Appointed are Carolyn Belisle, Michelle Carr, Charles Carvalho, Paige Clausius Parks, and Sarah Latham
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.
Elected to three-year terms are Carolyn Belisle, Michelle Carr, Charles “Chachi” Carvalho, Paige Clausius Parks, and Sarah Latham. Additionally, the United Way board features new leadership with the appointment of Paola Fernandez as its chair. Fernandez, the SVP, Community Development Officer for Centreville Bank, last month succeeded Dolph Johnson, who successfully completed his term as chair.
“These are exciting times for United Way and for our state as we continue to advance the goals of our LIVE UNITED 2025 plan and efforts to create a thriving Rhode Island where everyone has equitable access to the opportunities that help them succeed in life,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s President & CEO. “It is an honor to welcome such a tremendous group of community leaders to our board – these are individuals who live our mission day in and day out.”
Carolyn Belisle is the Managing Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Blue Cross & Blue of Rhode Island. For more than 15 years, she has led BCBSRI’s efforts to leverage philanthropy, employee volunteerism, and strategic partnerships to address critical issues affecting Rhode Islanders’ health. Carolyn has a long history of community involvement, having served in a leadership capacity on boards that include American Heart Association, Big Sisters of Rhode Island, and Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island. Along with now serving on the United Way board, Carolyn is a member of the organization’s Community Impact Committee.
As the Executive Director of Leadership Rhode Island, Michelle Carr stewards talent and organizational development through thought leadership and strategic initiatives that help to foster a stronger, more resilient Rhode Island. Michelle is Cuban-American and a first generation college graduate who leans on her cross-cultural strengths to spearhead statewide initiatives and national networks among cross-sector leaders. She is widely regarded as one of Rhode Island’s most passionate champions for co-creating cultures of belonging that facilitate trust, increase engagement, and build community.
Charles “Chachi” Carvalho is the Chief Equity Officer for the City of Pawtucket and leads the city’s strategy to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Deeply embedded in his community, Chachi’s management and leadership experience are often cited as the qualities that set him apart as a youth advocate, in addition to his natural ability to connect with the next generation. Prior to his current role, he served as the school culture and community engagement coordinator at Shea High School. He also is a member of United Way’s Community Advisory Committee.
A robust supporter and advocate of the mission of United Way and its intersection with the work of the organization she leads, Paige Clausius Park is the Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. She assumed her current role in December 2022 and previously served as KIDS COUNT’s Senior Policy Analyst. Paige has expertise in policy analysis, research, advocacy, and project management in areas related to education and economic well-being.
Sarah Latham is currently the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration at Brown University. In this role, her areas of responsibility span finance and treasury functions, human resources, risk management, business operations, information technology, auxiliary services, and more. Sarah has spent the bulk of her professional career in higher education, and prior to Brown was the Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Services at UC Santa Cruz and also spent a decade at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, as its Vice President of Operations and Planning.
