Providence Public Library (PPL) held its Annual Meeting on May 14, 2025, announcing and installing officers and incoming trustees. In formal proceedings, the Library confirmed its 2025 – 2026 officers of the Board as: Christopher Stevens (Easton, Mass.), Chair; Sally McDonald Willis (Cranston), Vice Chair; Juan Wilson (Providence), Secretary; and Derek Farias (of North Attleboro, Mass.) Treasurer.
Christopher Stevens, of Easton, Mass.
Christopher joined the PPL Board as Treasurer in 2020 is now serving as PPL Board Chair. He is currently Vice President, Middle Market Banking, NE at JP Morgan Chase Bank, Providence.
Sally McDonald Willis, of Cranston
Sally joined PPL’s Board in 2015 and will now serve as Vice Chair. She is a partner with the law firm Cameron & Mittleman, LLP.
Juan Wilson, of Providence
Juan joined PPL’s Board in 2020 and now serves as Secretary. Juan has worked in the Providence area since 1994 starting as a graphic designer.
Derek Farias, of North Attleboro, Mass
Derek joined PPL’s Board in 2024 as Treasurer. He is the Senior Vice President for development and community planning at Barbara Sokoloff Associates.
In addition, the Library announced the following new members of the PPL Board of Trustees:
Jeffrey Gagnon, of Providence
Jeffrey P. Gagnon is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience at Amica Mutual Insurance Company, where he has held various leadership roles. Currently serving as Vice President of Service Center Operations in Lincoln, RI. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance Concentration from the University of Rhode Island and has earned several professional designations, including CPCU, CSSC, and AIC. He is also actively involved in community service, having led initiatives in collaboration with RI State Government and local non-profits, and has been recognized by the Governor of RI for his efforts.
Margaret Van Bree, of Barrington
Dr. Margaret M. Van Bree is a Senior Advisor and Clinical Professor in Health Policy and Management at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Before joining the faculty at Tulane, Dr. Van Bree was the president of Rhode Island Hospital and its pediatric division, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, the principal teaching hospital for the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Van Bree also had responsibility for psychiatry and behavioral health services, including Bradley Hospital and Gateway Healthcare. Dr. Van Bree has previously served on the faculty at several universities, including Brown University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Virginia, the University of Cincinnati, and Tulane University.
Annisha Vasquez, of Johnston
Annisha Vasquez is the Vice President, Community Development Officer at BankNewport. She is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering many strategic aspects of the Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act Program, through banking relationships with community-based, charitable, and nonprofit organizations. Prior to her roll at BankNewport, she served as the recovery communications and engagement manager for Mayor Smiley. She also held the position of deputy director of communications for Mayor Elorza. Annisha is a former advisory council member of the RISE Women’s Leadership Conference.
Carrie Zaslow, of Providence
Carrie Zaslow is Executive Director of the Providence Revolving Fund. Carrie also served as Program Officer at Rhode Island LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation). In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the Neighborhood Development Fund, where she provided technical assistance to organizations to help them develop organizationally, fiscally, and in the programmatically. Carrie began her career in community development at the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights. She was later named Director of the Homeownership Connection, a division of the Housing Network of RI. During her time at the Housing Network, Carrie created an award-winning foreclosure program that offered a comprehensive approach for families exiting out of homeownership.