Meet Our Board
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Rosemary Gribbin
Vice Chair & Officer of the Corporation
133 Prosser Trail Charlestown, RI 02813 - (401) 364-2021
Rosemary and her husband, John have lived in Charlestown since 1985. Rosemary worked for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center for 30 years, retiring as head of the Financial Analysis and Reporting Division. Upon her retirement, she was presented the meritorious civilian award, in recognition of her career accomplishments. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut as well as a Masters Degree from Salve Regina University. She is a member of the Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island, and volunteers her time at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center in the Ninigret Wildlife Refuge. She serves as the Vice Chair of SRI Volunteers and chairs the Marketing Outreach and Governance Committees. As if that were not enough, she also volunteers in SRI Volunteers' administrative offices providing general office support and researching and writing grant proposals.
Kara J. Scott, Esq.
Treasurer & Officer of the Corporation
P O Box 5338 Wakefield, RI 02880 - (401) 225-0400
Kara's career in law focuses on real estate law; she is currently with the Kenyon Law Associates firm in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Kara has a long history of service to the community. She is the current President of the Board of Directors for the Charlestown Chamber of Commerce. Kara is always in a leadership position with social agencies she volunteers her time for; she is a committed, courageous community organizer. Kara is chairing the Marketing Events Planning Committee as well as the Secretary for SRI Volunteers. Kara has two young sons.
Brian Ladeira
Director of the Corporation
22 Rodman Street Wakefield, RI 02879 - (401) 789-1503
Brian's passion of service to older citizens was what lead him to Southern Rhode Island Volunteers. He has been an active advocate for elder citizens for sometime. Additionally, Brian has a strong interest in community support which makes him an ideal Director for a community service agency. Brian has a history of service at the Pt. Judith Yacht Club where he held many offices including Commodore. He has an interest in bringing together various resources for the greater community good. Brian makes his home in Wakefield with his wife, Mary Ellen.
Willson Cummer
Director of the Corporation
283 Kenyon Avenue Wakefield, RI 02879 - (401) 789-3972
Will is a retired college professor, having taught at Cornell University and Rhode Island School of Design. He moved to Providence with his wife, Whitney in 1981 and then on to Wakefield 15 years ago. He has volunteered with SRIV for over ten years mostly as a Meals on Wheels driver/deliver. He enjoys serving his "clients" and is often led to making household repairs or garden pruning on their behalf. He has volunteered with the URI Watershed Watch for the past five years, taking water samples from a kayak on Narrow River. Recently he has begun serving as a mentor with Open Doors in Providence. Will enjoys practicing yoga, gardening and sailing.
Susan Stiles
Director of the Corporation
1223 Saugatucket Road A102 Peace Dale, RI 02879 - (401) 789-2871
No stranger to volunteerism and community organizing, Susan is a recently retired Episcopal priest. Susan's volunteer and social advocacy work includes working in the North Kingstown school system through the LINKS organization for a time. Prior to her ordination, she spent 7 years as a volunteer at the Rhode Island Medical Center providing pastoral care for patients. Later she helped to form the Rhode Island branch of Candlelighters, a support group for families dealing with pediatric cancer. An exciting opportunity to serve others was afforded Susan when she worked with the Amity Foundation for two years as an English teacher in China. She also served for two years as president of the Peace Dale Estates Resident's Association. Susan has a wonderful gift for envisioning not only social change but the direction necessary to achieve the social change. Susan has a wonderful humorous side, enjoys gardening, reading, travel and most importantly, people.
Victoria Vona
Director of the Corporation
10 Boulder Dr. Carolina, RI 02812 - (401) 539-0604
Victoria Vona moved to Richmond with her husband Michael in 2000 from Warwick. She is the mother of 4 boys and grandmother of 4 boys. Victoria is the treasurer for the Richmond Democratic Town Committee and a past-President of Southern Rhode Island Volunteers. Her professional career accomplishments include work as a librarian in Cranston for 10 years. She was crowned Mrs. Rhode Island International 2000. Victoria has volunteered her time to such wonderful organizations as the Million Mom March, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Boy Scouts of America, Adults of Retarded Citizens, Warwick Shelter for the Homeless, PTO board, events planner/coordinator and tutor in the Warwick School Systems. Victoria has also coordinated the Bikers for Babies event for thhe March of Dimes of RI. For a time, Victoria enjoyed mentoring in the East Greenwich schools. An avid community organizer and service volunteer, Victoria has planned many successful events including one of her favorites the Richmond Country Gardens tour. Victoria brings those many event planning skills to SRI Volunteer's Marketing Events Planning Committee.
Eleonora F. Burke
Honorary Board Member
124 Green Hill Avenue Green Hill Beach, Wakefield, RI 02879 (401) 783-4557
An Attorney at Law, member of the Massachusetts Bar, member of Worcester County Bar Association, having her own law office from 1936 to 1986, Eleonora decided 1986 was the time to retire. Eleonora served as a member of the leadership of Southern Rhode Island Volunteers during its Seniors Helping Others years on its Board of Directors for 3 years. She was active in the Town of Southborough where she resided. She served as Counsel for the Board of Selectmen and Town for 9 years, was elected Town Clerk serving for 10 years, was on the Council of Aging for 20 years, was on the Board of Trustees of the Marlborough Savings Bank for 19 years, served on the Town Committee to build an addition to the Library, served on a Committee to build a new Middle School, and was active in various other civic areas. Eleonora has been a summer resident at Green Hill Beach since 1949 changing that status to permanent resident since 1999. A tireless advocate for others, SRI Volunteers is proud to name Eleonora its first Honorary Director.
William Gates
Honorary Board Member
340 Woodruff Avenue Wakefield, RI 02879 - (401) 783-3111
Bill is a life long resident of South Kingstown and considers himself a moderate Swamp Yankee. He is a Graduate of Eaglebrook, Hebron and URI. A professional insurance person for 40-plus years, he founded and then operated The Gates Insurance Agency for 32 years. Over the years, Bill served the community on the South Kingstown Town Council, as Town moderator, as Deputy Chief of the Union Fire District, Commander of the South County Ambulance Corps, and as Vice Chair of the Town of South Kingstown Charter Commission. His many civic positions include past President of the South Kingstown Lions Club, past President of Greaater Rhode Island Private Industry Council, and the Regional Employment Training Council, member of the RI Human Resource Council, co-founder and past President of the Ram Par Club at URI, co-founder and Past President of the Galilee Mission, past Chair of the Lions Club Heritage Festival, past President on Southern Rhode Island Volunteers' Board of Directors for 3 years and he is a member of the Elks, Masons and the Shriners. He is the 2004 recipient of the Paul Harris Award. Retired, Bill enjoys wood working projects, gardening and golf as well as spending time with his family.
