For the 2024-2025 School Year, TAPA Board Meetings are from 5:30-7pm in person at TAPA on:
September 10, 2024
November 5, 2024
January 7, 2025
February 4, 2025
April 1, 2025
June 2025 - TAPA Annual Board Retreat, date TBD
Note: this schedule is subject to change. Final dates, agendas and online meeting links are posted to the RI Secretary of State website, https://opengov.sos.ri.gov/openmeetings
Board Bylaws
TAPA Board Guidebook - English
TAPA Board Guidebook - Spanish
September 10, 2024
November 5, 2024
January 7, 2025
February 4, 2025
April 1, 2025
June 2025 - TAPA Annual Board Retreat, date TBD
Note: this schedule is subject to change. Final dates, agendas and online meeting links are posted to the RI Secretary of State website, https://opengov.sos.ri.gov/openmeetings
Board Bylaws
TAPA Board Guidebook - English
TAPA Board Guidebook - Spanish
TAPA Board Members 2024-2025
Sarah E. Whiting – President Larry Kellam – Treasurer Sandi Conners – Vice President Lily Chan-Bournes – Secretary
Ellen Foley (Education), Dionne Gomez (Higher Ed), Mr. Mike (Staff Representative), Richardson Ogidan (Trinity Restoration Inc.),
Smaylin Reyes (Staff Representative), Mary Robbins (Education), Leside Torres (Parent Representative),
TAPA Founders: Joyce Stevos and Richardson Ogidan
Sarah E. Whiting – President Larry Kellam – Treasurer Sandi Conners – Vice President Lily Chan-Bournes – Secretary
Ellen Foley (Education), Dionne Gomez (Higher Ed), Mr. Mike (Staff Representative), Richardson Ogidan (Trinity Restoration Inc.),
Smaylin Reyes (Staff Representative), Mary Robbins (Education), Leside Torres (Parent Representative),
TAPA Founders: Joyce Stevos and Richardson Ogidan
TAPA Board Executive Committee
Sarah E. Whiting, President
Sarah E. Whiting is an experienced education policy professional and team leader with a passion for equity, innovation, and human potential. She applies systems-thinking and user-centered approaches to investigate challenges, analyze information, and build collaborative structures to explore and sustain change in the public sector. Sarah began her career in education as a teacher in New York City. She most recently served in the Office of Educator Quality and Certification Services at the Rhode Island Department of Education where she led efforts to support educator preparation programs in their continuous improvement efforts.
Sarah E. Whiting is an experienced education policy professional and team leader with a passion for equity, innovation, and human potential. She applies systems-thinking and user-centered approaches to investigate challenges, analyze information, and build collaborative structures to explore and sustain change in the public sector. Sarah began her career in education as a teacher in New York City. She most recently served in the Office of Educator Quality and Certification Services at the Rhode Island Department of Education where she led efforts to support educator preparation programs in their continuous improvement efforts.
Sandi Connors (she/her), Vice President
In love with words and the power of strategic communication, Sandi Connors has helped mission-based organizations reach their audiences for nearly 30 years. She is a member of the senior executive team at United Way of Rhode Island, where she leads strategic marketing and volunteer engagement. She was the voice of Moses Brown School for 17 years, where she built a strong creative team and served as a member of the Administrative Council. Among her early positions, she was with the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce in the late 80s and early 90s, where she had a front row seat to the City’s transformation. She grew up in Massachusetts as the youngest of six children, came to Rhode Island to attend Roger Williams University, and never looked back.
In love with words and the power of strategic communication, Sandi Connors has helped mission-based organizations reach their audiences for nearly 30 years. She is a member of the senior executive team at United Way of Rhode Island, where she leads strategic marketing and volunteer engagement. She was the voice of Moses Brown School for 17 years, where she built a strong creative team and served as a member of the Administrative Council. Among her early positions, she was with the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce in the late 80s and early 90s, where she had a front row seat to the City’s transformation. She grew up in Massachusetts as the youngest of six children, came to Rhode Island to attend Roger Williams University, and never looked back.
Larry Kellam (he/him), Treasurer
Mr. Kellam lives in Rumford RI, with Kurt, his partner. He is a Deacon at the Central Congregational Church on the East Side of Providence. He also teaches confirmation (to youth entering the 9th grade) and works with the Senior High Youth group. Mr. Kellam has a BS in Accounting from Johnson & Wales University. He is currently employed by Waters Technologies Corporation based in Milford MA, as the Director of Sales & Use Tax for the America’s. Prior to Waters, he held positions at EMC, BJ's Wholesales, American Tower, and Fleet Capital Leasing. His hobbies include cooking and working with our Youth Group at Central.
Mr. Kellam lives in Rumford RI, with Kurt, his partner. He is a Deacon at the Central Congregational Church on the East Side of Providence. He also teaches confirmation (to youth entering the 9th grade) and works with the Senior High Youth group. Mr. Kellam has a BS in Accounting from Johnson & Wales University. He is currently employed by Waters Technologies Corporation based in Milford MA, as the Director of Sales & Use Tax for the America’s. Prior to Waters, he held positions at EMC, BJ's Wholesales, American Tower, and Fleet Capital Leasing. His hobbies include cooking and working with our Youth Group at Central.
Lily Chan-Bournes (she/her), Secretary
Originally a native of New York City, Lily came to Rhode Island in 1989 to further her education and never left. She holds several degrees in different things which include, education, finance and marketing. She spent eighteen years working in non-profit organizations, eight of those years as a substance abuse counselor. The past nineteen years she has worked in pharmacy retail in a management capacity. This has allowed her the flexibility to raise her two children and watch them grow. Her daughter has given her two beautiful grandchildren to enjoy, and her son Aaron graduated from TAPA in 2019 as a Theatre Major. He is now a freshman at URI. Additionally Lily is the creator of a small baking business called, "Swift Edibles by Chan." The past 5 years Lily has battled a serious illness and finally, she is back to and hoping to bring awareness of Immunotherapy to Cancer patients.
Originally a native of New York City, Lily came to Rhode Island in 1989 to further her education and never left. She holds several degrees in different things which include, education, finance and marketing. She spent eighteen years working in non-profit organizations, eight of those years as a substance abuse counselor. The past nineteen years she has worked in pharmacy retail in a management capacity. This has allowed her the flexibility to raise her two children and watch them grow. Her daughter has given her two beautiful grandchildren to enjoy, and her son Aaron graduated from TAPA in 2019 as a Theatre Major. He is now a freshman at URI. Additionally Lily is the creator of a small baking business called, "Swift Edibles by Chan." The past 5 years Lily has battled a serious illness and finally, she is back to and hoping to bring awareness of Immunotherapy to Cancer patients.
