Our Members

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If you're interested in becoming a member or would simply like to request more information please contact us.

Chair

• Angela Lima has experience serving in various leadership positions. Locally, she was a council member for the city of Newport, where she helped manage a $200 million budget. Angela implemented policy changes that focused on gender equality, workers' rights, tax restructuring, and environmental investments, along with the necessary funding for these initiatives. Her work in policy and advocacy expanded to the state level when she became the Policy and Advocacy Program Director at the Women's Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) where she leads the Women's Policy Institute Leadership Training—a nine-month program focused on policy and advocacy at the state level. Angela has successfully assisted in running campaigns for both political offices and critical legislative issues, championing bills such as the Equality for Abortion Coverage, an extension of paid leave, the Fair Wage Act, and securing millions in funding at the state level to address educational gaps, transportation, and to pilot initiatives for small businesses. 

Vice Chair

• Susan Taylor has lived in Newport for nearly 20 years, after living and working in New York City and Seattle, where she was born. A lifelong Democrat, she has worked on civil rights cases with her husband and is semi-retired as an immigration lawyer. She taught at the Immigrant & Refugee Rights Clinic at the CUNY School of Law from 1999 to 2004. She served on the City Council from 2016 to 2020.

Secretary 

• A Newporter since 2020, Matt recently co-founded the Rhode Island Alliance of Braver Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to political depolarization. He has a deep commitment to community service and democratic engagement. He aims to inspire and facilitate increased participation among our youth in local political processes. As a software engineer he brings a robust set of technological skills to the NDCC's operations. 

Assistant Secretary  

• Michael is a Newport native, a graduate of Prout, and will be a senior at Yale University where he is studying Political Science. He is the Executive Director of Ocean State Ranked Choice Voting, and is currently a campaign consultant to State Senator Sam Bell and Representative Enrique Sanchez.

Treasurer  

• Rob has lived in Newport on Everett Street since 1990 with his wife, raising two children who went through Newport Public Schools. He recently retired from Bristol Community College where he focused on workforce development and training which he continues to do through consulting work. He is a lifelong Democrat and organizer having worked for the Service Employees International Union and in volunteer capacities on numerous local, statewide and national campaigns. 

Financial Secretary 

• Varina Gunn graduated from RHS and from Simmons College with a BS in Nutrition and Food Science. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and recently became a Certified Community Health Worker through a fellowship at the Newport Health Equity Zone. She is dedicated to improving health outcomes for people of color in this community.  She’s been a member of the NDCC for over fifteen years.

Cheryl Abney

Marvin Abney

Alicia Anthony

Mona Barbera

Rick Best

Ryan Patrick Kelley

Xay Khamsyvoravong

Meagan Landry

Angela Lima

Amy Machado

Maggie Martin

Kendra Muenter'

Ellen Pinnock

Stephanie Smyth

Susan Taylor

Margaret Baker 

Bill Cooper

Dawn Euer

Michael Garman

Matt Grant

Varina Gunn

Catherine Hillery

Michael Hussey, Ward Vice Chair

Charlie Laranjo

Jennifer Murray

Sean O'Connor

Sue Pashko

Jean Quinn

Mary Alice Smith

Gene Thompson-Grove

Rob Vitello

James I. Winters

Lauren Carson

Deanna Conheeny

Diana P. Crowley, Ward Chair

Heather DePinho

Alessandra Manning Dolnier

Kate Jessup

Mary F. Moniz

Cynthia O'Malley