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
Vice Chair, Board Governance, Ethics & Nominating Committee
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,** Business Assistance Advisor
Commerce RI
Kathleen Burke, Executive Director
Newport Partnership for Families
Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Past Executive Director
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
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
Community Action Partnership of Providence County
Frank Flynn,** Vice President
Rhode Island Federation for Teachers
Lisa Guillette, Executive Director
Foster Forward
Robert Hughes, Retired CEO
Missouri Foundation for Health
Maryclaire Knight
Knight Consulting
Linda Lulli, Strategic HR Consultant & Leadership Coach (SHRM member)
Kerci Marcello Stroud, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
Rhode Island School of Design
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, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity
University of Rhode Island
Alexandra Pezzello, Esq.
Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP
Yahaira “Jay” Placencia, SVP, Private Client Advisor
Bank of America Private Bank
Community Advisory Board, 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
Genevieve Schultz, Principal
Paul Cuffee Charter School
Rena Sheehan, VP, Clinical Integration
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Community Advisory Board, Vice Chair
John Silvia, III, President, CHB
International Manufacturing Services, Inc.
Edward Tavarez,** VP/Team Manager, System Engineering
Bank of America
Rev. Chontell N. Washington, Interim Executive Minister
Rhode Island State Council of Churches
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.
Five Questions With: Roshni Darnal
Providence Business News
Roshni Darnal is the director of community investments for United Way of Rhode Island... where she manages the organization's strategic direction to address the needs of Rhode Islanders through its grantmaking processes… Darnal spoke with Providence Business News about those grantmaking changes and what it means for the nonprofit community moving forward.
FCARI: Prescription Delivery Services for Seniors
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 89% of adults 65 and older take prescription medicine. For seniors who have mobility issues or are unable to leave their homes to go to the pharmacy, using a prescription delivery service is a simple solution.
This resource provides seniors and their caregivers with the top prescription delivery services, information on financial assistance options, and guidance on choosing the best service for their specific needs. Learn more at: www.caring.com/best-prescription-delivery-services/
PBN announces 2023 Best Places to Work honorees
Providence Business News
Sixty-seven honorees, including United Way of Rhode Island, have been named by Providence Business News for its 2023 Best Places to Work Awards program... The honorees will be recognized June 7 for their efforts in a ceremony at Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick in Warwick, where the company rankings in each category will be announced.
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.
United Way Selects Leaders for Executive Director Learning Circle
Laser-focused on its work to support the needs of the state’s nonprofit community… United Way of Rhode Island has kicked off its latest Executive Director Learning Circle. The organization has selected 11 local nonprofit leaders to participate in the yearlong program that focuses on strategic development and increasing their organizations’ capacity to deliver their social impact work.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Women United Sip and Shop Event
Thursday, April 25, 2024
2 - 6 p.m
J.McLaughlin
497 Angell St, Providence 02906
Join us for an exclusive Sip and Shop event where you can indulge in some retail therapy. Bring along your friends for a day of fashion, fun, and fabulous finds, all while learning about Women United.
For more information, contact Karen.Alzate@unitedwayri.org