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
Carolyn Belisle, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
*United Way of RI: Vice Chair, Community Impact Committee
Marcela Betancur, Executive Director, Latino Policy Institute
Michelle Carr, Executive Director Leadership Rhode Island
Charles “Chachi” Carvalho, Chief Equity Officer, City of Pawtucket
Barbara Chernow, EVP, Finance & Administration (retired)
Brown University
*United Way of RI: Board Treasurer & Vice Chair, Finance and Facilities Committee
Wes Cotter, Director, Corporate Communications
Gilbane, Inc.
Joanne Daly, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor
Morgan Stanley
Jayne Donegan Esq., Senior Executive Counsel & Assistant Secretary
Textron, Inc.
*United Way of RI: Vice Chair, Audit Committee
Paola Fernandez, Senior Vice President, Community Development Officer
Centreville Bank
*United Way of RI: Board Chair
Courtney Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer
City of Providence
Sarah Latham, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration, Brown University
Junior Jabbie, President & CEO
Banneker Supply Chain Solutions, Inc.
Dolph L. Johnson, Jr., Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer (retired)
Hasbro, Inc.
Kate N. Kishfy, Esq., Founder
Sylvia & Kishfy LLC
Cortney Nicolato, MS, President & CEO, United Way of Rhode Island
Paige Parks, Executive Director, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
Gregg Perry, President
The Perry Group
*United Way of RI: Vice Chair, Resource & Engagement Committee
Yahaira “Jay” Placencia, CFP, SVP, Private Client Advisor
Bank of America Private Bank
*United Way of RI: Chair, Community Advisory Board
Sean Edmund Rogers, PhD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Dean, College of Business, University of Rhode Island
Ramona Royal, Assistant Vice President and Administrative Officer, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
*United Way of RI: Vice Chair, Benefits and Compensation Committee
Christopher Sabitoni, New England Assistant Regional Manager, Laborers’ International Union of North America, New England Regional Office
*United Way of RI: Board Secretary
Rena Sheehan, MBA, LICSW, VP, Clinical Strategy and Implementation
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
*United Way of RI: Vice Chair, Community Advisory Board
Srinivasan Krishnamurthy, Chief Strategy & Information Officer, FM
*United Way of RI: Vice Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
Suresh Swaminathan, Chief Operating Officer
Teknor Apex Company
Community Advisory Board
Darryl Lindie,* Co-Founder
New Majority Capital/Navy Veteran
Melissa Sanzaro* Executive Director
Providence Housing Authority
Mary Jo Callan* Executive Director
Swearer Center for Public Service, Brown University
Iain Bamford* Principal
Deloitte
Rev. Patrick Faulhaber,* Senior Minister
Central Congregational Church
Jennifer Hawkins* President & CEO
One Neighborhood Builders
Helena Moronta,* First Vice President, Community Development & Diversity
Baycoast Bank
Patrick Crowley,** Secretary/Treasurer
Rhode Island AFL-CIO
Omar Reyes* Director of Adult Programs and Student Success
RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
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.
Adios, X/Twitter
Dear United Way of Rhode Island Community,
We wanted to share an important update about our social media strategy. After careful consideration, United Way of Rhode Island has made the decision to take an indefinite break from Twitter/X. While we recognize the role that digital platforms play in amplifying our work and connecting with our community, this decision aligns with our commitment to building a stronger and more equitable Rhode Island for all. (more…)
No matter who wins the presidential election, we must tackle the issues in Rhode Island ourselves
The Boston Globe RI
Addressing housing, education, and workforce problems will require a renewed commitment to collective work, community engagement, and social justice, according to United Way of Rhode Island.
United Way of Rhode Island impulsa la equidad y el compromiso cívico
WPRI 12 Informa
En una reciente entrevista en 12 Informa, María Elena Wah-Fitta, Manager of Brand Voice en United Way of Rhode Island, destacó los esfuerzos de la organización para promover la equidad racial y apoyar a las comunidades más vulnerables del estado.
United Way Honors Local Champions at 98th Annual Celebration
It’s been a year of creating a stronger, more equitable Rhode Island, and as United Way used its 98th Annual Celebration to cast light on the change made possible when our community works together, the organization also honored local champions who have gone above and beyond in service.
United Way of Rhode Island Receives $20,000 from Point32Health Foundation to Support “United We Vote RI” Campaign
Providence, R.I. (October 15, 2024) – United Way of Rhode Island has received $20,000 from Point32Health Foundation to support its ongoing “United We Vote RI” campaign as the November election draws closer. The grant is part of a larger investment by the foundation to support advocacy work to promote policies that include the perspective of […]
United Way of Rhode Island Elects New Members to its Board of Directors
United Way of Rhode Island has installed a slate of five new members to its Board of Directors, each bringing a unique and powerful perspective to the organization and its mission to create opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. Read more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us at the 50th anniversary of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
We are excited to have you join us for the 50th anniversary of the Earned Income Tax
Credit (EITC)
Date: January 31, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Rhode Island State House Library
82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903
Join us at Power of Women: Leading with Purpose
Join us for Power of Women: Leading With Purpose, our reimagined celebration formerly known as Power of the Purse. This year’s event brings together women from across Rhode Island during Women’s History Month to connect, empower, and inspire each other during an elegant brunch.
📅 Thursday, March 20, 2025
⏰ 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍 Bally’s Twin River Lincoln
🎟 $150 per ticket | $1,250 per table of 10
Brunch will be served at 11 a.m. The speaking program will begin at noon.
Interested in sponsoring this event or discussing ways to support? Please contact Karen Alzate at karen.alzate@unitedwayri.org.