OUR
STAFF
Laurie-Marie Pisciotta, Executive Director
Laurie comes to the Mental Health Association with 17 years of nonprofit experience and a passion for helping, inspiring and leading. She is driven by the core belief that we are meant to take care of each other, especially our most vulnerable. Laurie has served as a lobbyist and policy analyst for the ACLU; a case manager at AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts; a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the child welfare system; Treatment Access Program Manager at Project HEAL; and the Director of Strategic Partnerships at NeedyMeds. Laurie recovered from anorexia nervosa when she was 17 years old. She has also survived two severe episodes of clinical depression and lives with complex PTSD. In her spare time, Laurie enjoys creative writing projects, sewing, hiking, running, reading, yoga and baking vegan treats. Her favorite inspirational quote is: “What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is your candle.” ~ Rumi
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sandra Victorino, LCMHC– President
Peter Chung– Vice President
Robert Siminski, Ed.D. – Treasurer
Judith Fox , Esq. – Secretary
Lehidy Frias, M.A.
Maureen Apperson, RN, LCSW
H. Reed Cosper, Esq.
David Dove, Ph.D.
Ernestine G. Jennings, Ph.D.
Leonard Ramos, Jr.
CONSULTANTS
Karen Malcolm – Rhode Island Parity Initiative
Terence “Terry” Charles, Director of Community Engagement and Operations
Terry joins the Mental Health Association with over 25 years of non-profit experience as staff, board member and Board President. Terry is a graduate of Rhode Island College and has taken advanced level course work in Marketing and Sales. Throughout his career, Terry has strived to create meaningful relationships, serving on numerous RI boards that work with underserved and immigrant communities. He is the recent past Chairman of the Progreso Latino board, helping steer the organization to its strongest fiscal strength and broadest community reach. After being diagnosed with anxiety over 10 years ago, Terry is aware that good mental health is important to everyone, and access to effective mental health care is vital to a strong community. As Director of Community Engagement, he will endeavor to cultivate resources that strengthen the community. Terry resides in North Providence with his wife and enjoys playing competitive league tennis and traveling.
Michelle Miller, Development Manager
Michelle joined MHARI in 2023 with over two decades of experience in international marketing and nonprofit management. Previously, Michelle directed PepsiCo’s advertising campaign from Hong Kong and Shanghai and Reebok’s global marketing campaign from Madrid. She also led fundraising campaigns for NGOs focused on children’s welfare in China and human trafficking in Thailand. She was worked extensively with New England nonprofits on strategic planning and fund development. Having personally witnessed loves ones experience addiction and depression, Michelle has a deep sense of empathy for those struggling with mental health issues and a strong desire to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and provide resources. Michelle holds a master’s degree in education from Boston College and a bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies from Harvard University. She speaks Mandarin, French and Spanish and is writing her first novel. She lives in Providence with her daughter, Lara.
Francesca Raoelison, DEI Program Manager
Francesca is originally from Madagascar and is a graduate of Brown University. Drawing from her personal experience as a survivor of emotional abuse, Francesca founded Omena, a non-profit organization committed to breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma. Her vision is to create a world where every individual is loved, valued, and respected, regardless of their background. Francesca’s time at Brown showcased her passion for social entrepreneurship and innovation from Peer Entrepreneur at the Nelson Center to Social Innovation Fellow and Social Entrepreneurship teaching assistant, she consistently guided and mentored aspiring entrepreneurs and cultivated an environment of innovation and change. By joining MHARI, she continues to serve and uplift communities. In her free time, Francesca enjoys pursuing her artistic passions. Whether through singing or her active participation in outdoor activities like hiking, travels, beach visits, or biking, she embraces the beauty of the world around her and nurtures her own well-being.
