Rhode Island's Emerging Leaders -- Meet Luis Vargas

Corinne Barber

The Providence resident is Development Coordinator for WaterFire Providence, which centers around a core installation of over 80 bonfires in downtown Providence and attracts more than 1 million people a year, generates more than $114 million in economic output and supports more than 1,200 jobs.

“I look forward to getting a more in depth and broader understanding of all the difference and diverse moving parts that make up Rhode Island and to creating more connections with other people that want to grow and inspire one another,” say Barber, who will be mentored by Sarah Dinklage of Rhode Island Student Assistance Services.

Barber graduated from Clark University with a B.A. in Government and International Relations and an M.P.A in Public Administration

Aeran Baskin

The Pawtucket resident is managing director of development at Teach for America. Founded in 1990, Teach For America works in partnership with communities to expand educational opportunity for children facing the challenges of poverty. This year, 61 Teach For America corps members are reaching more than 4,600 students in underserved Rhode Island schools.

"I hope this program will not only help me establish deeper connections in Rhode Island, but also serve as a crucible for becoming a more thoughtful servant and leader,” said Baskin, who will be mentored by Joan Kwiatkowski, CEO of Carelink in Providence.

A graduate of Howard University and the University of Michigan School of Law, Baskin formerly clerked for the U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Michigan and was a attorney advisor at the Social Security Administration.

Rebecca Bertrand

The Newport resident is director of development at the Newport Art Museum, which serves Rhode Island and regional communities as a cultural gathering place for the state’s rich cultural heritage and lively contemporary art scene.

“I hope to gain greater professional skills while networking with like-minded emerging nonprofit leaders," said Bertrand. “With a training in curatorial work and history, I have chosen development as the field to climb in the nonprofit sector to gain the essential background in fundraising required to lead an organization. Additionally, I have a strong commitment to Rhode Island and New England and plan to spend my career in this region."

Bertrand earned a B.A. in Cultural and Historic Preservation at Salve Regina University and an M.A. in American material culture and decorative arts at the University of Delaware, 2010. She will be mentored by Lori Urso, executive director of the Old Slater Mill Association.

Erica Busillo

The Providence resident is Manager of Individual Giving at Save the Bay,

“I look foward to a year full of professional and personal growth. I hope to come away from this program having truly challenged and expanded my leadership skills and feeling both prepared and inspired to take my career in non-profit management to the next level," says Busillo, who will be mentored by Peter Mello, managing director of WaterFire Providence.

A graduate of Northwestern University, Busillo is a member of the R.I. Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the PVD Lady Project, the Rhode Island Yacht Club Junior Activities Committee and the Ronald McDonald House of Young Professionals Leadership Committee.

Kristen Costa

The Somerset, MA, resident is Assistant Curator of the Newport Restoration Foundation. Founded in 1968, NRF has preserved dozens of 18th-century homes in Newport and operates two museum sites: Rough Point, the former home of Doris Duke, and Prescott Farm, a site of historic buildings on a rural landscape.

“I'm hoping to push myself to expand my leadership skills and better my confidence as a leader. In addition, I'm looking forward to expanding my knowledge and network within the world of arts and culture in Rhode Island," says Costa, who will be mentored by David Karoff, principal of David Karoff and Associates.

Costa graduated from Franklin Pierce College with a B.A. in American Studies and Brown University with an M.A. in Public Humanities.

Corinne Hursh

The Cranston resident is the operations specialist with Year Up.  The Providence-based nonprofit offers a one-year training program that provides low-income young adults hands-on skill development, college credits, internships and support to put them on a viable path to economic self-sufficiency.

"I hope to gain a deeper sense of what it means to be a leader in the nonprofit sector in Rhode Island.  I'm excited to learn from the leading movers and shakers and gain inspiration from them to forge my own highly meaningful career path,” she says. “I aspire to be a nonprofit leader so that I can feel a sense of giving back to my community. I have been fortunate enough to receive a high-level education and feel a responsibility to share the knowledge and skills I possess with those who can benefit from it.”

A graduate of Syracuse University and Utica College in Healthcare Administration, Hursh also operates Corinne Hursh Events, which offers event design and planning services. She came to Year Up from Philips Medical.  Hursh will be mentored by Kate Brewster, executive director of the Economic Progress Institute.

Tom Kerr-Vanderslice

The North Kingstown native is Rhode Island site director for Generation Citizen, a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit that promotes civic education.

"I'm hoping to work this year to develop and refine the skills, strategy and perspective necessary to set Generation Citizen Rhode Island on the path to sustainable and long-term success,” said Kerr-Vanderslice. He will be mentored by Meghan Hughes, executive director of Year Up Providence.

Kerr-Vanderslice graduated from the University of New Hampshire a B.A. in Political Science and History. He came to Generation Citizen after working in public and private lobbying and serving as the Finance and Campaign Director for a Maryland state campaign.

Allendre McGovern-Siembab

The Tiverton resident is senior finance compliance analyst at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). For more than 70 years, BCBSRI  has been dedicated to improving the health of its members and all Rhode Islanders by providing access to cost-effective, high-quality healthcare.

“I hope to strengthen my leadership skills, as well as develop methods to improve the dynamics and effectiveness of teamwork collaboration. Further, I hope to determine my next steps in professional career at the end of the program,” said McGovern-Siembab, who will be mentored by Michael Lichtenstein, executive director of Wood River Health Services in Hope Valley.

A graduate of the University of Rhode Island and the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth School of Business, McGovern-Siembab is secretary of the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurse Services of Bristol and Newport Counties and serves on the Logistics Committee of the March of Dimes.

Zach Mezera

The Providence resident is Executive Director of the Providence Student Union. Founded in 2010, PSU builds student power to ensure young people have a voice in improving their education. PSU’s powerful organizing campaigns have united hundreds of Providence students and driven meaningful improvements in Rhode Island testing policies, Providence transportation policies and much more.

"I am excited to use this opportunity to meet and grow with emerging nonprofit leaders across our state. It is clear that many nonprofits face similar challenges, and I look forward to building strong relationships with my friendly cohort members, so that we can come to lean on each other and support each other's work towards our respective missions,” says Mezera, who will be mentored by Chris Stephens, president and CEO of Horizon Healthcare Partners.

Mezera graduated from Brown University in 2013 with a B.A. in Religious Studies and Public Policy. He serves on the Board of Directors of SER Jobs for Progress Rhode Island and is Executive Vice President of Young Democrats of Rhode Island.

Carole Ann Penney

The Providence resident is Director of Operations at the  R.I. Council for the Humanities (RICH), which seeds, supports, and strengthens public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement. Since 1973, the RICH has awarded over $7.4 million in grants to support more than 550 organizations and individuals throughout the state of Rhode Island.

"Through participation in the Emerging Leaders Program, I hope to deepen my skill set as a leader and director of operations in the areas of finance, performance management, and human resources. I also hope to connect with a network of emerging leaders and mentors who are interested in learning from, motivating, and inspiring each other to improve the future of leadership in Rhode Island,” says Penney, who will be mentored by ..

A graduate of Brown University with a B.A. in Education Studies, Penney is founder and President of the R.I Modern Quilt Guild and a certified Professional Life Coach.

Vimala Phongsavanh

The Woonsocket resident is director of programs for the Center for Southeast Asians.  Established in 1987, the Center for Southeast Asians (CSEA) promotes the prosperity, heritage and leadership of Southeast Asians in Rhode Island. Phongsavanh was chair of the Woonsocket School Committee.

“I hope to sharpen my skills in coalition building and advocacy. With these skills, I hope to build strategic partnerships that embrace system level changes and racial equity,” said Phongsavanh, who will be mentored by Fred Ordoñez, executive director of Direct Action for Rights and Equality .

A 2008 graduate of Providence College, Phongsavanh served as chair of the Woonsocket School Committee and has received many honors including the

YWCA of Northern Rhode Island, New Leaders Council and Rhode Island After School Plus Alliance.

Marlon Ramdehal

The Providence resident is Site Leader of Year Up in Rhode Island. Year Up’s mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education.

"This program will afford me the opportunity to become a more effective leader, teacher, coach and mentor to members of my team and the student population I serve. Moreover, I am confident that more lives will be impacted, and positive and more constructive decisions will be made,” says Ramdehal, who will be mentored by various consultants and nonprofit executives.

A graduate of Wheaton College with a B.A. in Physchology, Ramdehal received Year Up’s Core Value Award for Engaging and Embracing Diversity last year.

Bill Watterson

The Providence resident is Executive Director of Beat the Streets Providence, which launches scholastic wrestling teams in order to inspire urban and youth and provide them with the resources they need in the after-school setting.

"I hope that the Emerging Leaders Program will help me grow Beat the Streets Providence right and guide it towards the future in which it will make the most difference in the lives of Providence youth,” says Watterson. He will be mentored by Angelo Garcia, headmaster of the Segue Institute for Learning.

Watterson attends Brown University, where he was C.V. Starr Social Entrepreneurship Fellow and received the Derek Canfield Barker Prize at the Swearer Center for Public Service.

Xong Yang

Yang is Program Director for Social Services at the Center for Southeast Asians (CEA). Established in 1987, CSEA promotes the prosperity, heritage and leadership of Southeast Asians in Rhode Island.

“I hope to improve my management skills and gain tools to become more knowledgeable about my role within the nonprofit sector. I am looking forward to working with my mentor to look at new and challenging areas for and develop work plans to exercise and sharpen my abilities,” says Yang, who will be mentored by Sunshine Menezes, executive director of the Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting.

Yang is a graduate of Providence College and earned a Master of Social Work at Rhode Island College.