Our Board

Marion Orr, PhD, Chairperson
Frederick Lippitt Professor of Public Policy & Professor of Political Science at Brown University
Professor Orr has published seven books, and is also the author of numerous scholarly articles, essays, and reviews. Dr. Orr is an expert on American politics, urban politics, and African-American politics. He is a former chair of the governing board of the Urban Affairs Association, the world’s largest professional organization for urban scholars, researchers, and public service professionals.

Jael Lopes, Vice Chairperson 
Director of Strategic Community Partnerships at Providence Public Schools
Jael is a transformational leader with proven success championing the design/development of large-scale programs/projects and governing compliance procedures. She has a commendable track record of optimizing core business processes, building/leading cross-functional teams, directing full-cycle cross-functional projects, and authoring on-boarding structures.

Olga Barsegova, CPA, Treasurer

Olga has extensive experience in public accounting, providing audit and accounting services to various organizations. Olga’s clientele include not-for-profit organizations, private foundations, small to large businesses and state and local governments. Olga works closely with her clients on financial reporting matters, evaluating internal controls and providing guidance on implementation of new accounting pronouncements. Olga is a Certified Public Accountant, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Bryant University and a Master of Professional Accountancy degree from Rhode Island College.

Phyllis Dennery, MD, Secretary
Pediatrician in Chief at Hasbro Children's Hospital
Dr. Dennery is Pediatrician in Chief at Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children’s Hospital. She is the Sylvia Kay Hassenfeld Professor, Chair of Pediatrics, and Professor of Pediatric Medicine at Brown University. Dr. Dennery is also Professor of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Marisa A. Albanese
Manager, External Affairs at Rhode Island Energy

Marisa is Manager of External Affairs at Rhode Island Energy. She is an experienced Community Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the utilities and nonprofit arenas. She is skilled in Management, Consensus Building, Nonprofit Organizations, Fundraising, Grantmaking and Leadership.

Karen Davis
Co-Founder of North Star Impact Group
Karen is purpose and results-driven, global corporate social responsibility, employee engagement, entrepreneurial, communications executive. She is changemaker known as a respected, passionate and strategic idea generator with innovative approaches, highly trusted and responsible, with expertise in partnership building, program development, fundraising and management.

Deborah Gonzalez
Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Immigration Clinic at Roger Williams University.
Deborah supervises upper class law students on representation of the indigent immigrant community in Rhode Island with asylum applications, SIJ, VAWA, U Visas, Cancellation of removal, withholding of removal, BIA appeals, before the Executive Office of Immigration Review, and appeals before the First Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as probate hearings and family court hearings in Rhode Island State courts related to immigration relief.

Kinte Howie
Family Worker at Woonsocket Head Start Child Development Association
Kinte has a Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island. He has a passion for working in education, and with children and families. His mission is to support families to be healthy, active, and educated. In his free time, he serve as the Senior Warden to Saint James’ Episcopal church, as its youngest member.

Luisa Murillo
Director of Social Programs at Progreso Latino
Luisa is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit field for over 30 years. She is a talented non-profit leader skilled in Administration, Management, Communications, Grant Administration and Training; and has a strong commitment to supporting transformational community programs.

 

Tanitia Sello 
Independent Consultant