Leadership
Victor F. Capellan
Founder & CEO
Alexis Cellars
Research Associate
Andrew MacMannis
Chief Strategy Officer
Clarissa Hernandez
Office Manager/Executive Assistant
Danielle Barron
Senior Director of Leadership & Development
Joshua Laplante
Chief Innovation Officer
Victor F. Capellan
FOUNDER & CEO
Victor Capellan is an experienced executive leader in education with a demonstrated history of working with communities and families to ensure sustainable change that improves learning and life outcomes for children. He is strategic and innovative and is skilled in coalition-building, education reform, and social justice advocacy.
Most recently, Victor served as Senior Advisor to the Rhode Island Education Commissioner. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the Commissioner’s Strategic Advisory Team, the School Building Authority, and the Charter School Office, and he created the Office of Equity and Diversity. Previously, Victor served as Superintendent of Schools in Central Falls, where he launched a district improvement effort focused on equity, including creating the first dual-language school in the city. He is the former Assistant Superintendent in Fall River, Massachusetts, and served as Principal of the EBC High School in Brooklyn, NY. Victor is currently an adjunct professor at Providence College, where he serves as a clinical supervisor for students in the Graduate Program for School Leadership.
In addition to his roles in education, Victor has been a political advisor to many elected officials in Rhode Island, serving as Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s transition co-chair, Former Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza’s campaign co-chair, as Former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras’ deputy campaign manager, and Former State Senator and current City Councilman Juan Pichardo’s political director.
Victor has served on several community boards, including the founding boards of Latino Dollars for Scholars and the RI Latino PAC (RILPAC). In addition, he served as Past President of Quisqueya en Accion and the Dominican American National Roundtable. Victor has been a member of the Providence Zoning Board, the RI Nature Conservancy, the Narragansett Boy Scouts Council, and Rhode Island Hospital, as well as as Chair of the Rhode Island Kids Count Board of Directors and of Rhode Island Housing.
He received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1992, a master's degree in human development and Family Studies in 1996, and a master's degree in education in 2002 all from the University of Rhode Island. Victor lives in Providence with his wife, Diana, and their son, Luis Francisco.
Dr. Jose R. Polanco
BOARD CHAIR
Dr. Polanco is currently the Chief of Primary Care at the Providence VA Medical Center. A graduate of Brown University, the State University of New York at Binghamton, and the State University of New York College of Medicine in Brooklyn, he completed his training in internal medicine at Rhode Island Hospital. He is board-certified and serves as a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, where he has taught medical students and residents for over 20 years.
His expansive experience in transforming ambulatory care includes serving as medical director and attending physician for the ambulatory center at Memorial Hospital and chief medical officer of the Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, Inc., in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; and for establishing Edgewood Medical, a large, successful solo primary care practice in Cranston. He also served as Medical Director of Adult Ambulatory Services at Rhode Island Hospital, a large academic medical center, before transitioning to Signature Healthcare as Chief of Internal Medicine, where he was instrumental in establishing a new Medicaid ACO with over 20,000 covered lives. His breadth of experience in the private sector is now transforming the delivery care model for Veterans in the state of Rhode Island into a more efficient and higher-quality system.
Polanco served as treasurer of the Rhode Island Medical Society for 5 years, as well as a member of multiple boards and committees, including- Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI, The Champlin Foundation, and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. He established an educational, call-in radio program for the Latino community on Poder 1110 where he discussed general health and medicine topics.
Dr. Polanco is a graduate of the Providence Public Schools. He and his wife are residents of Cranston, RI, where they raised their two sons.
Clarissa Hernandez
BOARD MEMBER
Clarissa Hernandez is a seasoned professional in the real estate industry, currently serving as a Realtor® at Blackstone/Ocean Properties. With a wealth of experience, Clarissa brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to her role, making her a trusted resource for her clients.
Before joining Blackstone/Ocean Properties, Clarissa was a valued member of The RealPro Group at RE/MAX Innovations, where she honed her skills and built a strong foundation in the real estate market.
As a lifelong resident of the city of Providence, Clarissa possesses in-depth knowledge of all its neighborhoods. Furthermore, her familiarity with cities and towns throughout Rhode Island enhances her ability to guide clients through diverse real estate landscapes.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Clarissa is a devoted mother to two daughters, both of whom attend charter schools in Rhode Island. Her commitment to education extends beyond her own family, as she is a strong advocate for families having options to choose a quality education for their children. This commitment reflects her belief in the importance of education as a cornerstone for community development.
Clarissa is a proud graduate of Rhode Island College and has a unique perspective on the local educational landscape, having attended the Providence Public Schools herself. Her personal experiences contribute to her empathy and understanding of the diverse needs of families navigating the educational decisions they must make for their families as they search for their new home.
With a comprehensive understanding of the Rhode Island real estate market and a passion for education, Clarissa Hernandez goes above and beyond to ensure her clients achieve their real estate goals.
Danielle Barron
BOARD MEMBER
Danielle Barron has worked in the Corrections field for almost eighteen years. After receiving
her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies, she realized she wanted to work in an environment that was meaningful. She was originally hired as a contracted employee in the reentry unit, assisting female offenders to reintegrate back into society. Four years later, Danielle began working in the RI Department of Correction’s Planning & Research Unit, where she was responsible for the implementation of several initiatives intended to improve offender outcomes and increase public safety.
In 2019, Danielle was promoted to Chief of the Policy Unit to manage and oversee the Department’s 250 policies and standard operating procedures. Due to her knowledge and experience with evidence-based implementation and strategic planning, she has most recently been tasked with leading the Recidivism Reduction project, which “seeks to create a sustainable framework to align the Rhode Island Department of Corrections with effective evidence-based practices and strengthen cross-system collaboration statewide.”
Additionally, Danielle decided to pursue her dream of becoming a real estate agent. As a licensed Realtor© in Rhode Island, she is eager to help her clients buy, sell, or rent and prides herself on open communication, dedication, and transparency.
Ms. Barron holds a Master of Public Administration from Roger Williams University and a Bachelor of Science from The University of Rhode Island. Danielle is the mother of a 4-year-old son who will be starting school next year.
Get Involved
Your voice matters! There is a place for everyone who is connected to our schools at the Rhode Island
Education Collective. Get involved today and help us create a brighter, more equitable future for students in
our state.
Email: Info@RIEducationcollective.org
Rhode Island Education Collective
225 Dyer Street, 2nd Floor
Providence, RI 02903