BOARDS
TRULY, UNITING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
BOARD MEMBERS ON OUR MISSION
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."
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
David Bonenberger, President
Rhode Island Energy
Anthony Botelho, SVP Commercial Banking
The Washington Trust Company
Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Lending Officer
Brian Carroll, Senior Managing Counsel & SVP
Citizens Capital Markets
Barbara Chernow,** Retired EVP, Finance & Administration
Brown University
Treasurer
Wes Cotter, Director, Corporate Communications
Gilbane Inc.
Joanne Daly, SVP, Financial Advisor
Morgan Stanley
Jayne Donegan, Executive Counsel
Textron, Inc.
Vice Chair, Audit Committee
Paola Fernandez,** SVP, Community Development Officer
Centreville Bank
Vice Chair, Community Impact Committee
James Galloway,** Retired, EVP, EMEA/AP Operations & AFM
FM Global
Courtney Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer
City of Providence
Junior Jabbie, President & CEO
Banneker Supply Chain Solutions, Inc.
Vice Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
Dolph L. Johnson, Jr., Retired EVP & Chief Human
Resources Officer
Hasbro, Inc.
Board Chair
Wendy Kagan, EVP, Chief Engagement Officer BankNewport
Vice Chair, Compensation & Benefits Committee
Kate N. Kishfy Esq., Founder
Sylvia & Kishfy LLC
Cortney Nicolato, President & CEO
United Way of Rhode Island
Gregg Perry, President
The Perry Group
Vice Chair, Resource & Engagement Committee
Yahaira “Jay” Placencia, SVP, Private Client Advisor
Bank of America Private Bank
Betsey Purinton, CFP, Managing Partner & Co-CIO
StrategicPoint Investment Advisors
Vice Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
Sean Edmund Rogers, PhD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP,* Dean,
College of Business
University of Rhode Island
Ramona Royal,** Assistant VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Christopher Sabitoni, New England Assistant Regional Manager
Laborers’ International Union of North America,
New England Regional Office
Secretary
Rena Sheehan, VP, Clinical Strategy and Implementation
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
Suresh Swaminathan, Chief Operating Officer
Teknor Apex Company
*New member
**Re-elected member
Community Advisory Board
Jillian Balzano,** Community Relations Officer
The Washington Trust Company
Denise Barge,** Retired Business Assistance Advisor
Commerce RI
The Honorable Sandra Cano**
Senate Committee on Finance
Ainsley Morisseau Cantoral,** Co-Owner
Rancho de las Tres Potrancas
Diana Capellan*
The Capellan Group
Michelle Carr,** Executive Director
Leadership Rhode Island
Charles "Chachi" Carvalho,* Chief Equity Officer
City of Pawtucket
Elizabeth Catucci,** President & CEO
Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce
Paige Clausius-Parks, EdM,* Executive Director
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
Patrick Crowley,** Secretary/Treasurer
Rhode Island AFL-CIO
Rilwan Feyisitan,** President & CEO
East Bay Community Action Program
Frank Flynn,* Vice President
Rhode Island Federation for Teachers
Robert Hughes,** Retired CEO
Missouri Foundation for Health
Maryclaire Knight**
Knight Consulting
Linda Lulli,** Community Volunteer
(SHRM member)
Kerci Marcello Stroud,** Executive Vice President
The Perry Group
Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, JD,* Executive Director
Economic Progress Institute
Kelly Nevins,** Chief Executive Officer
Women’s Fund of Rhode Island
Ray Nuñez,** Partner & Community Director
Nuñez, The People’s Agency
Nina Pande,** Executive Director
Skills for Rhode Island’s Future
Dorca Paulino-Smalley,** Director, Office of Equal Opportunity
University of Rhode Island
Alexandra Pezzello, Esq.**
Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP
Yahaira “Jay” Placencia,** SVP, Private Client Advisor
U.S. Trust Private Wealth Management
Community Advisory Board, Co-Chair
Kelly Ramirez,** Director
Donald Ryan Incubator for Entrepreneurship in the Arts & Sciences, Providence College
Lisa Ranglin,** Founder and President
Rhode Island Black Business Association
Lucy Rose,** Chief of Talent & Learning
Children’s Friend
Rena Sheehan,** VP, Clinical Strategy and Implementation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Community Advisory Board, Co-Chair
John Silvia, III,** President, CHB
International Manufacturing Services, Inc.
Juan Wilson, Jr.,** Founder & CEO
MUSE Foundation of Rhode Island
Kasim Yarn,** Director
Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs
*New Community Advisory Board member
**Re-elected Community Advisory Board member
All Board of Directors members are Ex-Officio members of the Community Advisory Board.
Bennett Named Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer
GoLocalProv
Kyle Bennett, who has long been at the forefront of United Way of Rhode Island's legislative and policy work, has been promoted to the organization's Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer. Most recently, he served as senior director of public policy and equity, and joined United Way in 2006.
Grantmakers Council of R.I. names Bourns new executive director
PBN
Courtney Bourns, who has served as a strategy and program consultant for multiple foundations across the country for the last six years, has been named the new executive director for the Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island, the financial support nonprofit announced Tuesday.
Americans turn to 211 helpline amid mounting economic hardships
CBS News
The Wall Street Journal reports Americans are turning to social services helpline 211 in economic emergencies. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter for The Wall Street Journal, joins CBS News to discuss.
United Way Hosting Equity Challenge
As part of United Way of Rhode Island’s ongoing commitment to and demonstration of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the organization is preparing to host its 2024 Equity Challenge. All Rhode Islanders, individuals, and families, as well as local businesses, organizations, and groups are invited to participate in the challenge, which is being offered at no […]
United Way Accepting Applications for Providence Equity Fund
In collaboration with the City of Providence and aligned with its mission to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders, United Way has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the Providence Equity Fund grant program. Available funding is to support strategies that promote racial and social equity, economic mobility, and educational opportunities for underserved populations in Providence.
United Way Hosts 12th Children’s Book Drive
United Way of Rhode Island’s Children’s Book Drive is back! In April and May, we’re teaming up with Books Are Wings to help Rhode Island children build their own libraries at home. Join us by buying and shipping books, dropping off books at one of our collection sites, or hosting a drive.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Celebration 2024
Save the date!
Thursday, October 10
6 - 8 p.m.
Waterfire Arts Center
475 Valley St., Providence