Meet our Board

We are grateful to have a Board of Directors that is passionate and dedicated to improving the economic well-being of Rhode Island and its residents.

Jill Beckwith
Director of Grants, Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice, Bridgewater State University

Paola Fernandez
VP, Community Development Officer, Centreville Bank

Robert Ferreira (Treasurer)
Principal, Duxford Capital Advisors, LLC

Eric Hirsch
Professor of Sociology, Providence College

Paula Hodges
Founder, Anchor Strategies

Carolyn Mark (Chair)
Chair, Economic Progress Institute

Hugh Minor (Secretary)
Communications Director, RI Community Food Bank

Quadry Olalekan
Lead Business Analyst, Unicom Engineering

Jessica Holden Sherwood (Vice Chair)
Professor of Sociology, Johnson and Wales University

Ashley Sanchez
Sr. Business Support Manager for Consumer Client Service, Bank of America

Shideh Shafie
Assistant Prof. of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert School of Medicine

Matthew Shumate
Deputy Chief of Staff, City of Providence

Alejandro Tirado
Associate Director of Purchasing, City of Providence

Kilah Walters-Clinton
Juvenile Probation Officer, Rhode Island Department of Children Youth & Families (DCYF)