeownership for NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, where she focused on serving first time homebuyers — specifically Latinos, immigrants, and millennials. Marcela worked as a policy associate for the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island where she worked with local and statewide organizations to ensure that policies, laws, and regulations proposed or enacted protected civil and human rights for all Rhode Islanders.

Carolyn Belisle

Carolyn Belisle

Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, BCBSRI

For over 15 years, Carolyn Belisle has led Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s efforts to leverage philanthropy, employee volunteerism, and strategic partnerships to address critical issues affecting Rhode Islanders’ health. Belisle has served in a leadership capacity on boards including Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island, Big Sisters of Rhode Island, the American Heart Association, and Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island. United Way of Rhode Island honored her in 2013 as a Partner of the Year. She is a member of Providence Business News “40 Under 40” class of 2014.

Chris Budris

Chris Budris

SVP & Chief Financial Officer, Gilbane Building Company

As CFO, Chris Budris leads all financial operations of Gilbane Building Company. Chris is a Certified Public Accountant who previously served Gilbane as Midwest Division Controller and most recently as Corporate Controller. He is a leader and team motivator with the ability to identify and solve problems. His 30 years of construction industry includes international operations, business, and finance. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Truman State University. 

Michelle Carr

Michelle Carr

Executive Director, Leadership Rhode Island

Michelle Carr serves as the Executive Director at Leadership Rhode Island (LRI) where she stewards talent and organizational development, operational excellence, thought leadership, and strategic initiatives.

Previous to LRI, Michelle served as Director of Community Relations at Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island where she did community outreach, public engagement, cross-cultural training and policy change.

In 2018 Michelle was awarded the Providence Business News 40 under Forty Award. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Business Studies certificate from Providence College, where she is a Community Faculty Member in the Global Studies Department and Feinstein Center for Community and Public Service.

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Charles “Chachi” Carvalho

Chief Equity Officer, City of Pawtucket

Chachi serves as the Chief Equity Officer for the City of Pawtucket. Carvalho has done extensive work with the youth community, volunteering as a football coach for over fourteen years at his alma mater Shea High School and serving as a brand ambassador for the Transform Rhode Island scholarships. Similarly, he founded Culture Shock, an annual music festival and community celebration, hosted annually in downtown Pawtucket.

Barbara Chernow

Barbara Chernow

EVP for Finance and Administration, Brown University (Retired)

Barbara holds more than 35 years of experience leading administrative operations in education. In her position as the senior executive overseeing most non-academic functions, she led major improvements across financial planning, human resources, internal audit, facilities, transportation, dining, auxiliary services, information technology, and business operations.  Barabara is a proud member of Brown’s Class of 1979 where her leadership was instrumental in aligning Brown’s administrative and business infrastructure with its historic commitment to academic excellence. Barbara is now retired from Brown University after more than five years of service at the university.

Rachel Cope

Rachel Cope

Staff Senior VP- Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, FM

Rachel began her career at KPMG in the U.K. in 1991, where she spent eight years as a Senior Auditor before moving on to new opportunities. She then served as Finance Manager at Freedman Frankl & Taylor, an accounting firm in Manchester, England, for two years. Following that, she joined HBOS Plc as Associate Director and Finance Manager, a role she held for nearly four years.

In 2005, Rachel joined FM in England as Vice President, Finance Director. Her career continued to grow, and in 2017, she relocated to Luxembourg to lead FM’s EMEA Finance department. That same year, Business Insurance magazine recognized her as one of its “2017 Women to Watch.”

In 2019, Rachel moved to the United States to take on the role of Staff Senior Vice President, Finance Controller, at FM’s headquarters in Johnston, RI. She currently serves as Staff Senior Vice President, Head of Financial Planning & Analysis.

Greg Cornett

Greg Cornett

President, Rhode Island Energy

As President of Rhode Island Energy, Greg leads the largest utility in the Ocean State, serving over 770,000 electric and gas customers. His responsibilities include overseeing legislative and regulatory strategy, external affairs, and local communications while collaborating with affiliates in Pennsylvania and Kentucky to develop the utilities of the future. With over 25 years of industry experience, he applies a strategic and collaborative approach to problem-solving. His efforts are centered on helping Rhode Island achieve its climate goals while ensuring affordable and reliable service for customers.

Joanne Daly

Joanne Daly

Senior Vice President- Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley

Joanne is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, she has over 25 years of combined CPA (currently not practicing) and wealth planning experience with a M.S. in Taxation from Bryant University. She is a past President of the American Society of Women Accountants (RI Chapter), past Chair of the Financial Literacy and Planning committee for the Rhode Island Society of CPAs, and current member of the South County Health Foundation (Hospital) board, as well as past investment committee member.

In addition, Joanne is a frequent guest speaker on financial empowerment for women and has presented at Bryant University Women Summit, AWE Leading Women, and appeared on Patricia Raskin’s Positive Living Radio Show.

Jayne Donegan

Jayne Donegan

Senior Executive Counsel, Textron

Jayne Donegan is Senior Executive Counsel at Textron where she is lead attorney for SEC reporting and compliance, as well as corporate transactions and corporate governance matters. Prior to Textron, Jayne worked at Brown Rudnick for fourteen years where she counselled public and private corporations in a variety of major transactional matters. Jayne holds a Doctor of Law (JD) degree from the University of California at Berkely.

Paola Fernandez

Paola Fernandez

SVP Community Development Officer, Centreville Bank

Paola is a multi-talented professional with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit, government relations, and financial sector. She is recognized as a strong leader that is culturally sensitive and drives results in a collaborative and inclusive manner. Prior to working at Centreville Bank, Paola worked at Pawtucket Credit Union as AVP, Community Development, and United Way of Rhode Island as Director for Public Policy and Government Relations for sixteen years.

In her current role at Centreville Bank as their SVP, Community Development Officer, Paola helps develop, launch, and manage the bank’s community brand identity and regional expansion across Rhode Island and Connecticut. Similarly, she drives strategic philanthropic initiatives, oversees the Charitable Foundation’s long-term priorities, and leads Corporate Social Responsibility efforts.

Courtney Hawkins

Courtney Hawkins

Chief Operating Officer, City of Providence

Courtney Hawkins currently serves as the City of Providence’s Chief Policy Officer where she oversees Providence Talks, the city’s sustainability program, Healthy Communities Office, workforce development programs, partnerships, education policy and serves as senior advisor to the mayor.

A Rhode Island native, Hawkins, has served as Executive Director of Providence Talks, a first of its kind early childhood intervention program designed to close the ‘thirty-million-word gap’ on a citywide scale, since May 2015. She previously served as Senior Vice-President at FEGS Health & Human Services, a New York City based human services agency, where she oversaw programs serving more than 25,000 people annually in the areas of youth development, education, foster care, welfare to work, workforce development and immigration assistance.

Hawkins received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University after graduating from the University of Rhode Island. She brings extensive experience in the implementation of high quality programs for youth and families while working with major partners and stakeholders.

Kate Kashfy

Kate Kishfy

Founding Attorney, Sylvia & Kishfy, LLC

Kate is a highly skilled attorney whose practice focuses on trusts and estates. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of services, including estate planning, estate and trust administration, estate and gift tax planning, wealth and business transfer planning, and charitable gift planning. Kate is dedicated to drafting estate plans tailored to her clients' specific wealth transfer goals while efficiently minimizing tax liabilities.

Her proficiency extends to probate and trust administration, where she has substantial experience in representing fiduciaries in estate and trust settlements. Kate's practice covers a broad geographical scope; serving clients in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Florida.

Before founding Sylvia & Kishfy, LLC Kate practiced as a solo practitioner at Kishfy Law, LLC. Prior to that, Kate was a partner in the Trusts & Estates Group at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, LLP. She has also held many prestigious positions, including Clerk to Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and internships with various federal and state court judges. Her experience is further enhanced by her involvement in staff and volunteer roles with non-profit organizations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Paige Parks

Paige Parks

Executive Director, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT

Paige Parks is Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. From 2019-2022, Paige served as Rhode Island KIDS COUNT’s Senior Policy Analyst responsible for policy analysis, advocacy, and project management in areas related to education and economic well-being. Prior to joining Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, Paige served as Director of Advancement and Assistant Director for Books Are Wings, and Network Director for the Youth 4 Change Alliance/ Youth In Action.

Paige serves on many boards, coalitions, and advisory groups including serving on the Board of Directors for the Partnership for America’s Children and the United Way of Rhode Island. Paige co-chairs the Rhode Island Department of Human Services Rhode Island Works Advisory Committee, co-leader of the Raising RI Coalition, and serves on the Advisory Board for the Rhode Island Afterschool Network.

Yahiara Placencia

Yahiara “Jay” Placencia

SVP and Private Client Advisor, Bank of America Private Bank

Yahaira (Jay) Placencia is a Senior Vice President and Private Client Advisor with Bank of America Private Bank in Providence, Rhode Island. For over two decades, she has been passionate about addressing the needs of business owners, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations.

Since joining Bank of America’s business banking division in 2000, Jay has held various roles, including senior client manager. Her responsibilities included oversight of key commercial client relationships and development of strategies to support for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She joined Bank of America Private Bank (formerly U.S. Trust) in 2014. Jay began her career in banking in 1993 working for a local non-traditional lender. She earned her B.B.A. from the University of Rhode Island, while working full-time.

Gregg Perry

Gregg Perry

President, The Perry Group

Gregg Perry is a seasoned communicator who brings creative thinking, legal sensitivity and a unique perspective to clients who are facing reputation challenges. With more than 30-years’ experience Perry serves as a trusted advisor to Fortune 1000 companies; law firms; school districts; universities, leading non-profits and small businesses. Perry helps companies build, enhance and protect their reputation and brand. He offers extensive experience in media relations, strategic planning, message development, and crisis litigation and marketing communications. His background is firmly rooted in lessons learned during a career that began in journalism, was followed by years with a state attorney general and US Congressman, and continued with some of the leading communications firms in New England and Washington, D.C.

Currently, Perry serves as a Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Rhode Island, and on the Board of Directors of Rhode Island Kids Count. Previously he served for six years on the Executive Board of the Alumni Association of the University of Rhode Island, where he received a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science.

Andréa V. Ray

Andréa V. Ray

Director of Belonging & Equity, Brown University Health

As the Director of Belonging and Equity at Brown University Health, Andréa brings extensive experience in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) initiatives. Her leadership is evident through her support of key JEDI projects, including the Equity Challenge, and her strategic investment in the Community Impact Fund at the leadership level. Since April 2020, she has been an active member of the Community Impact Committee and also serves on the boards of the Diversity and Inclusion Professionals (DAIP) and West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation.

Andréa’s career includes leadership roles in organizational development, human resources, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Prior to her current position, she served as Director of Organizational Development & Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), as a Senior Human Resources Business Partner for MinuteClinic at CVS Health, and as a Senior Human Resources Associate at Boston Scientific.

Sean Rogers

Sean Rogers

Dean of the URI College of Business

Sean Edmund Rogers is Dean of the URI College of Business and the Alfred J. Verrecchia-Hasbro Inc. Leadership Chair in Business. He is also a Professor of Management. Prior to being named Dean, he served as URI’s Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Community, Equity, and Diversity.

Before joining URI, he held faculty appointments at Cornell University, New Mexico State University, and University of New Mexico. His current research interests include unions and labor-management relations, employment discrimination and workplace diversity, and volunteerism. He earned a Ph.D. in industrial relations and human resources from Rutgers University and master’s degrees from Wake Forest School of Law, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) as well as a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Sean currently serves as a Medical Service Corps (healthcare administration) officer in the US Air Force Reserve.

Romana Royal

Ramona Royal

Assistant Vice President and Administrative Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Ramona Royal is an assistant vice president in the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI) at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and is responsible for assisting in setting the strategic direction for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programming. In this role, she will serve as the lead liaison to the Bank’s employee resource groups, provide guidance to the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group (DIWG), and develop training for the Bank. She will also work closely with Human Resources to support diverse talent management initiatives.

Prior to joining the Bank, Ramona worked at Amica Mutual Insurance Company where she served as the Talent Management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer responsible for developing talent management and diversity and inclusion strategies across the organization. Throughout her career, Ramona has been recognized for making meaningful advancements and identifying formal and informal barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ramona is a founding member of Diversity & Inclusion Professionals in Rhode Island, was honored by RICJ at the Justice Awards Gala at the Rhode Island State House in 2019, and in March, she received the Individual Property and Casualty Diversity and Inclusion award from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

Ramona holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in liberal arts from Harvard University. She also holds certificates from Harvard University in strategic management and organizational behavior.

Chris Sabitoni

Chris Sabitoni

New England Assistant Regional Manager, LIUNA

Christopher Sabitoni is the Assistant Regional Manager and General Secretary-Treasurer of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) New England (Local Union 271).

Rena Sheehan

Rena Sheehan

VP Clinical Strategy and Implementation, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island

As the Vice President Clinical Strategy and Implementation at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Rena leads initiatives to support Health Equity with a focus on maternal health, opioid overdose and childhood obesity. She also oversees quality, population health and behavioral health ensuring members have access to high quality services. Prior to joining Neighborhood, Rena worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), where she developed and championed the organization’s youth behavioral health strategy to improve access to care. She also led the development and implementation of BCBSRI’s Duals Special Needs care management program, insourcing behavioral health services, and designing behavioral health alternative payment models. As a community mental health leader, she championed clinical teams by integrating primary care within behavioral health, implementing open access, and transitioning to the Medicaid health home model. Rena is deeply committed to improving the healthcare system for vulnerable populations

Suresh

Suresh Swaminathan

Chief Operating Officer, Teknor Apex Company

Suresh Swaminathan joined Teknor Apex as a process engineer in 1987 after receiving his MSc degree in polymer engineering from the University of Akron. Subsequently he served as a technical manager, then as a plant manager, before taking on business development responsibilities for the company’s TPE products. Eventually he took charge of the TPE business and was instrumental in making it a global enterprise, playing key roles in three acquisitions. Suresh currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer where he continues to oversee the TPE and color businesses while supervising all operations in Europe and Asia.

Community Advisory Board

Rena Sheehan (Co-Chair), VP Clinical Stategy and Implementation, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island

Yahaira "Jay" Placencia (Co-Chair), SVP, Private Client Advisor, Bank of America Private Bank

Jillian Balzano, AVP, Community & Public Relations, The Washington Trust Company

Denise Barge, Principal, Barge & Associates, LLC

Sandra Cano, New England Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration

Liz Catucci, President & CEO, Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce

Patrick Crowley, President, Rhode Island AFL-CIO

Rilwan Feyisitan, President & CEO, Eastbay Community Action Program

Lisa Guillette, Executive Director, Foster Forward

Robert Hughes, CEO (Retired), Missouri Foundation for Health

Linda Lulli, Strategic HR Executive (Retired), Self-employed

Kelly Nevins, CEO, Women's Fund of Rhode Island

Ray Nuñez, Co-Founder, The People's Agency

Dorca Paulino- Smalley, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, University of Rhode Island

Kelly Ramirez, Director, Ryan Incubator, Providence College

Lisa Ranglin, President & CEO, RIBBA- Rhode Island Black Business Association

JJ Silvia

Kerci Marcello Stroud, Executive Vice President & Education Practice Partner, The Perry Group

Edward Tavarez

Juan Wilson, CEO & Founder, The MUSE Foundation of Rhode Island, Inc

Kasim Yarn, Director of the RI Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Affairs for Rhode Island

Nina Pande, Executive Director, Skills for Rhode Island's Future

Diana Capellan, Operations Manager, The Capellan Group

Frank Flynn

Weayonnoh Nelson Davies, Executive Director, Economic Progress Institute

Melissa Sanzaro, Executive Director, Providence Housing Authority

Mary Jo Callan, Vice President for Community Engagement and Executive Director of the Swearer Center for Public Service, Brown University

Iain Bamford, Principal, Deloitte Consulting

Rev. Patrick Faulhaber, Senior Pastor, Central Congregational Church

Jennifer Hawkins, Founder, Farnum Associates, LLC

Omar Reyes, Director of Adult Programs and Student Success, Rhode island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner

Helena Moronta, First Vice President Community Development, Diversity Equity Inclusion Officer, BayCoast Bank

UWRIO Featured

More than farming, Southside Community Land Trust is a lifeline for RI families: Commentary

According to The Economic Progress Institute, it costs a single-parent family in Rhode Island $83,239 a year to raise two children. A two-parent household needs $92,375. Even a single adult must earn nearly $40,000 just to meet the basics. With costs this high, families are forced to make impossible choices – often between housing, utilities and food, let alone nutritious, wholesome food.

This burden falls hardest on communities already impacted by systemic inequities – particularly Black, Indigenous, immigrant, elderly and low-income families living in food deserts. In these neighborhoods, access to fresh, affordable and culturally appropriate food is limited or nonexistent. Neighborhood bodegas, while a community staple, offer a limited quantity of produce. Grocery stores and farmers markets are scarce. Too often, fast food is the only consistent option.

Behind every dollar cut in funding for a nonprofit such as Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) is a story: A farmer and a community will suffer the repercussions of not having enough food on their table. And in the case of the recent funding loss to SCLT, they are cutting the roots of a deeply connected, community-grown food system.

UWRIO Featured

It’s time to broaden view of what nonprofits really are. Hope & Main shows how

I’ve spent the majority of my life immersed in the nonprofit sector, and one of the most common misconceptions is that they’re often placed beneath a "social services" umbrella. That narrow view couldn’t be further from the truth.

When nonprofits are seen only as organizations that address basic needs, it’s a limited perception that overlooks their far-reaching influence. They are the heartbeat of our communities, enhancing and influencing our daily lives in ways many do not even notice.

Nonprofits can be found everywhere – from youth sports leagues and museums to community gardens, arts foundations and public media. Your niece’s town soccer team? They’re part of a nonprofit. Enjoying a WaterFire lighting, hiking at a preserve or watching PBS on a quiet evening? Those experiences are made possible by nonprofits as well. They’re also economic engines, civic leaders and innovation hubs. Sometimes, they’re all of those things at once.

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Volunteers Needed for “Day of Action” on June 7 to Help Prepare Donated Books for Distribution to Local Children

Providence, R.I. (May 27, 2025) – United Way of Rhode Island’s annual “Day of Action” is quickly approaching, and the organization is looking for additional volunteers to help prepare thousands of donated books for distribution to local children. The event is one of United Way’s largest volunteer-driven initiatives of the year to improve childhood literacy.

“Day of Action” will take place on Saturday, June 7, at United Way’s 50 Valley Street headquarters in Providence, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is a fun, family-friendly event and provides a great opportunity for individuals needing community service hours for school or professional development.

During “Day of Action,” volunteers will help with sorting, labeling, and packaging thousands of books collected during United Way’s recent Children’s Book Drive in partnership with Books Are Wings, whose mission is to put free books in the hands of kids. Thanks to the drive’s many partners, community drop-off locations, and collections organized by businesses, schools, and other groups, the effort has thus far collected more than 10,000 books.

Once the books are ready for their new homes, Books Are Wings will distribute them to children across Rhode Island through summer learning and afterschool programs.

Volunteers on “Day of Action” will receive United Way “UNITED IS THE WAY” t-shirts and refreshments, including a pizza lunch at 12:15 p.m. Families and children are welcome and encouraged to participate; those aged 16 and under must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

If you would like to volunteer, or if you have questions, please contact Lori DiMatteo at Lori.DiMatteo@unitedwayri.org. Volunteers may also us this link to register.

Over the past decade, United Way’s Children’s Book Drive has provided more than 300,000 books to kids throughout the Ocean State.

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United Way of Rhode Island is uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. As a member of the world’s largest nonprofit network, we bring together individuals, business, nonprofit, community leaders and government to tackle the root causes of inequity and achieve specific, measurable goals. Our programs include 211, the statewide front door connecting Rhode Islanders with social services, resources, and vital programs. Both directly and through grants to nonprofits, we are investing to build economic opportunity, advance childhood learning, expand philanthropy, and to drive policy and participation. To learn more, visit unitedwayri.org, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

Signing of Minimum Wage Bill is a Win for Rhode Island Workers and a Step Forward for the Ocean State

Earlier today, Monday, August 4, United Way of Rhode Island had the honor and the privilege to be represented at the ceremonial signing of the legislation that increases Rhode Island’s minimum wage from $15 to $17 an hour by 2027,

Lawyers’ Committee for RI seeks Volunteer Attorneys to help Nonprofits Navigate the Evolving Regulatory and Funding Landscapes

Warwick, RI – [April 28, 2025] – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has partnered with United Way of Rhode Island to establish a satellite 211 office on CCRI’s Warwick campus, expanding access to essential community resources for students. This collaboration underscores CCRI’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to student success and ensuring students have the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

CCRI Partners with United Way to Open 211 Satellite Office on Warwick Campus

Warwick, RI – [April 28, 2025] – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has partnered with United Way of Rhode Island to establish a satellite 211 office on CCRI’s Warwick campus, expanding access to essential community resources for students. This collaboration underscores CCRI’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to student success and ensuring students have the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS