About
WRN was founded by a group of mature professional women who have reached a point in their lives and careers where they want to give back. Each one of the founders has been in the position of needing someone’s help to move forward. The organization was established to provide a safe place for women to find the resources they need to achieve their goals and remove constraints.
The following are the founders of the Women’s Resource Network along with the addition of four new board members. We are excited to start expanding WRN with the addition of these wonderful ladies. Each one of them has significant talent and expertise in her field. They will be a vital roll in the expansion and success of WRN.
Amy Gates, Founder and President – Trust Advisory Group
Like all of us at some point in time, life threw me into a situation where I needed a good attorney. At the time, I didn’t know any, so I asked a friend. We ask friends and people we know because we believe them to be a trusted resource.
The Women’s Resource Network is that friend. We want to be able to provide women with trusted referral sources. Not only of attorney’s, but accountants, financial adviser’s, therapists and much more. It’s often not until a life changing event is taking place in our lives that we need to enlist the professional services of others. When we need those services, it’s often in a hurry and hiring the wrong provider can be very costly.
I have realized how important it is, not only in my practice, but in life, to have a network of people that you can count on; People who will be there for you and support you through life’s challenges. It is my vision that the Women’s Resource Network will provide women with a place of comfort and with the resources they need to support themselves and their families.
You can email Amy at: algates@wrnri.com
Lee Johnson, Founder and Vice President – Adecco
I am proud to be a Branch Manager for Adecco in Providence, RI for the past five years and the President of the Rhode Island Staffing Services Association (RISSA) for the last three. Each day I meet individuals from many walks of life – some employers, some candidates – who continually enrich my life experience. It is in this role that I am constantly reminded that we all have a story to tell, a need to be met, and a dream to dream.
As a woman who has been through more trials and transitions than I care to recount, I understand how having reliable information at my fingertips could have been critical to my success in any number of situations.
Today I am thankful to be in a position to be a part of an undertaking that can assist women at whatever level they may need assistance and support. It is with this spirit that I hope you feel welcomed into the community of women here to support each other and encourage your individual growth and success.
You can email Lee at: ljohnson@wrnri.com
Dale Donnelly,Founder
I am a very visual person. Much of my business life has been spent designing kitchens, where size,scale and usage of space has been very important. I also get bored at times doing the same job over and over. So in 2006, I became an entrepreneur, running my own MLM business and having the time of my life while I was scared to death. I had never run a business before and I did not know what skills I needed.
Fortunately, with great advice and a lot of help, I have started my journey to success with a lot of work and determination. This foundation is what I look at as a gift that I can pass along to other women that would like to start using their skills for business or growing in their lives. When the idea of “helping women in transition” was first brought up, it had a huge impact on me.
My instinct has “pushed” me onto a path of helping to create this organization. I can visualize the help, guidance, fun and expertise that other women can get from women that are willing to share their gifts. Sharing has become a large part of what I do.
You can email Dale at: ddonnelly@wrnri.com
Welcome to our New Board Members
Joanne Resnick, Treasurer – Bookkeeping Resources
Joanne M. Resnick CPB is a freelance Professional Bookkeeper and owner of Bookkeeping Resources based in Providence, Rhode Island. Throughout her career, Joanne has worked in the CPA firms of Arthur Young & Company, Jarcho, Schwartz, Yarlas & Santilli in Rhode Island and S. Epstein Associates in NYC. Many CPA firms refer Joanne to their clients for bookkeeping services, QuickBooks troubleshooting and Quickbooks training. Her primary focus over the past 35 years is to assists her clients by organizing their financial records and implement cash flow controls. Ultimately, the client will save tax dollars and maximize their time to concentrate on future business growth.
Joanne has attained the distinction of Quickbooks Advanced Certified ProAdvisor since 2007 for Intuit Accounting Software. Currently, there are only 6 persons in RI holding that rank of ProAdvisor. Joanne offers services in both consulting and training on a virtual basis, working with her clients via telephone or the Internet. She is a member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers since 1990 and a member of The Certified Fraud Examiners Association. She also is the founder of the Bookkeeping Resources Network which is an organization seeking to promote the field of bookkeeping by providing education, networking and business opportunities for anyone seeking a professional bookkeeping career.
For more than 35 years, Joanne has held a variety of positions in financial and administrative services, working in a freelance capacity. Joanne is most appreciated by her loyal clients for her personalized interest in their individual needs, impeccable honesty, and concentration on accuracy.
Jennifer Reid, Secretary – Calise Bakery
Like most women I have often been responsible for maintaining a house or houses. I bought my first multi-family when I was 28, a complete fixer upper. I am now on house number four, second multi-family. Throughout these years of experience I have found that for some reason contractors often think women don’t know anything about carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical work, appliance repair, etc. In my case I have done most of these things myself and get truly aggravated when a contractor “talks down” to me. Just because we are women does not mean we only know how to accomplish domestic tasks! This is one of many reasons I think this network is so important. Through WRN we can empower each other with rich resources that will treat us with respect. We can be assured that we will be treated as the knowledgeable, valuable individuals we are.
Another of my passions is Elder Care which is a much needed resource. As women age we seem to be the ones who are thrown into the role of taking care of our parents or even our in-laws. As they say, “If you want something done give it to the busiest person in the room.” – traditionally that is the woman. With Elder Care being a major focus of the Women’s Resource Network, we will be able to support women in every stage of obligation in which they find themselves needing guidance.
There is a current song lyric that comes to mind – “everybody take my hand and let’s walk this world together.” Just think of all the amazing things we could accomplish together!
Jean Allard - Keystone Real Estate Group
Jean started her career in banking in the area of outside business-to-business sales. Jean’s role in the banking industry was expanded to include sales management, and national sales; covering the Eastern Seaboard for First Data/Chase Manhattan Bank.
She also worked to expand and train the business banking sales force for Citizens Bank. During her tenure, the group grew from 12 to 140 salespeople.
Jean left the banking industry to work as the Sales Director for the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Through her role as Sales Director, she was able to deepen her relationships within the RI business community by developing one to one relationships with small to medium sized companies throughout the state.
Over the past few years, Jean has channeled her sales, training and marketing experience into the Real Estate sector. She holds a Senior Real Estate Specialist designation, and has been asked to speak numerous times on radio and television to share her expertise. She’s also been published in Caring Years Magazine, which focuses on issues facing senior citizens and their caregivers. She continues to participate in panel discussions across the state.
Jean and Keystone Real Estate Group are the ONLY Realtors recommended by the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Aging In Place Council. She is an active member of the Rhode Island Assisted Living Association, as well as the Senior Agenda Coalition. Jean also acts as the Vice President of the Money Makers Chapter of BNI. Jean’s other memberships include both the Rhode Island Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors
Brenda Williams – Ali - Neighborhood Health Plan of RI
Brenda Williams-Ali has served as Employee Relations and Recruitment Manager for Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island since May 2007. In this role, she is responsible for recruiting, developing processes that lead to the retention of high performing employees, and fostering strong employee relations. She is also responsible for implementing policies and procedures that ensure the organization complies with all applicable employment laws. Previously, Ms. Williams worked at United Parcel Service as a Human Resource Specialist, Citizens Bank as Assistant Vice President, Human Resources and as a Human Resource Manager at Houghton Mifflin. She is a member of the Rhode Island Affirmative Action Professionals, the Society of Human Resources Management, Northeast Human Resource Association, and Rhode Island Young Professionals. Brenda earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Human Resource Management, from Northeastern University.
Ms. Williams is very active in the community. She regularly volunteers her time to organize and participate in resume-writing and interviewing workshops with high school students. In addition, through her work with the Rhode Island Young Professionals, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Rhode Island, she often leads career discussions with young people focused on self-esteem, parental expectations and issues pertaining to first generation Americans. She recently, chaired the organization’s 7th Annual Winter Soiree that raised over $10,000. She also has participated in many other public service opportunities and groups including Youth in Action and Meals on Wheels.
Rhonda Del Signore - Province Mortgage
Rhonda is a mortgage broker with Province Mortgage Associates, Inc. Not only does she differentiate herself with superior customer service, she does it working with a group of friends. The Province Mortgage Team is a group of diverse sales people all with the same goals in mind. We will wow our customers and make their mortgage experience one in which they will want to come back to us in the future and refer us to their family and friends. Rhonda has excelled and has remained in the top of the sales force at Province Mortgage Associates Inc.
Rhonda is proud to be a seven year member of the Capital City Connection chapter of BNI (Business Network International) in which she co-founded. She has served in numerous positions ranging from president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer, and membership committee. Please visit www.capitalcityconnection.com to learn more about Rhonda’s network of professionals that she works closely with and highly recommends.
Rhonda is married with a son and enjoys spending time with her family and her two mini-daschunds, Mitchell and McKenzie. She also enjoys cooking as well as the occasional recreational sport.
