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
Paola Fernandez (Chair), SVP, Community Development Officer, Centreville Bank
Dolph Johnson, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer (Retired), Hasbro, Inc
Gregg Perry, President, The Perry Group
Chris Sabitoni, New England Assistant Regional Manager, Laborers' International Union of North America, New England Regional Office
Barbara Chernow, EVP, Finance & Administration (Retired), Brown University
Ramona Royal, Assistant Vice President and Administrative Officer, DE&I, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Junior Jabbie, President & CEO, Banneker Supply Chain Solutions, Inc
Srini Krishnamurthy, Chief Strategy & Information Officer, FM
Wes Cotter, Director, Corporate Communications, Gilbane, Inc
Joanne Daly, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Rena Sheehan, VP, Clinical Strategy and Implementation, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
Suresh Swaminathan, Chief Operating Officer, Teknor Apex Company
Jayne Donegan, Senior Executive Counsel & Assistant Secretary , Textron, Inc
Courtney Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer, City of Providence
Marcela Betancur, Executive Director, Latino Policy Institute
Yahaira "Jay" Placencia, SVP, Private Client Advisor, Bank of America Private Bank
Sean Rogers, Dean, College of Business, University of Rhode Island
Kate Kishfy, Founder, Sylvia & Kishfy LLC
Cortney Nicolato, President & CEO, United Way of Rhode Island
Carolyn Belisle, VP, Corporate Social Responsibility, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Paige Parks, Executive Director, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
Sarah Latham, EVP, Finance & Administration, Brown University
Charles "Chachi" Carvalho, Chief Equity Officer, City of Pawtucket
Michelle Carr, Executive Director, Leadership Rhode Island
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
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.
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.
United Way of Rhode Island Statement on the House Budget Cuts
United is the Way— and that means standing up for every Rhode Islander.
At United Way of Rhode Island, we believe budgets are moral documents — they reveal what we truly value. The budget passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on May 22 fails that test.
This federal budget proposal would devastate communities across our state. It includes sweeping cuts to programs that tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders rely on — putting healthcare, food assistance, housing, education, and veterans’ services at risk.
Slashing Medicaid funding and adding harsh work requirements would jeopardize care for more than 366,000 Rhode Islanders — including older adults, people with disabilities, and veterans who’ve earned better. Cuts to SNAP would force families to choose between food and rent. And new restrictions on services for homeless students and immigrant families betray our most basic commitments to dignity and fairness.
Every day, through 211, we hear the real stories behind the headlines — Rhode Islanders struggling to afford food, find housing, or access healthcare — and we’re here, answering the call, connecting them to the help they need.
By gutting funding for clean energy, stripping environmental protections, and attacking safety net services, this bill tears at the very foundation of strong communities.
Rhode Island should never be punished for choosing compassion — for expanding healthcare access, investing in sustainability, and protecting our neighbors. This isn’t just bad policy. It’s a betrayal of what we stand for.
Rhode Island deserves a budget that builds people up — not one that tears them down in the name of tax cuts.
It is critical that we advocate for the needs of our residents and take action that shows
United Is The Way. Because fairness and dignity, is critical to create a Rhode Island where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
📞 Call your U.S. Senators today and tell them you stand with them in standing up for the people of Rhode Island.
Senator Jack Reed: (401) 943-3100 https://www.reed.senate.gov/contact
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: (401) 453- 5294 https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/
Contact Jack | U.S. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island
The Official U.S. Senate website of Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island
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.
United Way Accelerates $1.5 Million in Grant Payments to Support Rhode Island Nonprofits Amid Funding Uncertainty
Recognizing the urgency of the financial strain facing local nonprofits, United Way of Rhode Island is taking a major step to provide timely critical support to its funded partners. The organization has released more than $1.5 million in grant payments nearly three months ahead of schedule, delivering early disbursements to 41 nonprofits across the state.
UPCOMING EVENTS
RI Young Professionals Statewide Summer Social
Join us for Rhode Island's re-vamped Young Professional Statewide Summer Social.
Co-hosted by United Way of Rhode Island's Emerging Leaders program, Millennial Rhode Island, and Southern Rhode Island Young Professionals, this is the largest young professionals networking event of the year and your chance to connect with your peers across companies, industries, and sectors.
When and Where?
Whaler's Brewing Co.
1174 Kingstown Road
South Kingstown, RI 02879
Wednesday, July 9th, 5:30pm-7:30pm
https://uwriweb.org/comm/SinglePageRegEvent.jsp?EventKeyHex=3136323132
Day of Action 2025
Day of Action is a worldwide United Way event, offering volunteer opportunities focused on the work of local United Way organizations. In Rhode Island, the Day of Action will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 9 AM - 1 PM to sort, label, and prepare the books for distribution to children in summer learning and afterschool programs.
To register, please click here: https://uwriweb.org/comm/SinglePageRegEvent.jsp?EventKeyHex=3135383931