BOARDS
TRULY, UNITING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
BOARD MEMBERS ON OUR MISSION
Paola Fernandez
Board Member
VP Community Development, 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
Board Member
Laborers' International Union of North America
"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
Alden Anderson
Senior Vice President/Partner
CBRE/New England | Brokerage
Vice Chair, Board Governance, Ethics,
and Nominating Committee
Marcela Betancur
Executive Director
Latino Policy Institute
Brian Carroll
Senior Managing Counsel & Senior Vice President
Citizens Capital Markets
Barbara Chernow
Community Volunteer
Treasurer
Wes Cotter*
Director, Corporate Communications
Gilbane, Inc.
Joanne Daly*
First Vice President, Financial Advisor
Morgan Stanley
Jayne Donegan
Executive Counsel
Textron, Inc.
Vice Chair, Audit Committee
Paola Fernandez
Community Development and Charitable Foundation Officer
Centreville Bank
Vice Chair, Community Investment Committee
James Galloway
Executive Vice President, EMEA/AP Operations and AFM
FM Global
Junior Jabbie**
President and CEO
Banneker Supply Chain Solutions, Inc.
Vice Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
Dolph Johnson
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Hasbro, Inc.
Board Chair
Wendy Kagan
Executive Vice President, Director of Employee and Community Engagement
BankNewport
Vice Chair, Compensation and Benefits Committee
Robert R. Kent
Senior Vice President and Team Leader Commercial Banking
The Washington Trust Company
Dr. Barbara A. Mullen
Community Volunteer
Cortney Nicolato**
President and CEO
United Way of Rhode Island
Gregg Perry**
President
The Perry Group
Vice Chair, Resource and Engagement Committee
Joseph Pierik
Vice President, Retail Leasing & Acquisitions
Carpionato Group, LLC
Betsey A. Purinton**
Managing Partner and CIO
StrategicPoint Investment Advisors
Vice Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
Ramona Royal*
Assistant Vice President, Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Christopher A. Sabitoni
International Representative
Laborers’ International Union of North America
New England Regional Office
Dr. Frank D. Sánchez**
President
Rhode Island College
Secretary
Rena Sheehan*
Vice President, Clinical Integration
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Suresh Swaminathan*
President
Teknor Apex Company
*New Board member
**Re-elected member
Community Advisory Board
Donna Sowa Allard
Tomas Ávila
Denise Barge
Elizabeth Burke-Bryant**
The Honorable Sandra Cano
Ainsley Morisseau Cantoral**
Claudia Cardozo
Michelle Carr
Elizabeth Catucci
Amanda Cantrell
Patrick Crowley*
Erin Donovan-Boyle
Lisa Guillette**
MaryClaire Knight**
Linda Lulli**
Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos
Margaret A. Holland McDuff
Kelly Nevins*
Ray Nuñez*
Ashley Gingerella O’Shea
Nina Pande*
Laura Pedrick
Alexandra Pezzello
Yahaira “Jay” Placencia
Kelly Ramirez*
Lisa Ranglin
Lucy Rose
Genevieve Schultz
Nancy Serpa**
John (JJ) Silvia, III
Susan Stenhouse
Ed Tavarez
Rev. Chontell N. Washington
Kasim Yarn
*New member
**Re-elected member
Invest in after-school and summer learning
The Providence Journal
"As Rhode Island’s policymakers allocate [American Rescue Plan Act] funding for education recovery and school districts determine how to spend those funds, it’s crucial that they partner with and fund after-school and summer learning programs," share Roshni Darnal, director of community investments at United Way of Rhode Island, and Maryclaire Knight.
RI opens path to break cycle of court fees
The Providence Journal
"Long after Rhode Islanders serve their time in prison, many are saddled with thousands of dollars in court fees and fines, even as they struggle to rebuild fractured lives... On Thursday, Nov. 18, a first-of-its kind event will take place to help people navigate their way back into society."
R.I. can no longer overlook nonprofit sector
The Boston Globe
"The pandemic has highlighted the essential, irreplaceable roles played by Rhode Island's nonprofit sector. And our state investments and attention to the sector needs to reflect that."
United Way Welcomes New Board Members
“United Way of Rhode Island has appointed a total of 10 community leaders across its board of directors and its Community Advisory Board, while also naming a new board chair. Assuming leadership of the board of directors is Dolph Johnson, EVP, Chief Global Human Resources Officer for Hasbro, Inc.”
Starkweather & Shepley: Annual Celebration Honoree
“Here at United Way of Rhode Island… we take great pride in our role as a convener, bringing community stakeholders together to address our state’s most important issues. And we are tremendously fortunate to have partners that support not only our work, but also our vision for a Rhode Island that is the best it can be.”
Homes RI: Annual Celebration Honoree
“It’s no secret that Rhode Island is in the midst of a housing crisis — one that began prior to COVID-19 and that’s since reached epic proportions over the past 18 months. As it’s estimated the Ocean State is short some 20,000+ units of affordable housing… one group in particular is leading the charge toward flipping the script.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Embracing Equitable Practices in OSTL
Join the Rhode Island Afterschool Network for our fall 2021 professional development conference, Embracing Equitable Practices in OSTL, on Friday, Dec. 3, and Saturday, Dec. 4. You'll learn strategies from experts in our field and receive tools to help mitigate the impact of racism and inequities on our youth. This is a virtual event.
Learn with Leaders ft. Steven O’Donnell
Join United Way of Rhode Island's Young Leaders Circle for Learn with Leaders featuring Steven O'Donnell on Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 6 – 7 p.m. You'll hear how Steve has risen through the ranks in public safety and now paves the way so underserved youth in Rhode Island can reach their full potential. This is a free, virtual event.
Community Learning Partners
Join United Way of Rhode Island's Women United for our next Community Learning Partners event on Thursday, Dec. 9, from noon – 1 p.m. You'll hear from Camp RYSE, Meeting Street, and Mt. Hope Learning Center — three Women United grantee partners doing exceptional work to support childhood learning. This is a free, virtual event.
YLC Holiday Event and Stocking Drive
Join United Way of Rhode Island's Young Leaders Circle (YLC) in spreading holiday cheer as we collect stuffed stockings for underserved youth in Rhode Island. Bring a stocking filled with gloves, gift cards, and other goodies to the Narragansett Beer Taproom in Providence on Thursday, Dec. 16, from 6 – 7 p.m. and receive a complimentary beer ticket for up to three beers.