Meet the RIHousing Leadership Team

Meet the Dedicated Team

Committed to expanding housing opportunities

Our experienced professionals and board members are dedicated to expanding housing opportunities in Rhode Island. Behind RIHousing’s mission to create affordable homes and stronger communities is a diverse team of leaders committed to innovation, accountability, and service. Together, they bring expertise from housing finance, policy, community development, and public service to help Rhode Islanders thrive.

Board of Commissioners

RIHousing is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners that provides policy direction, fiscal oversight, and strategic leadership. The Board’s commitment strengthens our mission and contributes to the well-being of thousands of Rhode Islanders.

Deborah J. Goddard
Deborah J. Goddard
Chairwoman, Secretary, Department of Housing (ex officio)
Thomas Verdi
Thomas Verdi
Interim Director, Department of Administration (ex officio)
James A. Diossa
James A. Diossa
General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island (ex officio)
Stephen McAllister
Stephen McAllister
Vice President, Eastern Region US Chamber of Commerce
Kevin Orth
Kevin Orth
Manager, Atlantic American Partners
Maria Barry
Maria Barry
Community Development Banking National Executive, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Calendar of Board Meetings

RIHousing Board meetings are open to the public. Stay informed by viewing upcoming meeting dates, agendas, and minutes.

Team Calander

Executive Leadership

Guided by vision and expertise, our leadership team drives programs and partnerships that make homeownership and housing stability possible for thousands of Rhode Islanders.

Carol Ventura
Carol Ventura
Executive Director

Carol Ventura was named Executive Director of RIHousing in September 2019. She has 30 years of experience in expanding access to housing, building livable communities and leading economic development efforts.

Carol led the finance group to successfully initiate and complete more than $284M in multi and single-family bonding with social and sustainable designations for the agency and led the agency 5-year strategic plan process, resulting in the creation of innovative programs targeted at controlling costs, increasing production and access, and improving agency and program performance.

Carol is a part of the LISC LAC Board, Commissioner for the Housing Resources Commission (HRC) and she serves on the NCSHA Homeownership Task Force, as well as a Trustee on the Providence Foundation Board. Carol received a Master of Business Administration from Bryant University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Bryant College.

Executive Team

James Comer
James Comer
Deputy Executive Director
Kara Lachapelle
Kara Lachapelle
Chief Financial Officer
Corinne Myers
Corinne Myers
General Counsel
Christine Hunsinger
Christine Hunsinger
Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer
Brett Pelletier
Brett Pelletier
Chief Administrative Officer
Benjamin Frost
Benjamin Frost
President of Proactive Development
Michael DiChiaro
Michael DiChiaro
Director of Leased Housing
& Rental Services
Amy Rainone
Amy Rainone
Director of Gov. Relations & Policy
Elizabeth Bioteau
Elizabeth Bioteau
Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships
Bernadette MacArthur
Bernadette MacArthur
Director of Finance
Nelia Kruger
Nelia Kruger
Director of Accounting
Whitley Werts
Whitley Werts
Chief Human Resources Officer
Leslie McKnight
Leslie McKnight
Assistant Deputy Director
of Loan Servicing
Terry Lehane
Terry Lehane
Director of Information Technology
Peter Pagonis
Peter Pagonis
Director of Homeownership
Melanie Brewer
Melanie Brewer
Director of Real
Estate Development

Join Our Mission

As a leading employer in our state, RIHousing offers competitive compensation and  benefits package designed to support the health, wellness and financial security of our employees and their families.
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Are you a Newport resident?

Check whether your current residence is located within an eligible census tract.

Newport-Census-Map

Only residents of census tract 405 are eligible for the FirstGenHomeRI pilot program.

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Central Falls 44007010900, 44007010800, 44007011100, 44007011000
Pawtucket 44007016000, 44007015300, 44007015100, 44007015200, 44007015500, 44007016600, 44007016700, 44007017000, 44007017100, 44007016100, 44007016400
Newport 44005040500, 44005041100
East Providence 44007010100, 44007010501

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