Christine McDermott

Executive Director, McAuley Ministries

Christine brings more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning business operations, communications and nonprofit governance to McAuley Ministries. A lifelong Rhode Islander and parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in West Warwick, she has been deeply engaged in the local community through both her professional and volunteer work. Her career chapters have included stints as Director of Sales, Marketing & Operations at Tri-Bro Manufacturing and Director of Publications at AAA Northeast. Her nonprofit leadership experience includes service as board chair of both Sojourner House and Higher Ground International. She is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Rhode Island and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northeastern University. She lives in Warwick with her husband, Michael, and sons, Logan and Jonah.

Scott Camirand

Retired Regional Manager, Amica 

Scott is a retired property and casualty insurance professional who spent his entire career with the Amica Insurance Company. Volunteerism has always been a priority for him in the form of filling varied leadership roles for several non-profit organizations. Scott graduated from Boston University with a BS in Business Administration and secured a Certificate in Leadership and Management from the University of Notre Dame. 

Judith Rametta

President, StarTrak Studios, Inc. 

Marketing/Communications, Business Operations 

Judy is an executive producer, educator, and longtime supporter of McAuley Ministries and its missions. She began her professional life as a journalist and copywriter, and for the past 30 years, works with her husband, John Rametta, to produce all types of audio-visual commercials and programs at their business, StarTrak Studios. Judy is also an adjunct professor of English at CT State Community College. Degrees: BS in Journalism from Boston University’s School of Public Communication and MA in English from The University of Rhode Island. 

Maura Legare

Director of Admissions and Marketing, Our Lady of Mercy School

Marketing and Communication 

Maura Legare is Director of Marketing and Communications at Our Lady of Mercy School in East Greenwich, RI.  A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Maura has a background in public relations, marketing, and development. She gained her professional experience while working in media relations at the Big East Conference headquarters in Providence in the 1990’s. While staying home to raise her three children she volunteered in various roles at OLM School while also volunteering on various committees and boards at Bishop Hendricken and LaSalle Academy, as well as the Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation. She has done freelance writing for local companies as well as East Greenwich News and is currently serving as a trustee and chair of the communications and development committee, and the mission committee for McAuley Ministries.

Meghan Hopkins

Associate, Nixon Peabody LLP 

Legal and Government Relations 

Meghan joined Nixon Peabody in the Fall of 2016 and is currently a member of the firm’s health care group and corporate practice.  Meghan represents health care and general corporate clients in various transactional, regulatory, and operational matters.  Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, Meghan spent a year clerking at the Rhode Island Supreme Court for now-retired Justice Gilbert Indeglia. This is Meghan’s first opportunity to serve on a board of a nonprofit and she looks forward to helping the McAuley Ministries further its missions. Degrees: BA from the University of Connecticut and JD from Roger Williams University School of Law 

Pamela Alarie

Human Resources Consultant; Retired Vice President of Human Resources for the Beacon Mutual Insurance Company

Pam is an executive level Human Resources consultant. Recently retired from The Beacon Mutual Insurance Company, Pam served as the Vice President of Human Resources for 22 years, and during that time she built and organized the company’s Human Resources Department. Pam partnered with the CEO, the Board of Directors and other company executives to develop and execute strategies, particularly those related to leadership, talent development, recruitment and staffing, benefits, compensation, employee relations, performance management and payroll. Prior to joining Beacon, Pam served as Human Resources Manager for AIPSO, the RI company that is assigned for the state’s risk market for automobile insurance. She also gained early human resources experience as a Training and Development Specialist at American Universal Insurance Group. Education: Business Communications from the University of Rhode Island and Certificate in Advanced Human Resources Management from Boston University & Northeast Human Resources Association.

Kirsten DiChiappari

VP, Customer Success – vCom Solutions

Marketing and Communications 

Kirsten heads Customer Success for vCom Solutions, an IT lifecycle management company. She previously worked in marketing consulting, including managing her own agency, and in Human Resources Management. Kirsten began community-focused work alongside her family in New Jersey and since then has worked with numerous non-profit organizations across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including the East Bay Chamber of Commerce, where she earned the Chamber Member Service Award. Kirsten resides with her family in Bristol. Degrees: BA from Providence College and MSM from Lesley University.

Barbara Hart

Retired SVP, Credit Risk – The Washington Trust Company 

Finance and Operations 

Barbara retired in January 2026 after 27+ years at The Washington Trust Company as SVP, Senior Credit Officer, where she managed Credit Risk.  Her work experience includes Commercial Lending, Credit Risk and all aspects of Risk Management. Prior to Washington Trust she was with Citizens Bank for 10 years. Barbara is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and holds a Finance and Management degree.  She previously held board positions at RI Historical Society and Leadership RI. She is a 2011 graduate (ETA II) of LRI.

Scott Grace

President, Garage Headquarters 

Facilities Management 

Scott is the owner and founder of several residential and commercial construction businesses including Garage Headquarters, Overhead Door of Providence and New Bedford, Specified Building Products, and DoorWall Corp. His volunteer experiences range from helping at the library and coaching in his hometown of Jamestown to supporting the Seabees and the Beavertail Lighthouse. Scott plans to serve McAuley’s missions and involve his three children in that service as well. 

Lynn Malloney, FCAS

Vice President, Amica

After graduating from Bryant University in 1997 with a degree in Applied Actuarial Mathematics, Lynn began her career as an Actuary in the P&C industry, later earning her Fellowship of the Casualty Actuarial Society.  Lynn joined Amica Mutual Insurance in Lincoln, RI in 2006, where she currently oversees a personal lines rating team, developing updated rating models built on new, predictive data sources. She also leads Amica’s Product Development Initiative under Corporate Strategy, guiding delivery of new and innovative products throughout the organization. Lynn enjoys golfing, travelling the world and spending time with beloved friends and family.

Jonathan Barrett

Chief Executive Officer, Bear IT Group

Information Technology

Jonathan opened Bear IT Group, an IT Services company, in July of 2023. As founder and CEO, he provides technology and consulting services to various clients throughout RI.  Jonathan is an Information Technology and Digital Solutions executive with over 25 years of financial services experience in information technology, marketing, and operations. His most recent experience came at Home Loan Investment Bank as Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Citizens Bank as a Sr. Technology Manager in the Contact Center and Digital Strategy groups. Mr. Barrett graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Management Science and Information Systems.  Jonathan has been a proud supporter of McAuley House for over 40 years, having participated in many activities with his father, Richard Barrett, who served in various roles to support McAuley Ministries throughout his life.

Kelly Villanueva

VP, Strategic HR Business Partnership & Employee Services – The Hanover Insurance Group
Human Resources

Kelly joined The Hanover Insurance Group in 2014 and is currently the Vice President of HR Strategic Business Partnership and Employee Services.  She is a member of Hanover’s senior leadership team.  Kelly and her business partnership team works closely with Corporate Group executives and senior leaders to elevate their organizations and the broader company through influencing and developing business area strategies, then translating those into talent solutions and operational capabilities.  Her Employee Services team focuses on delivering exceptional service and support to the entire organization across HR First Contact, Business Consulting and Employee Relations.  She is passionate about women’s development and has been committed to advancing this area both inside and outside of work for over 17+ years  She is a graduate of the LRI Sigma II 2022 class where her Leadership in Action LRI team worked closely with McAuley Village.  Kelly graduated summa cum laude from the University of Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Misty Delgado

Attorney, State of Rhode Island – DCYF

Amanda Grattan

Coordinator, Alumnae & Parent Engagement – 
St. Mary Academy – Bay View

Amanda has been a Mercy Associate for 2 years. She works on the Advancement team at her alma mater, St. Mary Academy – Bay View as the Coordinator of Alumnae & Parent Engagement. It was at St. Mary Academy – Bay View that she learned of the mission of Catherine MAuley. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Art and Film/Media from The University of Rhode Island and a Master’s Degree in Filmmaking from The London Film School.

Janet Johnson

Retired Senior National Account Manager, Coty Beauty US

Janet’s background is in sales and marketing. Retired from Coty Beauty US, she most recently directed the CoverGirl cosmetics business with CVS Health. Prior to that, she managed several other beauty brands, including Maybelline, Garnier, and Sally Hansen. In addition to her work with McAuley Ministries, she also volunteers as a wish granter with the Make A Wish Foundation of MA/RI. Janet is a graduate of Boston College with a BS in Marketing/ Management.

Veronicka Vega

Construction Management Coordinator, Providence Revolving Fund

Veronicka Vega is a first-generation graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelor’s degree in public health. She is currently the construction management coordinator at the Providence Revolving Fund, a CDFI that’s been serving Rhode Island for over 45 years. She sits on the Executive Board of Governor Daniel McKee’s Young Leaders Advisory Group, a volunteer group of civically engaged students and recent graduates that meet bi-weekly to discuss leadership, professional development, and civic engagement. She’s a graduate of the Women’s Policy Institute, College Leadership RI, and the RI League of Cities and Town’s Municipal Leadership Academy. Veronicka also sits on the board of Sojourner House and Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative.

Tarah Provencal

Director of Health Equity, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

Denis Vessella

Retired – Enterprise Risk Manager/Technical Analyst,

United Nations Federal Credit Union