For the 2023-2024 School Year, TAPA Board Meetings are:
September 12, 2023, 5-7pm at TAPA
November 14, 2023, 5-7pm at TAPA
February 13, 2024, 5-7pm at TAPA
April 9, 2024, 5-7pm at TAPA
June 11, 2024, 5-7pm at TAPA
Note: this schedule is subject to change. Final dates and agendas posted to the RI Secretary of State website.
Board Bylaws
September 12, 2023, 5-7pm at TAPA
November 14, 2023, 5-7pm at TAPA
February 13, 2024, 5-7pm at TAPA
April 9, 2024, 5-7pm at TAPA
June 11, 2024, 5-7pm at TAPA
Note: this schedule is subject to change. Final dates and agendas posted to the RI Secretary of State website.
Board Bylaws
TAPA Board Members 2023-2024
Sarah E. Whiting – President Larry Kellam – Treasurer Sandi Conners – Vice President Lily Chan-Bournes – Secretary
Ellen Foley (Education), Christopher Hoyt (Artist), Richardson Ogidan (Trinity Restoration Inc.),
Smaylin Reyes (Staff Representative), Ricky Strickler (Staff Representative), Leside Torres (Parent Representative),
Cristian Natareno (Student Representative, Upper School), Addison D'ambra (Student Representative, Lower School)
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), Christopher Hoyt (Artist), Richardson Ogidan (Trinity Restoration Inc.),
Smaylin Reyes (Staff Representative), Ricky Strickler (Staff Representative), Leside Torres (Parent Representative),
Cristian Natareno (Student Representative, Upper School), Addison D'ambra (Student Representative, Lower School)
TAPA Founders: Joyce Stevos and Richardson Ogidan
Lily Chan-Bournes, 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.
Sandi Connors, 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.
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.
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.
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, 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.