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 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
United Way to Release RFP Friday for “United Is The Way” Safety Net Grants for Nonprofits Providing Critical Services to Rhode Islanders
With a priority to expand support for nonprofits and families amid growing federal uncertainty, United Way of Rhode Island is set to release a request for proposals (RFP) on Friday for new safety net grants through its “United Is The Way” initiative. (more…)
United Way: 211, Point programs save R.I. $1.2M in reduced nonemergency 911 calls
United Way of Rhode Island Inc.’s 211 and Point programs significantly reduced the state’s financial burden on nonemergency calls to 911 and to other state agencies in 2024, the organization said on Feb. 11 at the Statehouse. (more…)
United Way is Increasing Support of Nonprofits and Families Amid Federal Uncertainty, New Safety Net Grants Will be Made Available
“United Is The Way” will focus on expanding the services and supports available to local organizations and Rhode Islanders, and a special round of funding for nonprofit. (more…)
United Way Hosts 13th 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 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 […]
UPCOMING EVENTS
Equity Challenge 2025
During a time of uncertainty and division, United Way of Rhode Island aims to help bring together individuals and organizations towards a greater understanding around the practices underlying humanity, respect, and inclusion. The Equity Challenge is in its fifth year and iteration and is centered on the concept of “U.N.I.T.E.” (Universal, Neighborly, Intentional, Transformative, and Equity).
Equity Challenge 2025 will explore the following topics.
Monday, June 16: Universal
Tuesday, June 17: Neighborly
Wednesday, June 18: Intentional
Thursday, June 19: Transformation
Friday, June 20: Equity
United Way of Rhode Island Hosts 13th Children’s Book Drive in April and May
United Way of Rhode Island's Children's Book Drive is returning for its thirteenth year. In April and May, United Way is once again partnering with Books Are Wings to help Rhode Island children build their own libraries at home.
Rhode Islanders are invited to buy and ship books, drop off new and gently used books at a community collection site, or host a drive with their family, friends, or coworkers.
For more information, view our Children's Book Drive 2025 Frequently Asked Questions