Meet our Speakers
Keynote
Angie Bannerman Ankoma, MPH, MSW
Vice President, Equity Leadership at Rhode Island Foundation
Angela Bannerman Ankoma Strategic Executive Leader with nearly 25 years of public policy and health policy experience. She leads the Equity Leadership Initiative, which is one aspect of the Foundation's broad, 3-year, $8.5 million plan to eliminate inequalities and racial disparities and promote inclusion.
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Angela has master's Degrees in both Public Health and Social Work from Columbia University and has varied experience in innovative program design, public policy, and building strategic cross-sector partnerships. She’s currently a Doctoral student at the University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Public Health. Angela is actively engaged in local community investment efforts.
Angela has served on the board of West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC) in Providence’s West End neighborhood, a community she has lived in for over 40 years. Angela is one of the founding members of WEHDC’s nationally recognized Sankofa Initiative. The Sankofa Initiative is a multimillion-dollar project that combines housing, a world market, and farms to improve health outcomes among Providences’ growing immigrant community.
Angela has also served on the Advisory Board of the Latino Policy Institute, Amos House, Community College of Rhode Island Foundation, and Leadership Rhode Island.
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
This year will feature panelists from a wide range of public health positions discussing their experience and best practices to advance health equity.
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Jennifer Latham
Evaluator/Principal Epidemiologist, HEZ Initiative, RIDOH
Jennifer is the Health Equity Zone (HEZ) Evaluator at RIDOH. She brings varied experience in epidemiological and medical research, evaluation, data analysis, and statistics. Jennifer completed undergraduate studies in biology at Boston College and graduate studies in applied statistics at Penn State University. She is currently enrolled at the Brown University School of Public Health with the goal of completing her MPH/PhD in Epidemiology.
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Her research spans various disciplines in medicine, epidemiology, and social sciences. Working in the HEZ initiative, she has gained a new focus and mindset for evaluation practice that aligns with the community-led, place-based vision of health equity by addressing social determinants of health at the community level. She truly enjoys the challenge of evaluating this innovative initiative and is honored to be part of the HEZ team supporting health equity in her home state of Rhode Island.
Lisa Kennedy
Tricounty Health Equity Zone director.
Lisa Kennedy is the HEZ Director at Tri-County Community Action Agency. With over 26 years of experience in community engagement in the non-profit sector, Lisa specializes in community health work and has dedicated her journey to fostering community collaboration toward advancing health equity.
For the past two years, Lisa has been the HEZ Director, working closely with community champions and partners to reduce health inequalities in Johnston, North Providence, and Smithfield. She has collaborated with organizations such as the Community Health Workers Association and attended HEZ learning events to enhance her understanding of advocating for marginalized communities and developing approaches to addressing health disparities among the Tri-County HEZ communities.
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Lina Roman, CCHW.
Bilingual Program Coordinator of the Community Health Worker Association of RI (CHWARI) & Rhode Island College.
Lina Roman is a dedicated advocate for the Hispanic community with a focus on preventing and managing chronic illnesses. With more than six years of experience as a CCHW in a complex care program, she assisted patients in addressing medical conditions and social needs.
Lina has also worked as a Bilingual Program Coordinator for the Community Health Workers Association of Rhode Island (CHWARI), and she leads a Latinx Support Group for CHWs in RI. She is committed to continuing her education and expanding her impact within the Hispanic community.
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Ambar Delgado, BA, CCHW.
Tobacco Free Rhode Island Network Manager, American Lung
Association of Rhode Island (ALA)
Ambar Delgado has a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico. In 2018, she relocated to Rhode Island after being accepted at Brown’s University Neuroscience Post-Bac Program. However, her innate passion for population-based interventions and moral duty led her to join the non-profit sector during the heightened of the SARS-19 while also working at night as a Neuroscience Research Assistant at Brown.
While fulfilling her duties as a Project Coordinator for the 02907 Health Equity Zone (HEZ), Ambar had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact and importance of Community Health Workers (CHWs) when delivering evidence-based approaches to increase Health Equity. The former has been what led her to become a certified CHW.
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During her time at West Elmwood Housing 02907 HEZ, Ms. Delgado had the opportunity to address a battery of socio-economic determinants of health, such as exacerbated asthma rates, indoor and outdoor air quality, housing and food insecurity, social and emotional resiliency, and health literacy among 02907 demographic.
Kevin McEnery, NRP - Lieutenant
EMS coordinator with the Narragansett Fire Dept and program coordinator of South County Mobile Integrated Health.
Kevin McEnery is an EMS coordinator with the Narragansett Fire Dept and program coordinator of South County Mobile Integrated Health, a regional community paramedicine program serving southern Rhode Island. Kevin started as a lifeguard and scuba diver. His passion for helping others led him to become an EMT and paramedic, working with healthcare and ambulance companies.
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Kevin is a dedicated EMS professional who actively works towards advancing EMS knowledge and securing funding opportunities to support departmental progress. He also organizes community events such as CPR classes, open houses, blood pressure checks, and Narcan distributions to promote community well-being.
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Kevin is a father of 3 who volunteers with the local youth program as a coach and program director. He is an avid scuba diver and runner. Kevin's career is marked by a love for water, dedication to emergency services, and a focus on community education. He makes a significant impact on the Narragansett community and emergency medical services.
Ryan Simko, NRP - Lieutenant
Firefighter/Paramedic, West Warwick Fire Department
Lieutenant Ryan Simko has 17 years of EMS experience, 14 of which have been with the West Warwick Fire Department. Ryan Serves as the Community Paramedicine/MIH Coordinator for the West Warwick Fire Department.
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He has had the privilege of being an EMS instructor at CCRI and coordinates West Warwick’s SWAT Medic Program. He is incredibly passionate about advancing the field of EMS and enhancing community health integration and innovation.
Megan Umbriano, BS, AEMT-C
Deputy Chief of the Rhode Island Department of Health's (RIDOH) Center for EMS.
Megan Umbriano is the Deputy Chief of the Rhode Island Department of Health's Center for EMS. She has worked in the fire and EMS field for over 18 years, starting as a junior firefighter at the North Scituate Fire Department and now serving as the North Scituate Fire Department's first female president.
She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Rhode Island in 2012 and subsequently completed a dietetic internship with Sodexo. She worked for ten years in a clinical nutrition
setting specializing in pediatric critical care and gastroenterology. Megan maintains an RI Dietitian license and works as a Pediatric Dietitian in a small private nutrition practice when not working at RIDOH.
Megan runs five grant projects at RIDOH, including the EMS for Children program and the Mobile Integrated Health-Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP) program. She serves as the Project Director for both programs, and in her free time, she enjoys gardening, skiing, and reading.
Marta Kryschuk, MS, AEMT-C
Mobile Integrated Health Project Manager and Data Manager for the Center of Emergency Medical Services (CEMS) at the Rhode Island Department of Health/EMS Lieutenant, Harmony Fire Department
Marta Kryschuk is the Project Manager and Data Manager for the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program at the Center of Emergency Medical Services (CEMS) in RIDOH.
Marta is a certified AEMT-Cardiac, ACLS, PALS, HandTevy, TECC, and Stop the Bleed Instructor. She is also one of the co-founders of the Children's Car Seat Safety Program in the town of Glocester. Marta continues to provide education and clinics as a nationally certified car-seat technician.
Marta holds a Bachelor's in Science in Biology with a focus in Psychology from Providence College. She conducted research in Genomics and studied Anthropology and Archeology in Greece, where she spent five months living abroad, exploring culture and history.
In 2020, Marta was accepted into Drexel University's College of Medicine Master's Program in pursuit of a Master of Science in Immunology and Infectious Disease. As she obtained her Master of Science, Marta simultaneously began the journey to obtain her Paramedic license – a program she is currently completing.
As part of her role at RIDOH, Marta assists MIH programs and oversees the use of data systems within EMS. She is a member of NASEMSO and participates in subcommittees for custom data elements and data managers council.
Danai Boone, MSW.
Program Manager, Diabetes Prevention Program, Rhode Island Department of Health.
Danai Boone is a social worker and a public health professional who leads the Diabetes Prevention Program at the Rhode Island Department of Health. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Rhode Island College and a Bachelor of Science degree from Bridgewater State University.
Danai has over a decade of experience in providing social services to various populations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including case management, in-home therapy, residential care, and school-based interventions. As the Diabetes Prevention Program Manager, she is responsible for implementing and evaluating evidence-based strategies to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes among Rhode Islanders. She is passionate about helping others and making meaningful connections with diverse communities.
She enjoys spending time with her five sisters and staying active through softball, volleyball, and dance.
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Erica Hanson.
Community Health Network Manager at the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Erica Hanson is the Community Health Network Manager at the Rhode Island Department of Health. She brings over 20 years of community health experience to RIDOH as the former Community Impact Director at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
As the Community Health Network Manager, Erica supports the work of the Center for Chronic Care and Disease Management and coordinates and promotes a variety of no-cost evidence-based lifestyle change programs available to Rhode Islanders.
Margaret DeVos, BA, MBA
Executive Director at Southside Community Land Trust
Margaret has served as the Executive Director of Southside Community Land Trust, a non-profit organization in Providence, RI, since June 2012. The organization provides access to land, education, and resources so people in Rhode Island can grow food in environmentally sustainable ways and create community food systems where locally produced, affordable, and healthy food is available to all.
Margaret’s background includes comprehensive community development in urban neighborhoods, non-profit real estate development and construction, sustainable building technologies, and micro-enterprise development. She has served as a senior-level, public sector, and non-profit manager. She has also succeeded as a small business owner. Formerly, Margaret served as Director of Special Projects at the Michigan Department of Human Services, Chief of Staff at Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and Vice President for Real Estate and Development at Mexicantown Community Development Corporation in Detroit.
Margaret holds a BA in Metropolitan Studies from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is a Leadership Rhode Island graduate and serves on the board of the Rhode Island Land Trust Council.
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Andrew Schiff, PhD
Chief Executive Officer at Rhode Island Community Food Bank
Andrew Schiff has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank in Providence since May 2007. Before joining the Food Bank, Andrew was Assistant Director at Project Bread – the Walk for Hunger, a statewide, anti-hunger organization in Massachusetts; Director of Professional Services at Jewish Family and Children’s Service in Boston; and Director of Mental Health at the Neponset Health Center in Dorchester Massachusetts. He attended Haverford College as an undergraduate and received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Emory University.
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Samuel Salganik
Executive Director of RIPIN
Sam is the Executive Director of RIPIN, a peer-led social services nonprofit that helps Rhode Islanders navigate special education, healthcare, and healthy aging. Being “peer-led” means that most of RIPIN’s staff and board are parents or caregivers to a loved one with a special need.
This model of hiring from the communities RIPIN serves made the CHW framework a perfect fit for the organization, and RIPIN now employs about 100 CHWs (who are either certified or on the path to certification) in a variety of roles and fields helping thousands of Rhode Islanders annually. Sam has a background in health law and policy and holds a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law and a B.A. from Brown University.
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Jennifer Cioffi
Clinical Transformation Project Administrator, Coastal Medical
Jennifer has worked at Coastal Medical for almost 4 years and works with our Practice Operations team and our Behavioral health team, which include our Community Health Workers.
Jennifer Benitez, MHA
Director of equity and place-based South Providence HEZ
Jennifer Benitez is a dedicated professional who serves as the director of equity and place-based initiatives at the South Providence Health Equity Zone within Family Service of Rhode Island. Holding a Master’s in Health Administration and a Bachelor’s in Health Promotion, Jennifer seamlessly integrates her academic expertise with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. Her mission is centered on fostering health equity in underserved communities.
Jennifer's impactful contributions are evident through her leadership in orchestrating numerous vaccination clinics across Rhode Island. These initiatives are crucial in ensuring that community members, particularly those in areas with low vaccination rates, have access to essential protection against illness.
Beyond her vaccination efforts, Jennifer brings valuable experience in maternal-child health, having served as a Nutritionist and Coordinator in the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program. She firmly believes in enhancing the quality of life across communities by expanding access to healthcare resources.
Jennifer's approach is characterized by collaboration, working closely with community organizations, partners, and residents to advance health equity. Her unwavering dedication underscores her commitment to creating a healthier and more equitable future for all.
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Donna Sennett, MAT, MEd
Lead CHW at Thundermist
Donna Sennett is a resident of Wakefield, Rhode Island, and has been serving Washington County for the past 20 years, originally as an Elementary School Principal in Matunuck and then as the Education and Training Manager for the Exeter Job Corps Academy. Following her work at EJCA, she served as an Outreach Case Manager for ten years in a community mental health center. Wanting to be able to work with patients drawing on her own lived experiences, Donna became trained as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, helping to open the Hope Recovery Center in Westerly through her work with the Parent Support Network. While there, she trained as a Certified Community Health Worker and is now a Lead CHW at Thundermist Health Center, where she continues to use her skills as a Peer Recovery Specialist daily.
Donna also serves on the RI Certification Board Board of Directors, where she is active in support of CPRS and CCHW training programs and for whom she assisted in updating the standards for CHW Certification. She also serves on the Galilee Mission Board of Directors, an organization that serves those struggling with addiction and co-occurring disorders.
Donna is the proud mother of two children and has been happily married for 33 years.
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Thea Upham, BS
Managing Director, Farm Fresh RI
Thea Upham moved to Providence in 2004 to attend Johnson & Wales University and graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurship with a concentration in Sociology. She has spent her entire career working with food in different capacities for non-profit and for-profit businesses and has always been mindful of linking her work to the larger local food system. She firmly believes that the decisions we make about what we eat and where it comes from can have great impacts on the health and welfare of our local community.
Thea spent 10 years as Programs Director at Farm Fresh Rhode Island, where she helped strengthen and expand community partnerships locally and regionally. She has spent 5 years implementing various nutrition education and Produce Prescription projects in partnership with local healthcare partners in Rhode Island and expanded the SNAP-Match Bonus Bucks program, which now issues over $280,000 in nutrition incentives statewide annually. She has a long history of community advocacy, serving on multiple Health Equity Zone committees, and is currently a board member for the Young Farmer Network of Southeastern New England and RI Food Policy Council, where she is able to use her business degree in combination with her work experience to support growers, food producers, and community members across Rhode Island.
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Julianne Stelmaszyk, MBA
Director of Food Strategy for the RI Commerce Corporation
Julianne joins the Commerce team with a decade of experience in the food and agriculture sector, working with schools, businesses, and institutions to address sustainability issues and increase regional procurement. Most recently, Julianne served as the Manager of Regional and Sustainable Food Systems for Boston College, where she launched an initiative to increase institutional procurement of regional food in support of the New England Food Vision and implemented sustainability strategies to improve the environmental and social impact of campus food services.
Prior to this role, she created workforce development strategies for EATALY, founded a farm-to-table cooking school in Italy, launched an edible education program for a high school in Rome, and worked as a harvest crew for small family farms throughout Massachusetts and Italy. Julianne holds a BA from Northeastern University in Environmental Studies and International Affairs and a Master of Business Administration from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management.
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Rachel Newman Greene, MA
Food Access & Nutrition Security Program Director, RI Food Policy Council
For nearly two decades, Rachel has been working with policymakers, community-based organizations, and underrepresented communities to increase equitable access to and control of the resources we need to live healthy lives.
Food policy and food equity have been strong threads throughout Rachel’s career, from developing and managing community gardens in Boston and Providence, serving as the founding member of Sankofa World Market in Providence’s West End, and most recently driving health policy and programs as Acting Director of the City of Providence’s Healthy Communities Officer. Rachel earned her MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and lives with her family on the South Side of Providence.
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Bethany Caputo, MBA
SNAP Administrator, RI Dept. of Human Services
Bethany Caputo serves as the Administrator of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at the Department of Human Services. She has an extensive background working on SNAP policy and over 12 years of experience in the DHS Policy Office. In 2011, she received her master's in business administration with a focus on organizational leadership. She is passionate about seeking out ways to improve program access and remove barriers for SNAP participants. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
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Marimir Lora
Community Outreach Advocates Supervisor, Providence Community Health Centers.
Marimir is the Community Outreach Advocate’s supervisor at Providence Community Health Centers (PCHC). She has worked in the CHW field since 2019, when she was recruited by PCHC and joined the first CHW apprenticeship program in RI. She was promoted to the Senior CHW position at PCHC in 2021 and later transitioned to supervisor of the community health worker team. She is a CHW board-certified with a specialty in Cardiovascular Health and Diabetes Endorsement and holds a bachelor’s degree in Organization Leadership and Change from College Unbound.
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Marimir was born and raised in The Dominican Republic and moved to the U.S. nine years ago. She was previously working as a Certified Nursing Assistant, taking care of predominantly Hispanic patients who were homebound and in need of support and services. That’s when she realized she needed to do more for her community based on what she had seen her patients experience, such as a lack of support, knowledge, and awareness of needs.
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She has worked with many Health Equity Zones to address socioeconomic and racial inequities, bringing personal and professional experiences to the discussion. She has participated in many events, such as the Unity Conference with the NACHW, bringing awareness to the impact of CHWs and the role they play in improving access to healthcare, helping connect support systems, and increasing access to social services.