Board of Directors
Liz Catucci
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Liz Catucci was named President and CEO of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce in September of 2019 after previously serving as a board member since January of 2016. As President/CEO, Liz directs internal operations and is charged with carrying out the Chamber’s Mission. She develops external relationships to benefit the economy and community at the state and local levels. Liz also oversees the Chamber’s advocacy efforts at the State House for the Chamber.
Prior to this, Liz was the Director of Marketing and Business Development for PKF O’Connor Davies, a full-service certified public accounting and advisory firm.
Liz is very involved in the community serving on several non-profit boards which include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island, Delta Dental of Rhode Island, United Way Community Advisory Board and the Stadium Theater Foundation. She also serves as Chair of the Twin River Advisory Council and is the President of the Greater Providence Chapter of the Providence College Alumni Association. Ms. Catucci’s achievements were recognized by the Providence Business News as a recipient of the “40 Under Forty” award in 2018. Liz earned her BA from Providence College.
Patrick Crowley
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Pat Crowley is a union organizer with over 25 years of service in the labor movement. During that time, he has worked for the Teamsters, SEIU, NEA Rhode Island. He currently is the elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, representing 80,000 working women and men across Rhode Island. Pat holds master’s degrees in labor studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and in History from the University of Rhode Island. In 2021, Pat helped found Climate Jobs Rhode Island, a broad and growing coalition of labor, environmental, and community partners committed to a just transition to an equitable, pro-worker, pro-climate green economy. He also serves on the boards of several organizations, the Institute for Labor Studies and Research, the United Way of Rhode Island’s Community Advisory Board, the Rhode Island Center for Justice, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and the Museum of Work and Culture Foundation. In 2021, Pat published an essay in the scholarly journal “Rhode Island History” about workers organizing against racial discrimination in the workplace in Providence during WW2 and in 2022 published a book titled The Battle of the Gravestones and the Saylesville Massacre of 1934 about the 1934 general textile strike. In 2024 he will have a chapter in the forthcoming book published by The New Press called Power Lines Building a Labor–Climate Justice Movement.
A member of the AMC’s 4000 footers club, Pat enjoys hiking throughout New England, especially in Rhode Island’s own Lincoln Woods, of which he published an interactive map, found at ExploreLincolnWoods.Com. A father of three adult children, Pat lives in Saylesville, Rhode Island, with his wife Karen.
Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier
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Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier is a Senior Advisor for the Education Strategy Group (edstrategy.org). Most recently she was Rhode Island’s Postsecondary Commissioner from 2017-2019. She also worked for the Obama Administration as the Assistant Secretary of Career, Technical and Adult Education from 2009-2014 and or the last year was also the Acting Assistant Secretary of Postsecondary Education.
Dann-Messier coached state teams for the JPMC Career Readiness initiative from 2015-2017 and, for a decade, was the President of Dorcas Place Adult and Family Learning Center in Providence RI.
She is a board member of the National Skills Coalition, Re-Entry Campus Program and a Trustee of Johnson and Wales University.
Erin Donovan-Boyle
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Erin Donovan-Boyle’s attention to details, network of contacts and broad policy experience has led to her to her current position as the President & CEO of the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce. There, she has led the re-positioning of the organization to encompass a robust organization providing quality programming and events for members and regular advocacy for the broader business community, as well as the development of a regional economic development division focusing on business outreach, retention and attraction strategies for the region, and an entrepreneurship and innovation arm leading projects to further develop the regional ecosystem.
Prior to her work at the Chamber, she was Outreach Director for Rhode Island’s Senior Senator, Jack Reed in his Providence office. There she supported the Senator and his staff in direct outreach to organizations, municipalities, and businesses regarding local initiatives and the impact of federal programs and legislative policies.
Before her public service, Donovan-Boyle had her own company called Capital Resource Strategies, a consultant firm based on assisting companies, non-profit organizations, quasi-public agencies and municipalities with organizational development, project management, and identifying and seeking funding sources for various projects and programs. One of her largest projects was the Ocean State Tall Ships Festival 2012.
Since the beginning of Erin Donovan-Boyle’s career, she has been involved with many different types of clients with different policy initiatives and in various industries throughout Rhode Island. Issue areas include education, construction and historical renovation, tourism, public safety, defense-related industries, environmental clean-up, labor, health IT, long-term care, a regional Chamber of Commerce, trade organizations, municipalities, a university of higher education and non-profit organizations. Her primary focus has included policy advocacy, government relations efforts, politics, grant writing, project management, and business/organization development.
As Campaign Manager for a statewide political campaign to re-elect Rhode Island’s Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis in 2010, and also in her past position of eight years as the Vice President of the Mayforth Group, Donovan has continuously produced successful outcomes for her clients. At the Mayforth Group, a prominent government relations firm in Rhode Island, she was the individual who brought initiatives to completion, including organizing effective grassroots campaigns, completing legislative initiatives and obtaining millions of dollars from funding sources for their numerous clients.
Donovan-Boyle completed her Master of Science degree in Policy Studies from Edinburgh University in Scotland, UK in 2010 and also obtained a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island in 2008. An honors student at
Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, Donovan graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science and was named the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts 2011 Alumnus of the Year. She has also studied International Affairs in Oxford, England and French in Nice, France.
Donovan-Boyle was recently recognized as a Woman to Watch in 2019 by the Providence Business News. She is a RIPEC Trustee, RI Commodore, the past Chair of the Board of the New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and a member of the Rhode Island District Export Council. She also serves on Salve Regina University’s Graduate and Business Advisory Boards, the RI Commerce Corporation’s Wavemaker Fellow Advisory Committee, and Innovate Newport Board of Directors. Additionally, she was an elected member of the Smithfield School Committee for four years, and has also served on a number of other Executive Boards throughout her career.
Jason Macari
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Jason Macari is an experienced entrepreneur, senior leader, and business manager. He is President and CEO of Baby Delight, Inc. a juvenile products company; President & CEO of Macari Properties, Inc, a private real estate portfolio; and Proprietor of Phantom Farms and Phantom Farms Brewing.
Jason started his career in 1984 at Hasbro as a Project Engineer and then transitioned to BARD, Inc., in the role of Manufacturing Engineering Manager. In 1994 Jason took a position at Safety 1st, Inc. as Vice President of Product Development and General Manager, where he was responsible for all aspects of R&D, Engineering, Marketing, Quality, and Manufacturing.
In 2001, Jason purchased Summer Infant, Inc., a premium infant and juvenile products company with sales at approximately $1M. Jason led and developed the brand, product, customer relationships, and organization; and by 2007, sales reached $52M and EBITDA to $5M.
In 2007, Jason took Summer Infant public. He continued to grow the business to a peak of $267M in sales and $20M of EBITDA by 2011. This was accomplished through organic growth and acquisitions. Jason served as Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2013 and resigned in February 2014. Summer Infant was sold to Kids II in 2022.
Today, Jason is President & CEO of Baby Delight, Inc. He purchased Baby Delight in June 2016. The company is currently selling consumer products under the Baby Delight, Go With Me, Joovy, and Omada Golf brands. Major customers include Amazon, Target, Walmart, TJX, Burlington, Ross, Baby list, and direct to consumer.
Jason is President & CEO of Macari Properties, Inc. In 2007, he constructed the first Commercial Real Estate building for Summer Infant, Inc. and since then has acquired seven additional CRE properties accelerating the business in 2014 to include redevelopment of the Berkeley Mill circa 1872, a 230,000-square foot historic mill in Cumberland, Rhod Island with currently 500k+ square feet under management.
In 2022, Jason and his wife, Martha Anne, purchased Phantom Farms, a 15-acre apple orchard, café, bakery, and garden center located at 2920 Diamond Hill Road in Cumberland, Rhode Island; and most recently in 2024, Jason and his family opened Phantom Farms Brewing, a 10-barrel brewery and tap room located at 30 Martin Street in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
Jason holds a BS Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Business Administration from Bryant University.
He has been involved in many non-profits, including President of the Society of Plastics Engineers, United Way, March of Dimes, Women and Infants, Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association; and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mercymount Country Day School.Jason’s awards consist of Distinguished Alumni, Bryant University; Businessman of the Year, Providence Chamber of Commerce; Distinguished Alumni, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity; March of Dimes, First Candle.
Carol O’Donnell
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Carol O’Donnell owns and operates three successful small businesses in the construction industry. Founding CRM Modular Homes, now a well-known home builder based in Johnston, in 1989, Carol expanded into remodeling and property management in 2009 with Emerald Re-Construction and Emmy LLC.
Carol became an inspiration for women to enter the traditionally male-dominated construction industry. She has earned many leadership roles, with terms served on the International Code Council, as Vice Chair of the Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration Board, Rhode Island Lead Licensing, and the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review.
In the construction industry, Carol has served an unprecedented three terms as President of the Rhode Island Builders Association (RIBA). While President and Board Chair, Carol provided the direction and leadership RIBA needed through complex issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, statewide permitting process reforms, new wetlands regulations, environmental reforms, innovative industry training programs, and minority outreach initiatives.
Carol also has served as President of the Professional Women in Building Council, and Regional President of the National Association of Women in Construction.
Active in the community, Carol has been YMCA Coordinator for Rosie’s Girls, and builds for Habitat for Humanity in South County, as well as participating in other local educational and community-oriented initiatives.
As the winner of the Extraordinary Women Award, a successful executive, small business owner and strong economic advocate for her industry, Carol brings a balancing, innovated and intuitive perspective to the Rhode Island Commerce Board.
Donna M. Sams
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Donna Sams is Partner/Principal in two consulting firms. AWE offers training, consulting, and events programming that focuses on leadership, change, and connection. SpencerConsultingGroup specializes in strategic thinking, planning, and development of a flexible operating model for corporate, non-profit, and public sector organizations.
Donna was an Information Technology Executive in Fortune 50 companies and has over 30 years of organization development, change management and operations experience in several industries.
Donna serves on the boards of YearUp Providence, Sophia Academy, and Skills for Rhode Island Future. She is also a member of the Clark University President’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion.
Donna earned a BA from Clark University and a MS from Amridge University.
Bill Stone
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Bill is a business leadership consultant, with a focus on professional services businesses. Bill is an attorney and co-founded and led the creation and growth of Outside GC LLC an innovative, partner-only national legal services firm providing seasoned, former in-house general counsel to act as on-demand corporate and intellectual property counsel to start-up, venture capital-backed and mature companies. A graduate of Tufts University and Harvard Law School, and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, Bill is a regular lecturer at Brown University on start-up financing and venture capital. Bill has served on the Town Council and Planning Board of East Greenwich, RI and is a Director and Secretary of The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theater. Previously, Bill served as a Director and Officer of Rhode Island Public Radio, and was Chairman from 2016 – 2018.
William Tsonos
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Will serves as President & CEO of BankRI, a $3.5 billion Rhode Island bank and subsidiary of Brookline Bancorp. Tsonos is responsible for overseeing all areas of the Bank. With over 30 years of banking experience, he previously served as Director, Commercial Banking and was responsible for growing BankRI’s commercial loan portfolio and commercial deposits while maintaining strong credit quality.
Tsonos joined BankRI in 2006 as the Business Banking Department Head. Prior to that, he was a Senior Vice President for Middle Market Lending at Citizens Bank.
A resident of Woonsocket, Tsonos holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Bryant University. He is active in the community serving as Treasurer of the Miriam Hospital Foundation and a member of the Woonsocket Investment Board. He has served on numerous boards throughout the years, most notably, the Northern RI Boys & Girls Club and the United Way of RI.
Karl Wadensten
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Karl Wadensten is the President/CEO of VIBCO Vibrators, an industrial manufacturing company with offices in Rhode Island and Canada, and licensors in the United Kingdom and Australia. VIBCO serves over 360,000 customers worldwide.
Under Mr. Wadensten’s leadership, VIBCO has won numerous awards, including Providence Business News “Best Places to Work in Rhode Island,” Best Companies, the Progressive Manufacturing PM100 Award, and is a past winner of a Providence Business News Business Excellence Award.
Mr. Wadensten is a member of the National Speakers Bureau and a lecturer on culture change and Lean Operations. He is a member of the Lean Steering Committee for the Economic Development Council and was instrumental in bringing the Lean Culture to the State of Rhode Island. Governor Gina Raimondo visited VIBCO in April of 2015 at which time she signed the Executive Order to Implement Lean in Rhode Island Government.
Mr. Wadensten is on the Board of Roger Williams University. Since 1994 he has been an active member and frequent event champion of Young President’s Association (YPO). He is a current member of the Education Committee for the National Precast Concrete Association, has served on the MCGRI Board of Beacon Mutual, and has been a member of the Fundraising Committee for South County Hospital. Mr. Wadensten is Treasurer of the RI Commerce Corporation Board of Directors.
He graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in business and obtained his MBA at the Florida Institute of Technology. Says Mr. Wadensten. “Rhode Island’s economy is at a pivotal point and I want to bring Lean to the forefront of the conversation. I hope that my participation on the board means that CommerceRI will spend more time visiting actual places where work gets done. We have big challenges in Rhode Island, but there are thousands and thousands of great, creative minds in this state. We have the potential to do something really special here.”
Tracey Wiley
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Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Bally’s Corporation
Tracey Wiley currently serves as Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the enterprise. She joined Bally’s as a consultant, while working on projects in Virginia, in 2021. Based on the company’s continuing opportunity to engage diverse communities in the cities and states where they do business, her role became more integrated in the business strategy, and she assumed a permanent role in 2022 as Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Casinos & Resorts (NA). Prior to joining the team, Wiley had completed two consecutive gubernatorial appointments as the Director of the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Eager to roll up her sleeves when appointed in 2014 by Virginia’s 72nd Governor Terence R. McAuliffe, Wiley directed the merger of the former Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE) and Department of Business Assistance (DBA). The Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity was formed (SBSD). Her first order of business was to rally state buyers and Agency Heads to support the Governor’s initiative to increase utilization of small, women and minority (SWaM) owned businesses. McAuliffe’s Executive Order 20, signed in July of 2014, established a 42% goal in procuring state contracts. Under her leadership in FY 2016, the Commonwealth spent 37% or $2.4B (total discretionary spend, $5.5B) with SWaM businesses. An increase from 32% in prior years FY14 and FY15. The Commonwealth had an average annual discretionary budget of approximately $6 billion. Her time in state government coupled with the prior thirteen years in the non-profit arena supporting minority business development, illustrates her passion and continuing commitment to this work.
Wiley was reappointed in 2018 by the 73rd Governor, Ralph S. Northam to continue her work in positioning the new agency to support small, women and minority owned businesses (SWaM). Her leadership and SBSD’s role expanded at the onset of the COVID-19 health pandemic in 2020, when her team led efforts to assist small, women and minority owned businesses with accessing federal funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA)-- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). In the final months of 2020, she had oversight for the deployment of over $100 million in small business recovery grants to more than 3,000 Virginia small businesses. Wiley’s final major initiative included her work in the development and implementation of the Governor’s Executive Order 35 and her team’s completion of the Commonwealth’s Disparity Study. The ten-month study outlines recommendations that champion advancing contracting opportunities for women and minority owned businesses.
Wiley’s involvement in the community is well established. Currently, she is Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees for the Virginia/West Virginia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, where she is an MS Activist and a 25-year survivor. Wiley is the former Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Boston based non-profit organization, (www.Interise.org). Interise is a national organization promoting the delivery of capacity building programs for low income and disadvantaged businesses, specifically through the StreetWise MBA curriculum. She also serves as a Board Member for the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Advisory Board. In 2021, she joined the Board of Foodshed Capital, a CDFI that provides financial stewardship to local farms and food enterprises through the distribution of equitable, patient, and risk-tolerant capital, including funding to BIPOC farmers. Wiley also served on the Foundation Board for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
She is a Richmond, Virginia native who attended Richmond Public Schools (RPS) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from Old Dominion University. Wiley is also founder and CEO of Rainmaker Industries Group, LLC. The consultancy is a collection of her work to leverage relationships for the sole purpose of elevating communities of color and creating access to models that build generational wealth for a diverse people.
Industrial Recreational Building Authority (IRBA)
- Scott A. Gibbs
- Louis M. Amoriggi
- Rebeka Mazzone
- Christopher R. Alger
Rhode Island Industrial Facilities Corporation (RIIFC)
- Joseph Confessore
- Robert E. Donovan
Small Business Loan Fund Corporation (SBLFC)
- John “JR” Pagliarini
- Robinson Alston
- Amy Grzybowski
- Joseph Farmer
- Michele L. Forcino