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
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 Engalnd 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 Stroug, 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
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.
Rhode Islanders Connect 200,000+ times with United Way 211 and Point, Program Generated Significant Economic Benefit and Savings to State in 2024
For every dollar invested in the public service that’s free and available 24/7, 365, the return on investment to Rhode Island is $7.50
United In Action Amid Chaos and Uncertainty
A message from Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s president and CEO
For generations, nonprofits have answered the call, stepping up to serve our communities despite being underfunded by the federal government.
Help the helpers: Rhode Island needs its nonprofits, and R.I. nonprofits need support amid chaos and uncertainty
The Boston Globe RI
While the memo from the Trump administration to freeze federal funds has been rescinded, the actions and intent have not, writes Cortney M. Nicolato the president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island.
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
National 211 Day Celebration 2025
Rhode Island State House
Please register by Friday, Feb. 7, 2025
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.