Speakers

Rachel Caruso is the Executive Director of the Ever Hope Center at Family Service of Rhode Island (FSRI), where she leads statewide efforts to support communities impacted by the recent mass violence events. With a background in crisis intervention, victim services, and law enforcement collaboration, she has extensive experience developing and managing innovative co-response programs that bridge social service and public safety systems.

Prior to her current role, Rachel served as the Director of Victim Services where she oversaw statewide GO TEAM® program operation and expansion, and strengthened partnerships with law enforcement, government agencies, and community organizations. Rachel has played a critical role in responding to high-impact incidents across Rhode Island. She served as the first mental health responder on scene at Brown University during a mass casualty event, coordinating with FSRI leadership for immediate support for students, faculty, families and first responders. She also played a key role in the Pawtucket response, contributing in both on the ground response and to the development of the subsequent community support. 

Rachel began her career providing direct services as a case manager and crisis responder, building a strong foundation in survivor advocacy, de-escalation, and trauma-informed care. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Roger Williams University and has completed advanced training in Crisis Intervention, Trauma-Informed Care, and Psychological First Aid. 

Allie Coutu serves as the Global Volunteer Partner at Collette. She coordinates employee volunteer events with nonprofit organizations in the communities that we live, work, and travel. She keeps track of employee volunteer hours and encourages staff to use their 4 hours of paid volunteer time per month.  

 

Angie Woodin serves as Manager of Community Investment & Philanthropy at Collette, leading the company's philanthropic giving and community partnerships through the Collette Foundation. She works closely with nonprofits and community leaders to invest in programs that strengthen communities locally and globally. Angie loves bringing people together around a shared purpose and connecting resources to causes that make a lasting difference.

Milagro brings more than two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector to her new role as Chief Executive Officer, including 12 years at Dorcas International, in client-facing programs, administrative and operational areas. As an immigrant, she has lived the experience that mirrors the journeys of many individuals and families whom we serve and understands firsthand the challenges, barriers and inequities our clients face, as well as their resilience and commitment to becoming a contributing member of their communities. 

Dr. Jackie White Hughto, PhD, MPH

Dr. Hughto is a Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Epidemiology at the Brown School of Public Health and Co-Lead of the Community and Engagement Outreach Core. As a social epidemiologist, Dr. Hughto uses community-engaged, mixed-method approaches to examine the individual, interpersonal, and structural drivers of health inequities, with a focus on the impact of stigma on the health of people who use drugs, sexual and gender minority populations and people living with HIV. Her research also includes the development and testing of biopsychosocial interventions to prevent and treat substance use disorders, HIV and poor mental health in diverse populations domestically and international.

 

Hilda Castillo, Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist

Hilda is the Community Engagement and OutreaCh Specialist at Advance RI-CTR and is an energetic people person and passionate advocate for the community. Hilda has extensive experience working with research projects at the School of Public Health and with community organizations across RI. She has a BA and is a certified medical translator (bilingual in English and Spanish). She has worked for Community Health Promotion for 18 years and is a trained focus group moderator. She recruits for focus groups with diverse populations. She also works on study subject and site recruitment, study retention and liaising with community partners.

 

Tammy Thorson, MS - Project Manager

Tammy is a Project Manager for the Community Engagement and Outreach Core at Advance RI-CTR. She brings extensive experience in project, program and event management across higher education, with expertise in academic operations, community engagement and DEI initiatives. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Higher Education Administration and is currently pursuing her PMP certification.

I am a proud South Providence resident of nearly ten years, licensed clinical social worker, dad and husband. Formerly a high school teacher and certified peer recovery coach, I work at Gateway Healthcare in Pawtucket as a bilingual mobile outreach clinician. I currently serve as the Chair of the Board of Nuestro Mundo Public Charter School. When I am not working or running for local office, I like reading books with my family on the beach.