Diversity & Inclusion Professionals

About DAIP

Diversity, equity, and inclusion work can be lonely. So many professionals working in DEI and HR roles are without a team to turn to for advice, support, resources, and a safe space to share. DAIP aims to create that community, whether you work at a small nonprofit or a large corporation.

We welcome you to attend our events, gain new skills, and connect with like-minded individuals, whether you’re an experienced DEI leader or just beginning to learn about this important work.

Diversity and Inclusion Professionals (DAIP) is a 501c3 that offers timely educational programming, resources, and networking opportunities for professionals across sectors and industries. We operate based on the principle that diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial elements of business and community success.

We invite you to bring your unique perspective to your learning journey with DAIP.

Meet the Board

Executive Board

Kevin Matta

President

Vanessa Vigil

Vanessa Vigil

Vice President | Treasurer

Amanda Román

Amanda Román

Secretary

Committee Chairs

Board Members

Project Managers

Committee Members/Volunteers

Daphney Afolabi

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE​

Theresa Barzyk

Communications COMMITTEE​​

Shanna Ferguson​

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE​

Hannah Hansen

Grant COMMITTEE​

Kimberly Mittelsteadt

Grant COMMITTEE​

Shelley Peterson

Grant COMMITTEE​

Deb Wallace, PHR, SHRM-CP

Communications Committee

Kevin Matta

President

Kevin Matta  (he, him, his) is a strategic differentiator, comfortable challenging the status quo, and brings both passion and experience to ensure client success and human engagement with his brilliant ability to make connections.

Kevin’s interest in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work developed as he witnessed his parents encounter inequities and injustices while navigating the American healthcare and workplace landscape. His passion for this work continues to be strengthened by the systemic injustices people around the world continue to experience.

Kevin serves as president of DAIP’s board of directors.

Vanessa Vigil

Vanessa Vigil

Vice President & Treasurer

Vanessa Vigil (she/her/ella), a Providence native, is committed to strengthening her community and promoting equitable access to education and healthcare. 

With degrees in organizational leadership and healthcare leadership, and a background in non-profit management, Vanessa is a firm believer that education is a powerful tool for social change and is dedicated to advancing equity in all aspects of society. Vanessa serves on several boards of healthcare and community organizations. In addition, she spends much of her time exploring topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in the healthcare field.

Vanessa serves as vice president and treasurer of DAIP’s board of directors. 

Vanessa Vigil

Amanda Román

Secretary

Amanda Román (she, her, hers) understands that diversity, equity, and inclusion work isn’t easy and can be emotional, but she also knows it works when done with intention. 

Being a young Latina woman in an un-diverse community, Amanda didn’t always understand why her family was different – but she felt it in the way other people treated her. These feelings of “otherness” influenced her passions from a young age. She knew she wanted to open people’s eyes to inequity and, even better – create positive change.

Amanda serves as secretary of DAIP’s board of directors.

Jenny Bautista-Ravreby

Jenny Bautista-Ravreby (she, her, ella) has a passion for building and stewarding meaningful relationships across differences.

Jenny’s immigrant background, family, and culture brought her to diversity and inclusion work. She finds continuous inspiration to continue doing this important work for other marginalized communities. In doing so, she continues spreading education, awareness, empathy, and intentional action to continuously improve our world and how we treat each other.

Jenny chairs DAIP’s communications committee.

Gregory Brunson

Gregory Brunson (He/him/his) comes to DEI from a background in community outreach and business development. He brings his exceptional people and networking skills to making connections that foster inclusive cultures.

Greg’s lived experience as a BIPOC male equipped him to serve as a leader who prioritizes empowerment, psychological safety, and diversity. He finds purpose in supporting and uplifting BIPOC and other marginalized communities to take action in working towards anti-racism. 

Greg chairs the DAIP programming committee. 

Megan Begin, MBA, AIC, AINS

Megan Begin, MBA, AIC, AINS

Megan Begin (she/her/hers) is a lifelong advocate for others, and a steadfast believer in the potential every person brings to the table. She thrives in challenge, is eager for opportunities to connect and grow, and welcomes change in every form.

Growing up as the daughter of multi-racial parents, Megan knew what it felt like to not quite fit in. Her mother always encouraged her to look out for people who were being excluded, and invite them into the group. In addition to this spirit of inclusion, Megan also brings to her DEI work the belief that everyone has incredible potential—and they’re much more likely to succeed if they have people around them who believe in them, are willing to advocate for them, and who will help remove any roadblocks in their way. Megan strives to be that person for those around her.

Megan serves on DAIP’s communications committee.

Megan Begin, MBA, AIC, AINS
Sean Holley

Sean Holley

Sean Holley’s (he/him/his) career path has been centered around championing equal opportunities for all—through the lens of DEI, economic development, education, law, local government, workforce development, youth development, and more.

Sean is inspired and driven to DEI work because he feels that it’s the path to bettering ourselves as people, and a way to build better communities, workplaces, and a better society overall.

Sean serves DAIP’s programming committee. 

Sean Holley
Tyler Joseph

Tyler Joseph

Tyler Joseph (he/him/his) aims to create safe spaces for marginalized individuals to be their authentic selves, and believes that conversation and connection are powerful change agents that can expand perspectives and understanding. He enjoys mentoring youth, and is dedicated to uplifting the next generation of diverse leaders. 

Tyler became involved in DEI work after acknowledging the privileges within his own upbringing and work experiences. He recognized that as an educated person of color, he was in the position to not only motivate others, but also to create safe spaces for others to thrive. 

Tyler serves on DAIP’s board of directors. 

Tyler Joseph

Dr. Kevin Keith Martins

Dr. Kevin Keith Martins (he, him, his) is a first-generation Cape Verdean-American and lifelong Pawtucket resident.

Kevin recognizes that as a person with both privilege and marginalized identity, diversity and inclusion work is a calling to use his experiences, talents, and knowledge to improve the lives and experiences of others. To serve others is hard-wired in Kevin, which is why he has chosen to make it his profession.

Kevin serves on DAIP’s programs committee.

Andréa V. Ray MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP

Andréa Ray (she/her/hers) is a leader in the higher education space, and has nearly two decades of experience in Human Resources and DEIB. She is passionate about creating a diverse workforce, inclusive spaces, and equitable outcomes for employees and the communities she serves. 

Andréa chose to devote her professional path to creating ways to build opportunities for people from underserved communities—people that looked like her and had limited experiences—in order to help others gain access to opportunities and resources to grow, develop, and advance within the workforce. She’s committed to creating environments where employees feel empowered to contribute authentically towards the success of organizational goals. 

Andréa serves on DAIP’s board of directors. 

Milagro Sique

Milagro Sique

Milagro Sique (she/her/ella) is a non-profit executive and human resource professional with 15+ years of experience working with multi-diverse communities and a passion for helping people find their way to prosperity. 

As a person of color who primarily works with communities of color, Milagro wants to be part of solutions to the evolving challenges of today’s world. Milagro recognizes the critical need for leaders and organizations to get involved, lead change, and celebrate wins. 

Milagro serves on DAIP’s board of directors.

Milagro Sique
Katje Afonseca

Katje Afonseca

Katje Afonseca (she, her, hers) is a strategic thinker focusing on quality, innovation, growth, and sustainability. 

As the leader of a non-profit organization focusing on youth development, Katje ensures that she creates diverse and inclusive opportunities for young people in our community and the adults who work at her organization. Additionally, as the mother of two multiracial little girls, it is her mission to ensure that they grow up in a world where they are safe, included, and have equal and ample opportunities while being proud of their heritage.

Katje serves on DAIP’s advisory board. 

Katje Afonseca
Guillame Bagal

Guillaume Bagal

Guillaume Bagal  (he, him, his) has a strong track record for bringing about change, generating engagement, and creating programs that help diversity initiatives and organizations prosper.

Guillaume’s personal and societal induced hurt, shame, confusion, and loneliness made his venture from policy to DEI inevitable. What keeps Guillaume going, even on days when nothing feels real, is the hope that people are good deep inside and will eventually make the right call if they are given the space to learn and grow 

Guillaume serves on DAIP’s advisory board. 

Guillame Bagal

Adriana Dawson

Adriana Dawson (she/her/Ella) is an award-winning corporate executive in the business of people—who helps organizations achieve business success by skillfully engaging and connecting to their communities. 

As a first-generation professional, some of Adriana’s earliest memories involve acting as a translator for her family, as well as assisting other newly arrived Spanish-speaking families. These experiences taught her the power of community, connection, and speaking up for others. Today, she leverages her skills to continue the work on a larger scale to support greater societal impact and access. 

Adriana serves on DAIP’s advisory board.

Linda H. Newton

Linda H. Newton (she, her, hers) is a specialist in leadership development, culture change, and the strategic use of community relations and diversity.

Growing up during Jim Crow created Linda’s passion for work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The hope of realizing equity and inclusion for people of color motivates her to continue the work. 

Linda is the founder of Diversity and Inclusion Professionals (DAIP) and serves on DAIP’s advisory board.

Ramona Royal

Ramona Royal (she, her, hers) has been recognized for making meaningful advancements and identifying formal and informal barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ramona has always been deeply curious about other people’s experiences, which has brought her into and sustained her focus on helping everyone feel they have the space to contribute and belong.

Ramona is a founding member and past president of DAIP’s board of directors, and serves on DAIP’s advisory board.

Ralph Tavares Jr.

Ralph Tavares Jr. (he, him, his) is a visionary problem solver who meets challenges with enthusiasm and an open heart.

Many memories and moments in Ralph’s life informed his decision to enter the DEI field. As a senior in college, he was racially profiled by a security guard while entering the front gate of his own school, and was refused entry until he showed his student ID. He remembers many other times that he was deeply hurt by explicit and implicit acts of racism (being pulled over by the police, being called racial epithets, and more), but the moment at the college gate stands out as the spark that fueled his passion for this work.

Ralph is a past president of DAIP’s board of directors, and serves on DAIP’s advisory board.

Sandra Victorino, LMHC

Sandra Victorino, LMHC

Sandra Victorino (she/her/ella) is Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and serves as executive for a major healthcare organization, where she leads workforce development, diversity, inclusion, and community relations. Sandra’s professional areas of interest include health care access for all populations, health and mental health equity, building leadership capabilities, diversity and inclusion, and developing community partnerships. 

The daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico, Sandra and her family spent her childhood as migrant workers, traveling around the West to the Midwest, and finally settling in Texas. Her professional path eventually brought her to Rhode Island, where she embarked on a behavioral health career shaped by her early experiences. 

Sandra serves on DAIP’s advisory board. 

Sandra Victorino, LMHC

Osmary Rodriguez Barker

Osmary Rodriguez Barker (she, her, ella) passionately pursues solutions to any challenges that come her way and tirelessly works to empower others to do the same.

Osmary believes that it’s up to each of us to fight for the things we care about using our unique gifts to improve the world, especially for the following generations of young professionals who, if not for the work done before them, would not have the opportunities to create ongoing change for the future.

Osmary serves as project manager and solutions architect for Diversity and Inclusion Professionals (DAIP).

Katie Neves

Katie Neves (she, her, hers) loves serving nonprofits and advocacy groups, and believes that the best way to approach the world’s most complex issues is through human connection and improved communication.

Katie came to DEI work by way of social justice work, and leading advocacy and awareness campaigns that capture stories, amplify marginalized voices, and empower folks to raise their voice to make a difference. She is passionate about creating space for those around her who might not otherwise have a platform to impact change.

Katie serves as a project manager and content strategist for Diversity and Inclusion Professionals (DAIP).

Daphney Afolabi

Daphney Afolabi (she/her/hers) is a licensed clinical social worker who is deeply passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) work—which she views not only as a professional pursuit, but also a personal commitment to fostering environments where everyone feels valued, included, and empowered. 

Daphney’s experience migrating to the United States from Haiti as a young girl gives her a unique perspective when working with underserved communities. Her dedication to DEIB stems from the belief that diverse perspectives and backgrounds enrich the fabric of any organization, and lead to innovation, creativity, and a more vibrant community. 

Daphney serves on DAIP’s programming committee.

Theresa Barzyk​

Theresa Barzyk (she/her/hers) is the founder and creative mind behind a Rhode Island-based boutique graphic design studio. She gained her broad design skillset (including print and digital graphic design, branding, UX/UI design, etc.) from navigating diverse design terrains ranging from small print studios to large corporate settings. 

As an entrepreneur and creative, Theresa is always looking to connect with other professionals and creatives, which brought her to her work supporting DAIP. She considers herself a lifelong learner, and is currently working to deepen her web development skills, and is part of the current EQUITYxDESIGN RI cohort–an experience which is reinforcing her commitment to diversity and inclusivity in her design methodology. 

Theresa serves on DAIP’s communications committee. 

Shanna Ferguson

Shanna Ferguson (she, her, hers) is a seasoned HR professional who leads efforts in recruitment and staffing, employee relations, performance management, and developing and implementing DEI initiatives.

Shanna is passionate about partnering with decision makers to create a workplace environment that inspires and motivates people of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to realize and work to their fullest potential.

Shanna serves on DAIP’s programming committee.

Hannah Hansen

Hannah Hansen (she/her/hers) is a people and culture strategist and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) champion.

Hannah serves on DAIP’s grants committee. 

Kimberly Mittelsteadt

Kim Mittelsteadt (she, her, hers) is a seasoned HR professional who is passionate about aligning HR strategies with organizational goals. Under her leadership, her current employer has been recognized with awards such as Best Places to Work, Top Workplaces, and Healthiest Employer, reflecting her commitment to fostering a positive work environment. 

Kim is passionate about creating greater inclusivity in her workplace, and established a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee, which she co-chairs.  

Kim serves on DAIP’s grants committee. 

Shelley Peterson

Shelley Peterson (she/her/Ella) is a Peruvian-born, US-educated professional and entrepreneur with experience across sectors—including in independent private secondary education, social service non-profit, technology, and local government. She is known as a visionary who always puts community first. 

Shelly’s cross-cultural experiences have inspired her work and her volunteerism—she has proudly served on boards in areas surrounding housing, environmental sustainability, food insecurity, youth development, women’s empowerment, and equity. 

Shelley serves on DAIP’s grants committee. 

Deb Wallace, PHR, SHRM-CP

Deb Wallace (she, her, hers) is a seasoned HR professional, and under her leadership, her current employer has been recognized for their culture of inclusivity, community engagement initiatives, and wellness program.

Deb pursued an HR career because she wanted to have a positive impact on her workplace and her community. She understands the critical need for DEI initiatives to cultivate and support a more inclusive culture, and is inspired and motivated by other local DEI leaders and organizations.

Deb serves on DAIP’s communications committee.