Current RIASFAA Executive Board

2021- 2022

President: Melissa Donahue, RISD

President Elect: Donna Cournoyer, Salve Regina

Past President: Ellen Russo, Providence College

Vice President: Nancy Bessette, RIC

Treasurer: Jason Martin, Providence College

Secretary: Francesca Savella, JWU

RIASFAA BOARD EMAIL ADDRESS: riasfaa@riasfaa.org

To contact an officer directly, please click on the link of their title (above) to access the officer's email address

Leadership Structure

RIASFAA's Leadership consists of the Executive Board which includes President, President Elect, Past President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. 

The Association is also led by several committees.

The members of the Executive Board are elected based on nominations and votes submitted by the membership. Voting is conducted at the June conference and then sworn in. 

President- Elect (1 year total term)

• The President-Elect shall succeed as President at the end of his or her term as President-Elect, and serve as Past-President for the following year. Total commitment to be a 3 year term.
• Preside at all meetings of the Executive Council and of the Association and perform such other duties as pertain to the office of President.
• Assist the President with the activities of the Association.  In the absence of the President, the President-Elect shall assume the office of the President
• May attend the NASFAA Leadership Conference (typically scheduled in February) and enroll in the Association Management track (expenses paid by RIASFAA)
• Attend Summer EASFAA Council Meeting (typically scheduled for June and paid for by EASFAA) and provide quarterly RIASFAA updates through EASFAA website

President (1 year total term) 

• The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Council and of the Association and perform such other duties as pertain to the office of President.
• Oversees all committees and shall submit an annual report to the Association.
• Will review the RIASFAA by-laws for accuracy and reach out to by-laws committee for updates and approval if necessary
• Attend Fall and Winter EASFAA council meetings (typically scheduled for October and February and to be paid by EASFAA) and submit quarterly RIASFAA updates through EASFAA website
• Attend Spring EASFAA Conference (typically scheduled in May) as the RI Representative (to be paid by EASFAA)
• Serve as chair to the conference committee (along with Vice President)
• Present “Presidents’ Report” at RIASFAA Conference
• Manages Conference Budget (in coordination with Treasurer)
• Plan training opportunities twice per year 

Past- President (1 year total term)

• The Past President will assume the role of President if the President and the President-Elect are no longer available to serve
• Provide counsel and training to President using knowledge from previous year
• Attend EASFAA Council meetings if both President and President Elect are unavailable

Vice- President (2 year term)

• The Vice-President shall serve as a committee member to the annual RIASFAA conference
• Coordinates financial aid information nights for the State, as requested by schools within the state 
• The Vice-President is responsible for the invoicing for the Financial Aid Information Nights and ensuring the payment of the presenters.
• Assisting the President with other duties appropriate to the office

Secretary (2 year term)

• The Secretary shall be responsible for the records of the Association and of the Executive Council and perform such other duties appropriate to the office as the Executive Council may prescribe.
• Responsible for the recording of all minutes of all meetings of the Association and the Executive Council.
• Notify the members of the regular and special meetings of the Association at least ten (10) days prior to such meetings
• Responsible for updates to the website including yearly membership and committee updates
• Send out any RIASFAA communications from the President or other Executive Board members.

Treasurer (2 year term)

• The Treasurer shall be responsible for the billing and collection of all membership dues and for receiving and distributing all monies of the Association under policies approved by the Executive Council
• Ready whenever required to turn over to the Executive Council all monies, accounts, record books, papers, vouchers and other records pertaining to the office, and shall turn the same over to the successor when elected.
• May be bonded at the expense of the Association, the amount to be designated by the Executive Council.
• Shall submit a duly audited annual report to the Association.
• Required to be part of the Finance committee and will do a yearly budget review with other members of the committee.
• Check mailbox (during peak payment times)

Document Revised on August 27, 2019

Past RIASFAA Executive Boards

2020- 2021

President: Ellen Russo                                              President Elect: Melissa Donahue                                      Vice President: Matt Davis                                                Treasurer: Patricia Simonelli                                              Secretary: Francesca Savella

2019 - 2020

President: Anne McDermott                                              President Elect: Ellen Russo                                              Vice President: Matt Davis                                                Treasurer: Patricia Simonelli                                              Secretary: Francesca Savella

2018 - 2019

President: Anne McDermott                                              President Elect: Vacant                                                    Past President: Shannon Gallagher                                    Vice President: Grace Cruz                                                Treasurer: Joanna Nagelhout                                            Secretary: Melissa Donahue 

2017 - 2018

President: Shannon Gallagher                                            President Elect: Anne McDermott                                      Past President: Ed Maroney                                              Vice President:  Vacant                                                    Treasurer: Joanna Nagelhout                                            Secretary: Melissa Donahue 

2016 - 2017

President: Ed Maroney                                                      President Elect: Shannon Gallagher                                    Past President: Sandra Oliveira                                          Vice President: Monica Marcotrigiano                                  Treasurer: Stacey Pettella                                                  Secretary: Melissa Donahue 

2015 - 2016

President: Sandra Oliveira                                                President Elect: Ed Maroney                                              Past President: Ken Ferus                                                Vice President: Monica Marcotrigiano                                  Treasurer: Stacey Pettella                                                  Secretary: Melissa Donahue 

2014 - 2015

President:  Ken Ferus
President Elect: Sandra Oliveira
Past President:Anna Kelly 
Vice President: Vacant
Treasurer: Ed Maroney 
Secretary:Nelly Hoffens-Vargas

2013 - 2014

President:          Anna Kelly          
President Elect:   Ken Ferus      
Past President:   Gail Walker       
Vice President:    Vacant 
Treasurer:          Ed Maroney  
Secretary:   Nelly Hoffens-Vargas  

2012 - 2013

President:          Gail Walker         
President Elect:   Anna Kelly  
Past President:   Christine Jenkins         
Vice President:    Ken Ferus            
Treasurer:          Jennifer Dutch    
Secretary:   Keirsten Connors

2011 - 2012

President:          Christine Jenkins 
President Elect:   Gail Walker  
Past President:   Jennifer Cone        
Vice President:    Ken Ferus           
Treasurer:          Jennifer Dutch    
Secretary:     Keirsten Connors 

2010 - 2011

President:          Jennifer Cone     
President Elect:   Christine Jenkins  
Past President:   Diane Usher   
Vice President:    Allen Cowett       
Treasurer:          Jennifer Dutch      
Secretary:          Jim Olick             

2009 - 2010

President:          Diane Usher        
President Elect:   Jennifer Cone      
Vice President:    Allen Cowett        
Treasurer:          Jennifer Dutch   
Past President:   Andrea Swain       
Secretary:          Jim Olick              

2008 - 2009

President:          Andrea Swain        
President Elect:   Diane Usher
Past President:   Greg Silva             
Vice President:    Jennifer Cone      
Treasurer:          Noel Simpson    
Secretary:          Allen Cowett      

Past RIASFAA Presidents

2020-2021, Ellen Russo, Providence College

2018-2020, Anne McDermott, Salve Regina Univeristy

2017-2018, Shannon Gallagher, RISD

2016-2017, Edward Maroney, Bryant Univeristy

2015-2016, Sandra Oliveira, Providence College

2014-2015, Ken Ferus, Rhode Island College

2013-2014, Anna Kelly, New England Institute of Technology

2012-2013 Gail Walker, RISLA

2011-2012 Christine Jenkins, Community College of RI

2010-2011 Jennifer Cone, Salve Regina

2009-2010 Diane Usher, Roger Williams

2008-2009 Andrea Swain, Johnson & Wales

2007-2008 Greg Silva, Rhode Island Higher Ed

1995-1997 Dave Deblois

1993-1995 John Canning, Providence College

1991-1993 Lynn Fawthrop, Roger Williams University

1989-1991 Russ Woodward, Community College of RI

1987-1989 Herb D'Arcy, Providence College

1985-1987 Jean Eddy,  Johnson & Wales College

1983-1985 Herb D'Arcy, Providence College

1981-1983 Harry Amaral, University of Rhode Island

1979-1981 Alan Maynard, Brown University

1977-1979 Earle DeGraphenreid, University of RI

1975-1977 Fred Kenney, Bryant College

1973-1975 William Hurry, Rhode Island College

1971-1973 Rev John Person, Providence College

1969-1971 Thom Brown, Bryant College