Board of Trustees

Jim Botvin, Chair

Jim Botvin, chair of the board of trustees and president of Colonial Toyota, is proud to be leading the board as The Providence Center moves in a dynamic direction. "The landscape of behavioral healthcare is everchanging. At The Providence Center, we consistently keep our clients' care and our mission as the focus as we strive to develop more flexible and innovative systems of care. Our commitment to quality, recovery, education, and the integration of behavioral and physical healthcare sets us apart."

Nancy Fisher Chudacoff, Esq., Vice Chair

Nancy Chudacoff, vice chair of the board of trustees, and an attorney and partner at Hardy, Tabor & Chudacoff, joined the board because she "wanted to be a part of an organization that reaches out to meet community needs. We have a diverse group of caring, compassionate employees and trustees who are committed to helping people with all types of mental health and substance abuse issues. The impact we have on people's lives is enormous."

Joel Stark, Treasurer

Joel Stark, treasurer of The Providence Center board of trustees, brings over 32 years of broad business and community experience to The Providence Center.  "I am impressed by The Providence Center's impact on so many lives and the variety of services and resources we offer." 

Patricia Cawley Affleck, Secretary

Patricia Cawley Affleck is secretary of The Providence Center board of trustees and program manager for the Rhode Island Department of Health, Division of Community, Family Health and Equity. As a former substance abuse treatment counselor and board member for ROAD Counseling Services, Affleck recognizes the significance our services have on those who struggle with addictions.  "The Providence Center is amazing!  At a time when the lack of funding compromises programs, we continue to offer services to as many people as possible." 

Donald R. Barbeau

Don Barbeau, President/Owner of Coffee Express, Ltd., is dedicated to The Providence Center’s mission. From providing clothing to the children we serve, to adopting families during the holiday season and generously supporting The Providence Center, Barbeau has been a staunch supporter of The Providence Center since 1993. Appointed to the board of trustees in 2010, Barbeau has taken his commitment one step further: “As a trustee I will work to strengthen our relationships in the community, raise awareness about our organization and help to fund our mission as I continue my work to help children and families at The Providence Center. It is an honor and privilege for me to serve on The Providence Center’s board.”

Marguerite Chadwick

Marguerite Chadwick, an artist and former psychiatric social worker believes that The Providence Center "does a wonderful job meeting community needs by providing excellent and comprehensive services to many individuals."

Linda M. Cohen, Esq.

Linda M. Cohen, a former banking and securities attorney and past chair of The Providence Center board of trustees, is impressed with The Providence Center's reputation in the community as well as its unique approach to treatment. "I hear over and over that The Providence Center's quality of care is first rate. We're so far ahead of the curve compared with treatment options available in the private sector.  The Providence Center offers a broad range of services to ensure that even our sickest clients can be successfully treated without being hospitalized.  We do everything possible to help those who have no other place to go."

Walter R. Craddock, Esq., CFP®

Walter Craddock, retired police chief for the City of Cranston and full-time lawyer practicing with Estate Planning Resources, joined the board because he wanted "to work with an organization that offered a broad base of services to a diverse group of people rather than an organization that focused on a narrow issue or a select clientele." Craddock also notes that "The Providence Center has been providing high quality crisis services for decades to a wide range of people in the community."

James O. Daley

James Daley, assistant general manager for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, joined the board of trustees because "Mental illness and substance abuse touches numerous families throughout American society.  The Providence Center has been instrumental in helping my family and many other families in Rhode Island.  As a board member, I am dedicated to working with The Providence Center's staff to help and strengthen the social fabric of Rhode Island."

Paul J. Kennedy

Paul J. Kennedy, former deputy to the Chief of Police, brings over 29 years of public service to The Providence Center’s board of trustees. Kennedy joined the board in 2007 in part because of the work that the Providence Police Department and The Providence Center do together at Kennedy Plaza. “Through one-on one 'real-time' trainings, The Providence Center teaches police officers how to help people with mental illness and substance abuse problems and address individuals who may exhibit aggressive behaviors.  The Providence Center and the Providence Police Department have a great partnership.  As a board member, I look forward to developing new ways for us to work together to serve our most vulnerable citizens.”

Ana P. Novais

Ana P. Novais joined the Board of Trustees in 2008. Among other responsibilities, Novais serves as the executive director of the Division of Community, Family Health and Equity for the Rhode Island Department of Health. Novais' dedication to Rhode Island families and communities and her experience helping culturally diverse communities throughout Rhode Island is complimentary to The Providence Center's mission. Novais joined the board with the conviction that "my experience and understanding of the health needs of Rhode Islanders and years of work in mental health and cultural competency can help The Providence Center to strengthen programs that serve the incredibly diverse communities in Providence and surrounding areas. Because I worked in mental health for more than 15 years, joining the board has been like coming home for me"

Claude-Anthony Pierre, M.D.

As a physician and executive director of a community organization for people with mental health needs, Dr. Claude Anthony Pierre, executive director of MHCA/ Oasis, has found that "The Providence Center is often the only available resource for many who struggle with mental illness and substance abuse issues. Once you become aware of the level of dedication and professionalism that exists at The Providence Center, it is very difficult not to nurture a desire to become part of the team. There is an absolutely magnificent cross section of individuals on the Board."

Jana M. Planka

Jana Planka, EVP-Retail Banking, at Coastway Community Bank, "wanted to be part of an organization that seeks to abolish the stigma of mental illness in the community while, at the same time, provides for the real, human needs of those people in our community who are afflicted by emotional and psychiatric illnesses."

Nicki Sahlin, Ph.D.

Nicki Sahlin, former executive director of Providence NAMI, joined the board because she was impressed with the services The Providence Center provided to her son. "The Providence Center was a revelation to me! The staff understood my son and his illness. He was treated like a human being not a 'schizophrenic'." Nicki has been a tireless advocate for both mental illness and The Providence Center because she "looks forward to the day when it will be as ordinary to have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder as it is to have diabetes or asthma.  All are difficult to manage and none should render you 'less than' anyone else."

Matthew Stark

Matthew Stark, director of policy and legislative affairs for the city of Providence, believes The Providence Center is a vital part of the community. “We help people to overcome many challenging issues and empower them to become independent, happy and productive. This helps them to become valuable members of society and contributes to the success of their communities,” said Stark. “I’m proud to be a part of that.”

Robert C. Wood, Sr.

Robert Wood, owner of Black Goose Antiques, feels honored to be serving on the board and working alongside staff to make The Providence Center even better. "I have been in recovery for 29 years.  I am very passionate about what The Providence Center does for people with addictions.  The people we serve are some of the most vulnerable in society.  As a board member, my colleagues and I are always exploring new, innovative ways to ensure that they receive exceptional care.  I am honored to be serving as a trustee.  My life and recovery have been enriched by this experience."