Board Meetings are at TAPA on the second Tuesday of every month at 5pm.
For the 2021-2022 School Year, the meetings are:
Tuesday, August 10, 2021 Tuesday, September 14, 2021 Tuesday, October 12, 2021 Tuesday, November 9, 2021 Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 Tuesday, February 8, 2022 Tuesday, March 8, 2022 Tuesday, April 11, 2022 Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Tuesday, June 7, 2022 - Annual Meeting
Please note: this schedule is subject to change. Please see actual agenda posting on the RI Secretary of State website.
Board Bylaws
For the 2021-2022 School Year, the meetings are:
Tuesday, August 10, 2021 Tuesday, September 14, 2021 Tuesday, October 12, 2021 Tuesday, November 9, 2021 Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 Tuesday, February 8, 2022 Tuesday, March 8, 2022 Tuesday, April 11, 2022 Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Tuesday, June 7, 2022 - Annual Meeting
Please note: this schedule is subject to change. Please see actual agenda posting on the RI Secretary of State website.
Board Bylaws
TAPA Board Members 2021-2022
Dana Borelli-Murray – President Larry Kellam – Treasurer Sandi Conners – Vice President Lily Chan-Bournes – Secretary
Kalen Almeida (Staff Representative), Stanley Bleecker, Dr. Ronnesia Gaskins (leave of absence)
Christopher Hoyt (Artist), Mike Gore (Staff Representative), Anjel Newman (Artist; on temporary leave of absence),
Richardson Ogidan (Trinity Restoration Inc.), Leside Torres (Parent Representative), Sarah E. Whiting
TAPA Founders: Joyce Stevos and Richardson Ogidan
Dana Borelli-Murray – President Larry Kellam – Treasurer Sandi Conners – Vice President Lily Chan-Bournes – Secretary
Kalen Almeida (Staff Representative), Stanley Bleecker, Dr. Ronnesia Gaskins (leave of absence)
Christopher Hoyt (Artist), Mike Gore (Staff Representative), Anjel Newman (Artist; on temporary leave of absence),
Richardson Ogidan (Trinity Restoration Inc.), Leside Torres (Parent Representative), Sarah E. Whiting
TAPA Founders: Joyce Stevos and Richardson Ogidan
Dana Borrelli-Murray, President
Dana Borrelli-Murray is the executive director of the Highlander Institute, a nonprofit community of educators and professionals working to improve the educational experience of all learners. As the executive director, Borrelli-Murray is responsible for overseeing all areas of service and specialty within the institute, as well as strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational effectiveness. Before her role at the Highlander Institute, Borrelli-Murray worked as the director of expanded learning for Highlander Charter School in Providence, RI. She holds graduate degrees in anthropology and urban education policy. She is driven by issues of equity, student agency, and social justice, and is also a practicing musician with the Extraordinary Rendition Band.
Dana Borrelli-Murray is the executive director of the Highlander Institute, a nonprofit community of educators and professionals working to improve the educational experience of all learners. As the executive director, Borrelli-Murray is responsible for overseeing all areas of service and specialty within the institute, as well as strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational effectiveness. Before her role at the Highlander Institute, Borrelli-Murray worked as the director of expanded learning for Highlander Charter School in Providence, RI. She holds graduate degrees in anthropology and urban education policy. She is driven by issues of equity, student agency, and social justice, and is also a practicing musician with the Extraordinary Rendition Band.
Larry Kellam, 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.
Stanley Bleecker
Mr. Bleecker is a native Rhode Islander. After attended Classical High School he achieved his BS in Electrical Engineering and realized he wanted to be a lawyer. He went on to graduate from Boston University School of Law and ventured into Real Estate law as a Partner at Tillinghast, Collins & Graham and as an Independent Contract with Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company. As an active member of the community, Mr. Bleecker has served as VP for the Rhode Island Community Mediation Center, President of Alias Stage (now Gamm Theater) and Secretary of the Brown University / RISD Hillel Foundation to name a few. He is currently a volunteer at the Hamilton House Adult Learning Exchange.
Mr. Bleecker is a native Rhode Islander. After attended Classical High School he achieved his BS in Electrical Engineering and realized he wanted to be a lawyer. He went on to graduate from Boston University School of Law and ventured into Real Estate law as a Partner at Tillinghast, Collins & Graham and as an Independent Contract with Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company. As an active member of the community, Mr. Bleecker has served as VP for the Rhode Island Community Mediation Center, President of Alias Stage (now Gamm Theater) and Secretary of the Brown University / RISD Hillel Foundation to name a few. He is currently a volunteer at the Hamilton House Adult Learning Exchange.
Lily Chan-Bournes
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.
Sandi Connors
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.
Christopher Hoyt
Christopher is a professional theater scenic designer, mastering both the aesthetics and mechanics of scene design. In addition to his many stints as a production scene designer he has also taught both scenic design and costume design at several universities. His experiences as an assistant professor includes curriculum development, scene design, costume design, mechanical design and building of sets, lighting, and sound. Currently he is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Central Connecticut State University Christopher specializing in scenic and costume design. He is very community focused, having served on several committees as an advisor for fundraising and as an organizer. He and his wife have one child and lives in Providence.
Christopher is a professional theater scenic designer, mastering both the aesthetics and mechanics of scene design. In addition to his many stints as a production scene designer he has also taught both scenic design and costume design at several universities. His experiences as an assistant professor includes curriculum development, scene design, costume design, mechanical design and building of sets, lighting, and sound. Currently he is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Central Connecticut State University Christopher specializing in scenic and costume design. He is very community focused, having served on several committees as an advisor for fundraising and as an organizer. He and his wife have one child and lives in Providence.
Anjel Newman
In addition to being an artist and a member of TAPA’s Board, Anjel is AS220’s Youth Director and a program alumna. Anjel leads AS220 Youth programs, with a focus on innovative professional opportunities for young people, as well as evolving AS220 Youth into a national advocate and model for arts and juvenile justice reform in America. In her work, Anjel looks towards providing incarcerated and beyond-risk youth with even deeper artistic and mentorship experiences. Anjel is a proud mother of two and a practicing visual, digital and performing artist.
In addition to being an artist and a member of TAPA’s Board, Anjel is AS220’s Youth Director and a program alumna. Anjel leads AS220 Youth programs, with a focus on innovative professional opportunities for young people, as well as evolving AS220 Youth into a national advocate and model for arts and juvenile justice reform in America. In her work, Anjel looks towards providing incarcerated and beyond-risk youth with even deeper artistic and mentorship experiences. Anjel is a proud mother of two and a practicing visual, digital and performing artist.
Richardson Ogidan
Richardson Ogidan currently serves as Executive Director of Trinity Restoration, Inc. He has managed the daily operations and strategic developments of TRI since 2007. He has over 30 years’ experience in general business operations, information technologies, manufacturing and special expertise in integrating “green” technologies in non-profit real estate development and management. Among his community and other affiliations, Mr. Ogidan serves as a member of the Head Council of the Board of Trustees of Community Preparatory School, former Chairman of the Board of OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center) of Rhode Island, board member of SWAP (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property), and a trustee of Eko Club of Rhode Island.
Richardson Ogidan currently serves as Executive Director of Trinity Restoration, Inc. He has managed the daily operations and strategic developments of TRI since 2007. He has over 30 years’ experience in general business operations, information technologies, manufacturing and special expertise in integrating “green” technologies in non-profit real estate development and management. Among his community and other affiliations, Mr. Ogidan serves as a member of the Head Council of the Board of Trustees of Community Preparatory School, former Chairman of the Board of OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center) of Rhode Island, board member of SWAP (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property), and a trustee of Eko Club of Rhode Island.
Sarah E. Whiting
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.
