Women United
A growing, global force of 75,000+ women in 165 countries
Women United members are United Way leadership donors who want to do more.
They work actively to further childhood literacy through grantmaking and volunteering.
Since 2011, these powerful women have donated more than $5.3 million to United Way of Rhode Island to support our community. The group made grants of more than $1 million to support childhood literacy. And they also have fun together at members-only events throughout the year.
Members as of January 2023
Marisa Albanese
Elaine Alderdice
Peri Ann Aptaker
Maria Barry
Carol Barton
Dorothea Becker
Christina Bellanti
Natalie Benkovich
Eneida Bennett
Jane Berkowitz
Susan Bodington
Carmelina Borsellino
Maureen Brady
MicheleBrannigan
Amy Brown
Elizabeth Bryant
Patricia Buchanan
RobertaButler
Marcia Cade
Erinn Calise
Emily Camparone
Mary Ann Canavan
Lisa Capalbo
KathrynCarmichael
Lori Caron Silveira
Louise Carriere
Tina Chapman
Anne Ciresi
Bonnie Clarke
Brenda Clement
Mary-Ann Connor
Sandi Connors
Janet Cooper Nelson
Rachel Cope
Lynn Corwin
Kelly Coutu
Amy Daley
Joanne Daly
Tara DeMoura
Jill DeShiro
Ann Destefanis
Colleen Dickson
Angela DiPlatzi
Kristen DiSanto
Patricia dos Santos Borges
Judy Downey
Susan Duffy
Jenifer Dwyer
Heather Easterbrooks
Lucia Ann Edwards
Sandra Elias
Melissa Emidy
JenniferFaria
Margaret Farrell
Crystal Ferrigan
Elizabeth Flanagan
Rachel Flum
Paola Fonseca-Fernandez
Lisa Fougere
Mary Fox
Tricia Frerman
Cory Galloway
Carolina Garcia
AntoniaGarlick
Jenna Giguere
Mary Gilbane
Maryellen Goode
Elizabeth Goodermote
Lisa Goodlin
Ann Goudreau
Colleen Gouveia Moulton
Mary Grady
Pamela Griffing
Andrea Groth
Lisa Guillette
Mary Gutierrez Moody
Nancy Hagerty
Mary Halpin
Melissa Hamlin
Lise Hasegawa
Brooke Havens
Barry Hittner
Heidi Holden
Christine Hunt
Jessica Hutchison-Yeates
Patricia Ianiere
Janet Jagger
Petra Jenkins
Loree Kalliainen
Ann Kashmanian
Ronda Kelman
Dione Kenyon
Carolyn Killian
Katherine Klosowski
Maryclaire Knight
MaryKay Koreivo
Michelle Labonte
Emma Lalovic
Margaret Lamb
Sandra LeComte
MicheleLederberg
Julie Libutti
Jeanne Lieb
Jodi Lucchetti
Joann Lucia
Linda Lulli
Elizabeth Luzier
Giovanna Mace
Chantrey Marchand
Rebecca Marino
Patricia Martinez
Sabina Matos
Sandra Mazo
Cynthia Meek
Stephanie Mendes
Sandy Miniati
Debbie Mitchell
Terri Monjar
Deirdre Morrison
YolandaNazario
CortneyNicolato
Mary Noons
Rachel North
Terry Novak
Sandra Pattie
Stephanie Pelletier
Gail Petters
Paul Pimentel
Jill Pipher
Janine Pitocco
Danielle Podgayevskiy
Lisa Provost
Betsey Purinton
Lisa Reed
Carleen Regan
Barbara Reid
Helen Rosca
Kathleen Ryan
Nancy Safer
Jacqueline Savoie
Mary Semeraro
Nancy Serpa
Mary Jane Silva
Barbara Silvis
Kerry Soderberg
Stacia Soucy
Amy Stack
Richard Straughn
MicheleStreton
Joanne Tellier
Susan Tierney
Danielle Trombino
Lisa Videtto
Mary Wall
Jessica Wang
Emily Werbeloff
Debra Westgate-Silva
Lauren Whatmough
Lisa Whiting
Bonnie Willgoos
Kathryn Windsor
Peggy Lamb, Chair
MaryKay Koreivo, Vice Chair
Roberta Butler
Joanne Daly
Mary Fox
Melissa Hamlin
Carolyn Killian
MaryClaire Knight
Chantrey Marchand
Sandra Mazo
Stephanie Pelletier
Helen Rosca
Liz Goodermote, Chair
Stephanie Pelletier, Vice Chair
Joann Daly
Lisa Guillette
Carolyn Killian
MaryKay Koreivo
Sandra Mazo
Anne Ciresi, Chair
Heather Easterbrooks, Vice Chair
Roberta Butler
Colleen Dickson
Lisa Fougere
Mary Fox
Lisa Goodlin
Helen Rosca
Nancy Serpa, Chair
Chantrey Marchad, Vice Chair
Jane Berkowitz
Melissa Hamlin
MaryClare Knight
Peggy Lamb
Debra Westgate-Silva
Bonnie Willgoos
Women on a mission
Women United’s mission is to engage and mobilize the power and leadership of women through education, philanthropy, advocacy, and service to ensure that every child in every Rhode Island neighborhood has equitable opportunities to learn to read. (Read more about United Way’s strategic focus on childhood literacy)
- Women United Executive Committee reviews applications and makes grants to Rhode Island literacy-focused nonprofits, granting $395,000 to eight organizations last year alone.
- Members also donate their time, volunteering 542 hours collectively last year.
Want to support Women United’s mission? Text WUGive to 51555 or visit our Women United donation page.
Membership benefits
Women United members donate $1,000 or more annually to United Way’s Community Impact Fund and/or the Women United fund.
The benefits of Women United membership include:
- Belonging to a community of like-minded women who share their time, talent and treasure
- Volunteering alongside others who want to make a difference
- Collaborating with business and community leaders
- Helping young Rhode Islanders with literacy opportunities, including STEM
- Participating in fun and educational members-only events
- Power of the Purse signature event: preferred tickets, preferred seating
- Opportunity to join and participate in Women United committees
- Women United members are “at the table” with both the United Way of Rhode Island Board and the Community Advisory Board
- Participation in members Facebook and LinkedIn groups
To discuss whether membership is for you, please contact Karen Alzate at karen.alzate@unitedwayri.org.
Five Qs With: Anthony Botelho
Providence Business News
Anthony Botelho serves as senior vice president of commercial banking and team leader for the commercial and industrial group at The Washington Trust Co. He was recently appointed to lead the bank’s commercial lending growth in Connecticut, where the company recently opened a New Haven commercial lending office. Anthony also serves on United Way of Rhode Island's Board of Directors.
Rethinking how one of R.I.’s largest nonprofits can grow
The Boston Globe
In October, [Idrees "Lanre"] Ajakaiye was appointed the new chief development officer at... United Way of Rhode Island where he'll be in charge of helping... United Way achieve its current strategic plan, which outlines the nonprofit's investment of $100 million over five years to help achieve racial equity.
City Council gives final approval to $10M reparations budget
Providence Business News
A two-yearslong effort to bring racial reparations to Providence achieved a milestone Wednesday... The approved funding largely mirrors recommendations set forth by a city panel based on community input, but with one major change that shifts some money into a COVID-19 Equity Fund to be managed by United Way of Rhode Island.
Final Pitch Event for Nonprofit Innovation Lab Set for Feb. 1
The stage is set. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the latest Nonprofit Innovation Lab will culminate as 10 Rhode Island organizations make their final pitch for a chance to secure seed funding to help bring their unique program idea to life. The program showcase and pitch night will be held at The Guild in Pawtucket beginning at 5 p.m.
Local Nonprofits Can Register Now to Participate in 401Gives
After a record-breaking year that saw more than 13,000 Rhode Islanders come together to make donations totaling $3.1 million in support of hundreds of local nonprofits, 401Gives is gearing up for a return on April 1 with sights set higher than ever. Nonprofits that wish to participate and raise funds for their work are invited to register now.
Nonprofit Executives Complete United Way Learning Circle
Leaning into an innovative opportunity to better their organizations and… strengthen the ability of the state’s nonprofit sector to serve Rhode Islanders, a group of 11 nonprofit leaders recently completed United Way’s Executive Director Learning Circle… The fellows spent a year in the program, and their achievement was celebrated on Dec. 16 during a gathering at United Way’s Providence office.
UPCOMING EVENTS
EITC Awareness Day and RI VITA Program Launch
Join us on Friday, Jan. 27 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at United Way of Rhode Island in Providence to learn how the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low- to moderate-income workers & families get a tax break. Individuals who earn under $60,000 can use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to receive free federal & state tax return preparation. Please register by Wednesday, Jan. 25.
Nonprofit Innovation Lab Impact Showcase & Pitch Night
Join United Way of Rhode Island and Social Enterprise Greenhouse for our Nonprofit Innovation Lab Impact Showcase & Pitch Night on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 5 - 7:30 p.m. at The Guild in Pawtucket. 11 nonprofits have been fine-tuning their innovation ideas for several months and are now preparing for the culminating pitch event, where $90,000 in prizes will be awarded to the three most compelling projects.