People on the Move: McCormack to Head RI Arts Council, DesignxRI Names New Leader and More
Friday, July 08, 2022
GoLocal's People on the Move is an update on new hires and promotions across southern New England. If your organization has an announcement, email it to us at [email protected].
New Executive Director State’s Arts Agency
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Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) have announced Lynne McCormack of Cranston as Executive Director of RISCA.
“Throughout Lynne’s career, time and time again she has proven her passion and commitment to the arts and culture community in Providence, our state and nationally,” said McKee. “Under her leadership and with her experience, diligence, passion and consistency, our State’s Arts Council will continue to thrive and grow. On behalf of Rhode Island, I welcome Lynne to her new role.”
McCormack is a veteran arts, culture and community development leader having served as the National Program Director of Creative Placemaking for Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a national nonprofit community development financial institution that supports community development initiatives throughout the country.
Prior to joining LISC, McCormack was Director of Art, Culture + Tourism in the City of Providence, serving five mayors and taking charge of the city’s first comprehensive cultural plan in 2009. During her tenure with Providence, she forged partnerships throughout government that resulted in a summer youth workforce development program; planning and zoning policy changes and increased funding for artists; designers and organizations through CDBG, HUD, transit and economic development funds.
“I am thrilled to return to service to Rhode Island’s arts and culture community. I recognize the incredible work that the staff of RISCA has done throughout the pandemic, and it will be a pleasure to work alongside such a wonderful team. I am grateful to the Council and search committee for the community engaged and thoughtful process, which they used during the search,” said McCormack. “Rhode Island’s arts community is among the most diverse and connected in the nation. I am looking forward to serving Rhode Island in this leadership position.”
“On behalf of the State Arts Council, we are thrilled to welcome Lynne as the new Executive Director. After an exhaustive nationwide search, the search committee, which was made up primarily of members of the community, were so impressed with the work that Lynne has done nationally in assisting communities, especially those under-represented, through her work with LISC,” said Libby Slader, Chair of the State’s Arts Council. “Lynne's experience in the arts and especially her leadership centered on diversity, equity and inclusion make her the perfect person to assist the staff and the Council in executing the new strategic plan at RISCA.”
RISCA is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The agency provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders.
Brown to Head DesignxRI
DESIGNxRI announced that Ellie Brown has been appointed the new Executive Director of the organization.
An experienced nonprofit development professional, artist, photography and design educator, Brown will succeed Lisa Carnevale and assume responsibilities on July 7, 2022.
“This marks a new chapter in advancing DESIGNxRI’s vision to create a thriving design community rooted in purpose and equity. We’re excited to bring Ellie on board to build on the work of this past decade. Ellie’s leadership and management experience will steward the future of the design sector in Rhode Island," said DESIGNxRI Board President Nick Scappaticci.
Brown brings to DxRI decades of nonprofit and private sector experience from California to Rhode Island, including a track record in grant writing and fundraising as well as a critical commitment to social justice and DEIJ.
Attending and volunteering at DxRI events since 2016, Brown is positioned to hit the ground running and drive the future of the organization based on a strong understanding of the critical role DxRI plays in the state’s economy and fully ensconced in its member community.
“Stepping into Lisa’s shoes is no small feat. I am honored to take the dedication, love, community-building, and hard work she has put into DESIGNxRI and build from that strong foundation," said Brown. "I’m most looking forward to making the organization more inclusive to Rhode Island creatives who may not yet know that they are welcome in our community and getting to know the creatives that currently make our design community so strong.
“For years, DESIGNxRI has been growing thanks to a smart, engaging, and thoughtful staff, board, and community,” said Carnevale. “Ellie has been part of this community and brings a development and creative skill set that is valuable to our next chapter as an organization. I’m happy to be handing over the reins and excited to see how DESIGNxRI continues to grow under Ellie’s leadership.”
Roger Williams Park Zoo Names Two to the Board
Roger Williams Park Zoo has announced thatw two new members have joined the Rhode Island Zoological Society Board of Directors: Cheryl Cohen and Pamela W. Heffernan.
Cohen is the senior director of sales, marketing and public relations at the Dunkin Donuts Center and Rhode Island Convention Center. Her career spans over 40 years in the entertainment industry, including the Warwick Musical Theater, World Wrestling Entertainment and ASM Global. She is an active member of the community serving on several local boards including, the Rhode Island Sports Commission, The Bradley Hospital Board of Governors, the Moses Brown School Board of Trustees, and the Moses Brown Alumni Association Board. Cheryl spends much of her time outside the office with her beloved Great Dane Maddison. She also loves to travel, especially to exotic locations.
"I love the Zoo because it provides a wonderful opportunity for everyone to enjoy family time together and experience wildlife in such a caring environment for the animals," said Cohen.
Heffernan has brought leadership, management, technical and sales experience to the companies she has worked with over the past 40 years. She credits her leadership skills to her 14-year career with IBM Corporation, where her career moved quickly through a host of management positions.
She is past President of the Rhode Island Special Olympics, chairperson for the Hasbro Children's Hospital Gala, and served on the Board of Directors for Leadership Rhode Island. Pam is currently on the Board of Rhode Island PBS and serves on the Education Committee for Save the Bay.
"When my kids were young, the Zoo was a huge part of the family's time together; and is so again with the grandkids," said Heffrenan. "To be involved with Zoo now as a volunteer feels like a chance to give back to an organization that helped to create wonderful memories for so many years."
The 2022 Rhode Island Zoological Society Board of Directors now includes: Patrick T. Lebeau, Chair; Nancy Allen, Vice Chair; Sandra L. Coletta, Vice Chair; Margaret Ferguson, Secretary; Kristen Adamo, Treasurer; Martha Bower; Douglas Caniglia; Cheryl Cohen; Barbara S. Cottam; Sarah Denby; Dr. Marta Gomez-Chiarri; Pamela W. Heffernan; Kimberley M. Little; Liz Rollins Mauran; Jeffrey Mello; Howard Merten; John J. Palumbo; Steven M. Parente; Dr. Karen E. Silva; Maribeth Q. Williamson.
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