CCRI Foundation Elects Four New Members to its Board of Trustees

04/23/2025

Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Foundation has appointed four new members to its Board of Trustees.

• Samuel C. Palmisano, Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Amica Mutual Insurance

• Danielle North, Vice President of Communications and Engagement, Centreville Bank

• Michelle Muscatello, Vice President of Communications and External Affairs, Delta Dental of Rhode Island

• Chuck Jones, President and CEO, Thundermist Health Center

Samuel C. Palmisano, CPCU, SHRM-SCP, is a seasoned human resources executive serving as Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Amica Mutual Insurance. With extensive experience in talent management, employee relations, and strategic HR initiatives, Palmisano has played a pivotal role in shaping Amica’s employee-focused culture and driving organizational excellence. His distinguished credentials—as both a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional—underscore his deep expertise in human capital management and the insurance industry.

Danielle North serves as the Vice President of Communications and Engagement at Centreville Bank, where she has led internal and external communications strategies since July 2023, with a strong focus on community and employee engagement. Bringing a wealth of experience in media, public relations, and community outreach, North joined Centreville Bank after nearly 25 years in broadcast journalism at WPRI-TV. During her tenure, she earned two Emmy Awards for her contributions to the morning newscast 12 News This Morning.

Michelle Muscatello is the Vice President of Communications and External Affairs for Delta Dental of Rhode Island. Joining the organization in the spring of 2023, she leads communications and marketing strategy, philanthropic efforts and stakeholder engagement initiatives. Also a two-time Emmy Award winner, Muscatello spent 20 years in broadcast news, including more than 18 years at WPRI-12, where she forecasted the weather for weekday morning and noon newscasts. In addition, she is known for her philanthropic work and talent for building relationships as a highly respected leader in the Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts communities. She is a member of the Rhode Island Advisory Council for Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island and an advisory council member for the Rhode Island Oral Health Coalition.

Chuck Jones rejoined Thundermist Health Center as President and CEO in December 2024, receiving his introduction to community health as Thundermist’s Chief Information Officer and Executive Director of its Woonsocket Health Center in 2008. Jones was then promoted to serve as CEO through March 2017. Between his two terms at Thundermist, Jones held the role of CEO at Harbor Health Services. In addition to operating the first community health center in the country at Columbia Point in Boston, Harbor Health runs several community health centers and elder care programs in Massachusetts.

“We are honored to welcome these four distinguished leaders to the CCRI Foundation,” said Rosemary Costigan, Ph.D, RN, Interim President of CCRI. “Their diverse backgrounds, deep ties to the community, and shared dedication will support us in advancing the college’s mission of access, equity and opportunity.”

“The strength of the CCRI Foundation lies in the diverse expertise, passion and commitment of its members,” said Kim Barker, President of the CCRI Foundation. “Samuel, Danielle, Michelle and Chuck each bring significant expertise and shared passion for our mission, which will be invaluable to strengthening our impact for CCRI students.”  

About the CCRI Foundation
The CCRI Foundation is comprised of the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Assembly, and was established in 1979 to raise funds to support students and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). The CCRI Foundation encourages and provides support from individual, corporate, foundation and government funding sources for CCRI and its students. Funds are used for student scholarships, book awards, emergency relief, strategic programs, professional development, capital improvements and educational equipment and resources. Today, philanthropic partners are critical to the growing community of CCRI students and more than 80,000 alumni.

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