Child & Family is a private, nonprofit organization working every day to help the most vulnerable children, families, and seniors across Rhode Island since 1866. 
Our mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and the communities in which they live by identifying needs and utilizing best practices. 

Agency Leadership Team

MARTY SINNOTT

MARTY SINNOTT

President & Chief Executive Officer

Marty Sinnott has served as CEO of Child & Family since 2014. He began his career in 1978 while still a student at the University of Chicago where he earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees. “What pulled me into this work was a deep sense of two things. The first was that we had a broken and poorly led child welfare system. The second thing that struck me was how youth who had experienced incredible trauma and adversity were so resilient and full of potential. Trying to fix the system while making a difference in people’s lives is what has inspired and motivated me in the ensuing 46 years”. Working in both the public and private sectors, Marty has worked in multiple states and Latin America, having served as CEO in four organizations for the past 32 years.

As he approaches the winter season of his career Marty says “I have been so fortunate to work with so many wonderful people here at Child & Family and throughout my career. The system is still not fixed but strengthening families through evidence-based programs and improved basic human needs like housing and health care, is slowly moving us in the right direction. We need to move faster. My wife Janet, three spectacular kids and their partners, along with three incredible grandkids make this stage of my life pretty cool.”

ROBERT ARCHER

ROBERT ARCHER

Vice President of Performance and Quality Improvement, Early Education, and Aging Well at Child & Family

Robert B. Archer, Ed. D., MSW, LICSW is currently the Vice President of Performance and Quality Improvement, Early Education, and Aging Well at Child & Family where he has worked in several leadership roles for the past 15 years. Rob currently oversees the Early Childhood Care and Education and the Aging Well programs as well as the Performance and Quality Improvement Department at Child and Family. Rob participates in several Statewide Initiatives and has provided leadership Statewide in his work with at-risk Children and Families for 40 years specializing in home-based services for children and families across the lifespan. Rob earned a Master’s in Social Work Degree from Rhode Island College in 1992, was Independently Licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in 1994, and earned a Doctorate in Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2006. Rob works across programs to help front-line and program leaders develop their skills and knowledge to have the greatest impact on families.
DANA DIMARCO

DANA DIMARCO

Vice President of Development & Communications

Dana DiMarco is a mission-driven philanthropy and marketing professional with a proven track record in the nonprofit sector and a deep commitment to social justice.

With over 25 years of experience, Dana has worked with national, international, and regional nonprofit organizations, bringing expertise in fundraising, analytics, and community engagement.

Before joining Child & Family Rhode Island, Dana managed a capital campaign for the National Women’s Hall of Fame as part of her work with CCS Fundraising. Prior to that, she served as a Solutions Engineer in fundraising analytics at Blackbaud, Inc., where she collaborated with leading nonprofits—including Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and the ACLU—leveraging data science to refine and strengthen their philanthropic strategies.

In her role at Child & Family, Dana focuses on strengthening the intersection of community engagement, fund development, and messaging to enhance awareness and funding for the organization’s mission.

Dana calls Warwick, Rhode Island home.

FERNANDO "FRED" BARBOSA

FERNANDO "FRED" BARBOSA

Senior Director of Permanency

 
Fred Barbosa came to Child & Family as a trained Licensed clinical social worker, starting his career in the Massachusetts Child Welfare system where he worked for ten years in direct service, Foster care and Child Protective services. Fred later transitioned to the Health Care field where he worked for well over 23 years. His work in an Acute care setting led him to demonstrate his ability as an effective organizational leader to grow a Pediatric social work service line in an integrated behavioral health care setting.

Fred brings his experience both in child Welfare and Children behavioral health to his current position as Child and Family’s Senior Director of Permanency with direct oversight of the Treatment Foster care program and residential services programs.

LEE ANN CLIFT

LEE ANN CLIFT

Vice President of Finance

 
Lee Anne Clift joined the Child & Family Leadership Team in November 2024, bringing with her 29 years of finance experience from Lifespan, including the last four years as Director of Finance at Gateway Healthcare, Inc.

She holds an MBA from Bryant University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rhode Island College, where she met her husband of 30 years. Together, they raised their three sons in the neighborhood surrounding RIC.

Lee Anne is passionate about giving back to the community. She has been actively involved in her sons’ Boy Scout Troop, served as Treasurer and later President of the St. Augustine’s Home & School Association, and helped coach the Track & Cross-Country team at St. Augustine’s School.

JESSIE DREW, LMHC

JESSIE DREW, LMHC

Director of Evidence Based Family Preservation Programs

Jessie Drew is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Rhode Island, dedicated to supporting adolescents and families through evidence-based care.

Jessie earned her B.S. in Psychology from High Point University and went on to complete a Master’s in Holistic Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Salve Regina University. For the past ten years, Jessie has worked in child welfare and evidence-based practices, gaining extensive experience engaging difficult-to-engage youth and their families across various settings, including hospitals, residential facilities, and home-based programs.

As Director of Evidence-Based Family Preservation Programs at Child & Family, Jessie provides clinical oversight to staff delivering home- and community-based care for families facing challenges related to mental health, social determinants of health, juvenile justice, and child welfare involvement. The programs under her leadership include Family Centered Treatment, Family Centered Treatment – Recovery, Functional Family Therapy, Functional Family Therapy – Gang, and Circle of Parents.

Jessie brings a deep passion for working with adolescents and families, ensuring they receive the support and resources needed to build stronger, healthier futures.

NATASHA GORDON

NATASHA GORDON

Director of Residential Programs

Natasha Gordon, Director of Residential Programs at Child & Family, has been with the agency since 2017. She began her career in human services as a Caseworker with the Family Stabilization Program, and in 2018 transition to Residential Services where she became Program Manager of our Semi-Independent and Independent Living Programs. Natasha has remained in Residential Services as both programs have expanded in capacity and have grown to include Independent Living for Pregnant and Parenting Teens, Supportive Housing, and Home Stabilization.

Natasha has a background in retail management and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami and a Master of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. In addition to serving others through her role at Child & Family, Natasha is also a pastor of a local congregation. Natasha is most passionate about serving others and supporting her team to help meet the needs of the clients and families we serve.

KIM SIHAVONG

KIM SIHAVONG

Director of People & Culture

Kim Sihavong is an accomplished human resources leader with over 15 years of experience across diverse industries, including healthcare, education, and non-profit sectors.

Currently serving as Senior Director of People & Culture at Child & Family, Kim is a key member of the organization’s leadership team. She specializes in strategic HR management, employee engagement, and operational process improvements, driving efficiency and fostering a culture of transparency and innovation. With advanced degrees in labor relations and human resources from the University of Rhode Island, along with her SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications, Kimberly is passionate about leveraging her knowledge to build inclusive, people-first cultures. She is dedicated to aligning employees with organizational values and empowering teams to drive meaningful change.

GABRIEL SODEN

GABRIEL SODEN

Senior Director of Family Preservation Programs

Gabriel Soden, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Family Preservation Programs at Child & Family, overseeing a range of critical services including Family Centered Treatment, Family Centered Treatment – Recovery, Functional Family Therapy, Functional Family Therapy – Gang, the Family Stabilization Program, the Family Care Community Partnership (FCCP), and Circle of Parents.

Dr. Soden has dedicated her career to the nonprofit sector, taking on clinical, supervisory, and administrative roles that have strengthened her expertise in leadership. Before joining Child & Family, she served as Co-Director of Child Services at Brookline Community Mental Health Center, a provider of mental health care and community-based social services in Massachusetts.

She is passionate about strengths-based clinical approaches and evidence-based treatments, incorporating CBT, ACT, DBT, systems-based, and psychodynamic modalities in her work with children, adolescents, and adults in both individual and group therapy settings.

Beyond her professional work, Dr. Soden is deeply committed to service, volunteering with foster youth and at an animal rescue organization in her free time.

Considering A Career In Human Services?

Whether you want to begin a career in human service or are ready for the next step in your career path, we have opportunities for you. Learn more about employment or volunteering at Child & Family.

JESS KENNEDY

JESS KENNEDY

Chair

Jess Kennedy joined the Child & Family Board of Directors at the start of 2020. A Florida native, she was voted most likely to succeed in her graduating class. Jess, a graduate of the University of Florida with a law degree from Florida State University, is a real estate law expert and the co-founder and General Counsel/CCO of Beeline, a fintech lender, based in Middletown. Jess has held a number of senior leadership and committee positions in the private practice and the business community. Her past volunteer experience includes guardian ad litem work for children under state care in Florida.  Jess and her family live in Portsmouth.

PATRICIA HOLLIDAY

PATRICIA HOLLIDAY

Vice Chair

Patricia Holliday held the position of Vice President of Human Resources on Child & Family’s Agency Leadership Team for many years. She has always had a passion for the mission of Child & Family and hopes to continue to support the agency as a Board of Directors member. She is now a Global Talent Management and Human Resources Executive with an accomplished history in the private for-profit & public service industry. She is a skilled leader knowledgeable in all aspects of HR and DE required to capably manage a global HR team. A deeply committed Human Resources professional proud to support the good we do for employees and the strategic role we play for the businesses.

LEONARD G RAMOS JR

LEONARD G RAMOS JR

Treasurer

Leonard Ramos joined the Child & Family Board of Directors in June 2021. Mr. Ramos is the Audit Director and Senior Vice President at Bank of America. He has been working in the banking industry for over 20 years. He received his degree from Providence College and began his career at Tides Family Services as a Caseworker and worked part-time at the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket where he assisted the At-Risk Youth in Central Falls and Pawtucket. He has served on various committees and boards throughout his career. Mr. Ramos has always had a strong interest in giving back to the community.
ANDREW GALVIN

ANDREW GALVIN

Board Secretary

Andrew joined the Child & Family Board of Directors in June 2024. Andrew had a previous term on the Board from 2015 to 2021. Andrew is a Senior Vice President at CBRE, Inc. He has been working in the commercial real estate industry for approximately 20 years. He received his degree from Fairfield University and currently serves on various committees and boards throughout the State of Rhode Island. Andrew is a lifelong Aquidneck Islander and has always had a strong interest in giving back to the community.

 

KRISTINE HENDRICKSON

KRISTINE HENDRICKSON

Kristine Hendrickson joined the Child & Family Board of Directors in November 2019. Ms. Hendrickson is the Associate Vice President, University Relations and Chief Communications Officer for Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. Ms. Hendrickson received a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and a master’s degree from Universiteit van Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Her professional background includes work in broadcast production and reporting, conferences and special events, sponsorships and promotions.  She has served as an adjunct faculty member at both Salve Regina University and the University of Rhode Island and is the advisor to Salve Regina’s student dance organization, SRU Dance. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and PRSA Southeastern New England, and also volunteers her time with the Newport Gulls, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), and other local organizations. She was inducted into the Newport Gulls Hall of Fame in 2019.
SIOBHAN KITS VAN HEYNINGEN

SIOBHAN KITS VAN HEYNINGEN

Siobhan Kits van Heyningen is a Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at BankNewport. She and her husband moved to Newport, RI, shortly before the COVID-19 Pandemic started. Now that Ms. van Heyningen owns a home in Newport, she is looking for more opportunities to get involved and contribute to the local community. She is particularly drawn to Child & Family’s programs for children and teens, and its focus on ensuring that the most vulnerable in our community have access to a safe housing, counseling, and treatment. Ms. van Heyningen has an MBA from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree from Yale University.
LAMEL MOORE

LAMEL MOORE

Lamel J. Moore has previously worked in Child & Family’s Residential Program. He currently serves as the Community Connections & partnership Liaison for the Pawtucket School Department. Previously Mr. Moore has served as the Executive Director/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Webster – Dudley and as Executive Director of the Greater Providence YMCA Providence Branch. Outside of work, Lamel serves as a board member for Aids Care Ocean State (ACOS) and is a regional volunteer in Sigma Pi Fraternity, Intl. He also enjoys competing in Crossfit competitions, spending time with his wife and daughter, and competing in local homebrew competitions. Lamel is also a recent graduate of the Leadership Rhode Island (Rho II) Class.
CHRISTOPHER S OTTIANO

CHRISTOPHER S OTTIANO

Dr. Christopher S. Ottiano is a general surgeon in Johnston, Rhode Island, and is affiliated with Newport Hospital. He also serves as the Medical Director at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island and was recently interviewed by the Providence Business News to discuss the history, data, and details related to the “Give Me a Boost!” pediatric car safety seat program at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. He graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine and is a resident of Middletown, RI.
KERRY PARENT

KERRY PARENT

Kerry Parent currently serves as the Head of HR & Talent at People’s Credit Union. With over 20 years of experience in Human Resources leadership, she is responsible for furthering the Credit Union’s strategic business goals through talent and performance management, learning and development, payroll and benefits administration, and compensation planning. Parent holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Merrimack College and is a certified executive strengths-based coach. Having started her career as an HR Director in the hospitality industry on Aquidneck Island, Parent partnered with Child & Family on several events. She is passionate about the mission to support and develop individuals and communities and is excited to be returning as a part of the board.

JAYNE PAWASAUSKAS

JAYNE PAWASAUSKAS

Jayne Pawasauskas, PharmD, BCPS  is a Clinical Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, with clinical affiliations at Kent Hospital in Warwick, Rhode Island, and Baxter Palliative Care in Wakefield, RI.  She serves as Chair of the College of Pharmacy Assessment Committee, ensuring achievement of programmatic learning outcomes for the Doctor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and graduate programs.  She is a currently a member of the Kent Hospital’s Institutional Review Board.  She also provides pharmacy consultative services to Baxter Palliative Care, a home-based palliative care medical practice that cares for patients with complex symptom management needs.  Her research activities have involved examining drug therapy approaches to (1) reduce opioid-related adverse events in hospitalized patient populations, (2) explore safe and effective analgesic strategies for nursing home residents, and (3) evaluate strategies to improve symptom management and medication-related challenges for palliative care patients in the home setting.  She is a past Chair of the Pain & Palliative Care Practice & Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

KELLY J. POWERS

KELLY J. POWERS

Kelly Power is the Director in the Center for Community Engagement and Service at Salve Regina University where she has spent over 18 years engaging students in the needs of the community. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Master’s degree in Higher Education from Springfield College. While she is new to the board, Kelly is an avid supporter of Child and Family. She has spent 4 years on the development committee and collectively her 4 boys participated for 10 years in the Sandpipers Early Learning Center childcare program. 

Kelly is excited to join the board and continue contributing to Child and Family on a deeper level. She also looks forward to working with and learning from like-mind professionals to strengthens the lives of Rhode Island Families.

KIM ROHM

KIM ROHM

Kim Rohm is an Assistant Vice President at Gatehouse Management, Inc., an industry leader in the development and management of affordable apartment communities. She earned a Graduate Certificate from Northeastern University in Project Management, a Bachelor of Music in voice performance from the University of Rhode Island, and studied voice at Boston University and New England Conservatory’s Extension Division. A passionate public-school advocate, she was a member of the East Side Public Education Coalition, the Providence Parent Advisory Council, and has served on the leadership team of the PTOs of her children’s elementary, middle and public schools. Kim is particularly interested in Child & Family’s supportive housing program. She is excited to join the Board and to contribute to Child & Family.