Dr. Tammy Vargas Warner

BOARD CHAIR

Tammy brings to the IM board her passion for education and strong belief in the power that mentorship and positive classroom environments can have on the educational experiences of youth. She currently serves as the assistant commissioner for postsecondary academic and student affairs for the State of Rhode Island. Tammy brings over 19 years of higher education experience fueled by a passion for innovation and change and a focus on ways to improve pathways to college access and completion for BIPOC students. Tammy received her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She earned a B.S. and M.S. in human development from University of Rhode Island.

Margaret Koosa

Vice Chair

Margaret (Maggie) has been a member of the Board since March 2019. She holds degrees in mathematics and education. Maggie is a Financial Advisor and CEO of The Alchemists. Prior to her career in wealth management, she taught high school level mathematics for 12 years and worked at a local non-profit organization. She believes in the power of education and loves the mission of the organization.

James Wiley

Board member

James is VP, Product and Research at ListEdTech. Prior to joining ListEdTech, James was Principal Analyst at Eduventures Research, Encoura. Prior to Eduventures, James was Executive Vice President of Enterprise Services at the Center for Educational Leadership and Technology (CELT), where he led efforts to develop a network infrastructure redesign project for a Texas school district rollout of instructional tablets and to develop a statewide information security management system for over 400 school districts for the Massachusetts Department of Education. Before CELT, James successfully designed and managed over 15 large-scale education technology engagements, including the New York State Education Portal, the Rhode Island Department of Education Statewide Longitudinal Data System, and the Hawaii Enterprise Application Integration Solution projects. James has a wealth of experience in education technology and helping all stakeholders understand the steps required to successfully implement and manage enterprise systems. At Eduventures, James focuses on helping stakeholders understand the success criteria for technology and on ensuring alignment between their technology applications and organizational goals. James lives in Providence, Rhode Island and holds an MA and a BA in Classics from Cambridge University, a Certificat d’Enseignant in Sociology from L’Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris, and a BA in Philosophy, Greek and Latin from Lehman College, The City University of New York.

Wendy Wallance

Board Member

Wendy Wallace is the Director of Civic Engagement for Brown University, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s strategy around community engagement. She coordinates anchor resource initiatives such as supplier diversity and inclusive pathways, as well as college access programs and workforce development opportunities.

Before her time at Brown, Wendy managed the state’s largest career readiness initiative, PrepareRI, alongside the Governor’s Office, the Department of Labor and Training, the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, RI Commerce, and CCRI. She is a Career Coach and Educational Consultant, who has served over 600 clients.

As a native Rhode Islander, she deeply values being able to serve her community in various capacities. Wendy is also a wife, mother of two children, and an active faith community member. She is an avid reader and lover of music and quaint coffee shops.

Rothel De La Cruz

Board member

Rothel joined the Inspiring Minds Board of Directors in 2019 and currently serves as Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair for the organization. As an immigrant, a son of educators and a product of the Providence Public School District, Rothel has experienced firsthand the value of dedicated tutoring and mentoring as both a student and a volunteer. Rothel has worked for Citizens Bank for over 15 years. Currently, he serves as Vice President and Senior Manager of Capital Management. In his spare time, Rothel enjoys reading and occasionally playing guitar.

Lorraine N. Lalli

Board Member, Governance Committee-Chair

Lorraine Lalli is Associate Dean of Student Life and Operations at Roger William Law School in Bristol, RI. In this position, she works with senior university and law school administration to support law students in their academic, professional and personal goals. She is a member of the Admissions Committee and helps lead diversity and inclusion efforts as a member of the School of Law’s Diversity Strategic Plan Steering Committee. She previously served as the Law School’s inaugural Director of Diversity & Outreach.

Lorraine is a magna cum laude graduate of Spelman College and Roger Williams University School of Law. Lorraine is admitted to the state bars of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and practiced with Brown Rudnick, LLP in Boston before returning to her alma mater to direct diversity initiatives. In this role, Dean Lalli energized existing programs designed to improve the academic experience and success of students from diverse backgrounds.

Lorraine lives in Providence and is active in the local community. She volunteers regularly at Amos House and serves on the Board of Directors for the Mt. Hope Learning Center and One Neighborhood Builders. She previously served as a member of the Rhode Island Judicial Nominating Committee and as a member of the Providence School Board. She is an avid runner, completing five marathons.

Cendhi Arias Henry

Board member

Cendhi Arias Henry is a dynamic and innovative educator passionate about creating identify-safe and inclusive learning communities. With a sharp lens on equity and social justice, Cendhi ensures students and teachers have the tools to unpack biases, dismantle stereotypes, and build welcoming communities. She relishes the joyful, small moments that make a school feel like home. Cendhi focuses intently on respecting and celebrating the diverse identities, abilities, and dynamic families and students she cares for each year.

Dan Procaccini

Board member, Governance Committee

Dan joined the Board of Inspiring Minds in 2022 and serves on its Governance Committee. He is a shareholder with the law firm Adler, Pollock, & Sheehan P.C. and maintains a broad litigation practice representing clients in complex commercial disputes, product liability actions, intellectual property conflicts, land use contests, and constitutional challenges. He advises clients across a variety of industries, including product manufacturers, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, non-profits, and technology companies. Dan also maintains an active pro bono practice and has provided hundreds of hours of pro bono legal aid for non-profit arts organizations, incarcerated individuals, and low-income clients with urgent needs. He is a graduate of Loyola University Maryland and Boston College Law School.

Omar Reyes

Board member

Omar Reyes currently serves as the Director of Adult Programs and Student Success at the RI Office of the Post Secondary Commissioner. His role involves overseeing the development of programs and policies that assist Rhode Islanders in their pursuit of higher education. Omar has played a pivotal role in creating the RI Reconnect initiative, which supports low-income adult students who encounter obstacles beyond the classroom. He is also spearheading a community of practice that seeks to improve the education and workforce services provided to refugees and migrants in Rhode Island. Omar has a Bachelor’s degree in English from Roger Williams University and a Master’s in Youth Development from Rhode Island College.

Lauren J. Nance

Board member

Lauren J. Nance identifies herself as a Black & Indigenous woman who is a fierce advocate of all things that make life greater for her people. She is a native Providence resident. Professionally her career brought her to United Way of RI almost 4 years ago and she currently serves as a Program Officer in their Corporate Engagement Department. After working in corporate America for the majority of her adult life, her job at UWRI allows her to bring that knowledge to the Non (social) profit sector. In addition, Lauren also shares in the business operations of JustinCase Media, a multifaceted art and media business owned by her and her husband. Love is the driving force behind all that Lauren does. She finds her joy in the movement of her community. Lauren shares work with her friends and fellow freedom fighters through the support of KFM Leadership, a team of Black Providence community leaders.