Our Leadership

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. 

Andrew MacMannis

Chief Strategy Officer

  • Andrew MacMannis has worked in Rhode Island’s education landscape since 2006 – serving in a wide variety of roles.

    He got his start as after-school support staff for a neighborhood-based program in Providence, RI, a job he worked while earning his bacherlor’s degree in elementary and special education at Providence College. After graduating, he went on to earn his master’s degree in urban education policy from Brown University, during which time he held two research internships with Brockton (MA) Public Schools and the Rhode Island Afterschool Alliance.

    In 2010, Andrew joined the founding team at Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (TAPA), a charter school in Providence, as a special educator. Over 11 years, he held various roles — eventually becoming the Assistant Head of School for his final three years with the school. While at TAPA, he and the Head of School were recognized in Providence Monthly as one of the “ten to watch” in the city in 2020. Andrew also led a team that earned the school the national designation as an XQ Super School.

    After TAPA, Andrew joined the Rhode Island Department of Education, and was the first Director of the Office of School Opportunities, which leads the agency’s work with charter schools and state-operated schools. While there, he oversaw the growth of the EnrollRI platform and coordinated collaboration across different education sectors.

    He is excited to join the Rhode Island Education Collective and believes that The Collective can play an essential role in bringing stakeholders together and strengthening the educational ecosystem.

    Andrew lives in Rhode Island with his amazing wife Katherine, his incredible son, Walker, and his wonderful dog, BB.

Joshua Laplante

Chief of Innovation Officer

  • Clarissa Hernandez boasts over a decade of experience as a licensed Realtor® in the state of Rhode Island, demonstrating profound familiarity with its neighborhoods alongside a comprehensive understanding of numerous cities and towns within the region. Throughout her tenure, she has exhibited proficiency across various domains of real estate, consistently leveraging her diligence, passion, and organizational acumen to serve her clientele effectively.

    Recently appointed as the Office Manager/Executive Assistant for the Rhode Island Education Collective, after a tenure on its board, Clarissa's professional journey has been underscored by a commitment to mission-driven endeavors. With a foundational background in nonprofit work, she harbors a deep appreciation for the ethos underpinning such organizations, recognizing the pivotal role they play in fostering societal well-being. Her ongoing engagement in the nonprofit sector is testament to her enduring dedication to aiding individuals in need.

    Currently holding the esteemed positions of President within the Women's Council of Realtors Rhode Island (WCR of RI) and Secretary within the National Association of Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), Clarissa demonstrates a steadfast commitment to professional development and industry leadership.

    Beyond her professional endeavors, Clarissa treasures moments spent nurturing her familial bonds with her daughters. Whether embarking on nature walks or indulging in culinary experiences at their preferred eateries, she staunchly advocates for the importance of achieving a harmonious work-life equilibrium as a cornerstone of enhanced productivity and personal fulfillment.

Danielle Barron

Senior Director of Leadership & Development

  • As Chief of Innovation Officer at the Rhode Island Education Collective, Joshua Laplante brings his extensive experience and expertise to the forefront of educational development and quality school planning. In his role, Joshua will oversee the incubation and launch of new schools.

    Throughout his career, Joshua has worked in various capacities in both private and public secondary schools. 

    Joshua's teaching journey began in 1999, when he served as a teacher at The Prout School. In 2006, he began teaching science at Central Falls High School and later became an Academy Leader. In 2011, he was selected as Principal of Central Falls High School where he served as a strong instructional leader and a fierce advocate for all students and families.  

    His passion for environmental education led him to the position of Head of School at The Greene School, a public charter high school in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. 

    His academic background includes degrees from the University of Rhode Island, Providence College, and Brown University, where he specialized in secondary education, ESL, and cross-cultural studies. He also completed the Principal’s Residency Network, further honing his leadership skills.

    Josh has served as a board member of the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association (RIEEA), for nearly seven years. 

    Joshua is the founder of Global Rise, a non-profit organization that provides educational resources to children in rural and indigenous communities in Tanzania. He enjoys adventures with his wife, Stephanie, and finds daily inspiration in his two children, Luke and Maeve. Joshua's commitment to equity in education and his innovative approach make him a vital asset to the Rhode Island Education Collective.

Clarissa Hernandez

Office Manager/Executive Assistant

  • Danielle Barron joined the Rhode Island Education Collective as Senior Director of Leadership and Development after spending 18 years working in corrections. During her tenure at the RI Department of Corrections (RIDOC), Danielle worked in various capacities from strategic planning and grant writing, to training staff on best practices for corrections, and leading the Recidivism Reduction project, a 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.” Most recently, Danielle served as the Chief of the Policy Unit, where she was responsible for managing RIDOC’s hundreds of policies and procedures.

    Danielle is excited to grow her knowledge of the education system. In her new role, she is working to empower families, youth, and community members to become effective leaders and advocates in education. Additionally, she hopes to combine her experience in the correctional field with her increasing knowledge of education to help reverse the school to prison pipeline for children across the state.

    Danielle holds a Master of Public Administration from Roger Williams University and a Bachelor of Science from The University of Rhode Island.

    She currently lives in Rhode Island with her family and her dog, Brady.

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. 

Andrew MacMannis

Chief Strategy Officer

Clarissa Hernandez

Office Manager/Executive Assistant

Danielle
Barron

Senior Director of Leadership & Development

Victor F. Capellan

FOUNDER & CEO

Dr. Jose R. Polanco

BOARD CHAIR

Clarissa Hernandez

BOARD MEMBER

Danielle Barron

BOARD MEMBER

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