United Way of Rhode Island today announced the appointment of a new Board Chair and the election of four new members to its Board of Directors. Together, they bring valuable expertise, perspective, and a shared dedication to advancing the organization’s mission. Their leadership will help drive United Way’s ‘Strong Rhode Island’ strategy to build a stronger Ocean State through investments in Strong Families and Strong Nonprofits.
 
Appointed to lead the board is Yahaira “Jay” Placencia, succeeding Paola Fernandez, who successfully completed her term on June 17, 2026. Joining the United Way Board of Directors for three-year terms are Sandra Cano, Patrick Crowley, James Peluso, and Donald Wiseman.
 
“Rhode Islanders are navigating increasingly complex challenges, from housing affordability to the rising cost of food, utilities and other essentials, and these issues are deeply interconnected with workforce and financial stability,” said Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of RI. “To create the lasting impact we want to see, we rely on strong, engaged leadership. These exceptional community leaders bring exactly that to the table, along with an unwavering commitment to service.”
 
Sandra Cano is the Executive Director for Presidential Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships at the University of Rhode Island, leading initiatives that strengthen collaboration among academia, industry, government, and community to advance workforce and economic growth. She is a seasoned leader in public policy and government affairs, and has held senior roles across higher education, financial services, and government. Her public service includes serving as a RI State Senator, and Pawtucket City Council member. Along with her professional responsibilities, Sandra serves on the Rhode Island Board of Education and is active in the community. She earned a Master of Public Administration from URI and holds executive education credentials from the Harvard Kennedy School. Sandra lives in Pawtucket with her family.
 
As the president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, Patrick Crowley has a long history of representing working Rhode Islanders and advocating for policies that strengthen the state’s workforce and economy. With nearly 30 years of service to the labor movement, Pat has held leadership roles with the Teamsters, SEIU, and NEA Rhode Island. He is a co-founder of Climate Jobs Rhode Island, a coalition of labor, environmental, and community partners working to advance a sustainable economy. Pat actively serves on several boards, including Delta Dental of RI and Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. He holds master’s degrees in Labor Studies and History, and is an avid hiker. He and his wife have three adult children and live in Saylesville.

James Peluso is SVP and Chief Information Officer for Centerville Bank, where he leads technology, governance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives. An experienced executive, James has led large-scale portfolio management and enterprise technology programs in corporate, higher education, and consumer-focused environments. Throughout his career, he has managed global teams, and driven cloud modernization and next-generation digital solutions. Recognized for fostering innovation and leading organizational change, James is passionate about collaborative leadership and leveraging emerging technologies to create impact and value for organizations and the communities they serve. James is a resident of Barrington.
 
Donald Wiseman has served as Chief Executive Officer of Teknor Apex since September 2023, bringing decades of leadership experience in the plastics and advanced materials industry. Prior to coming to Rhode Island and joining the company, he served as CEO of Star Plastics, and previously held senior roles with PolyOne and Cabot Microelectronics. Since joining Teknor Apex, Donald has led initiatives to strengthen the company’s position in sustainable materials and long-term growth, including key investments and partnerships that expand its capabilities. He is proud to lead a company that began as a small Rhode Island venture nearly 100 years ago and has grown into one of the world’s leading custom compounders, crediting its people and culture for its success. Donald is a resident of Cranston.