Meet the Staff

Liz Pasqualini
Executive Director

Liz has worked at the Jonnycake Center since 2008, starting first as Special Assistant to the President of the Board of Directors; then as Social Services Associate in the Social Services Department, and later as Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator.  In 2010, she became Interim Director and following her outstanding leadership during the historic flood of March 2010, she was promoted to Executive Director.  Liz is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island, Theta 12 Class. She is a 2012 recipient of Southern Rhode Island 40 Under Forty, and a 2015 recipient of Rhode Island’s 40 Under Forty.  She serves on the Rhode Island Community Food Bank Agency Advisory Committee and is the incoming President of The Chariho Rotary Club.  Liz received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008 from Smith College where she majored in Sociology and minored in Third World Development Studies.  Her prior experience includes work as a banquet manager and event planner providing four-star service for the execution of wedding functions , and work as a fundraising intern at Wisteriahurst Museum in Holyoke, Massachusetts while she was an undergraduate at Smith College.   Liz is an ardent supporter of a vegan and animal-kind lifestyle, and is a huge country music fan.  Although petite in stature, she is a kind-hearted, tireless, selfless giant in advocating for those less fortunate.  Originally from North Stonington, Connecticut, Liz resides in Hope Valley.

401.377.8069 ext. 106

epasqualini@jonnycake.org

Lee Eastbourne

Development Director

Lee was born and raised in Bradford, England, approximately four hours north of London. He completed his undergraduate education in the United Kingdom and currently holds a Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Sport and Education Studies from Liverpool Hope University.

Lee moved to the United States in late 2004 for what he thought was a short commitment to work and gain valuable experience before returning to England to pursue a career in Education. That plan never came to fruition as Lee met, and is now married to Jennifer, with whom he lives in Gales Ferry, CT. They have a daughter, Emmeline and son, Noah.

During his time in the United States, Lee has held roles in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, serving as Client Services Manager, Account Executive, and Operations and Marketing Manager, before taking on the position of Director of Development with the Jonnycake Center of Westerly.

401.377.8069 ext. 105

leastbourne@jonnycake.org

Sarah Teixeira

Pantry Manager

Sarah joined the Jonnycake Center in November 2015. Sarah has recently received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Studies from the University of Rhode Island where she focused her studies on health promotion across the lifespan.

Prior to joining the Jonnycake team, Sarah was the Assistant Manager of greenhouses at Schartner Farms in Exeter. So, not only can Sarah tell you how to sneak more vegetables into your diet, she can also give you pointers on how to grow them!

401.377.8069

steixeira@jonnycake.org

Brielle Couillard

Marketing Coordinator

Brielle joined The Jonnycake Center in February 2017. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies from The University of Rhode Island with interests in Marketing and Advertising. Brielle was a Westerly local for fourteen years before moving to Pawcatuck with her boyfriend Tim and his son Julian. Prior to joining the Jonnycake team Brielle held a position in a customer service job.

When not at work you can find Brielle knitting, baking, cooking, or hanging out with her family and two cats. She also enjoys going to the beach and keeping up with the latest fashion and makeup trends.

401.377.8069 x116

bcouillard@jonnycake.org

Susan Rosen

Program Director

Susan joined the Jonnycake Center staff in October of 2015.  Susan received her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Northeastern University and Master of Science  degree in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Rhode Island. Susan is also a Board Member of The Greater North End Community Development, Inc.

Prior to coming to Jonnycake, Susan held the position of Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate at the Naval Submarine Base New London and still remains involved in activities  in conjunction with SafeFutures of New London  spreading community awareness about domestic violence.

Susan is excited to be a part of the Jonnycake community.

401.377.8069 ext. 110

srosen@jonnycake.org

Heather Vultee
Store Manager

Heather started in 2014 as the Receiving Manager in the Backroom of the Thrift Store. She loved it so much she decided to take on the front of the store as well! Heather’s thrilled when people are happy to find treasures in the store, but she’s even more excited that every penny of profit goes to Jonnycake’s overhead. While at Colby College in ME she was named one of George Bush Senior’s 1000 Points of Light for her work with Colby Friends, an organization that worked with Student Volunteers and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She finds working with our volunteers very fulfilling and is always happy to welcome new volunteers, young and not as young, to the store. After college, Heather moved around New England as a Store Manager for various retail establishments, and eventually was promoted to a home office to work on special projects. Heather and her husband of almost 20 years live in Ashaway with their four children (two sets of twins), two dogs, two cats, a rabbit and a fish. She is not going to give in to her kids’ requests for a pet pig or a pet cow, but she might be talked into pet chickens.

401.377.8069 ext. 104
hvultee@jonnycake.org

Adrienne Hall
Volunteer Coordinator

Bio coming soon!

401.377.8069 ext. 114
volunteer@jonnycake.org

Grace Cipriano
Volunteer Coordinator

Grace Cipriano started volunteering at the Jonnycake Thrift Store in the Spring of 2014. In January 2015, she was hired to join the staff as a Volunteer Coordinator alongside Steve Symonds. The Volunteer Coordinators recruit new volunteers and oversee the work of all volunteers. They also provide opportunities for Community Service clients to earn their hours as volunteers at the Center. Grace is a retired State of Connecticut employee who had worked in several different agencies. She completed her 26 year tenure with the State of Connecticut as an Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs at Eastern Connecticut State University. Grace was a native of Ludlow, Massachusetts but moved to Ledyard Connecticut in 1967. She graduated in 2013 from Eastern Connecticut earning her Bachelors Degree majoring in English and fulfilling a lifetime dream of attending college. Grace is married to Ken Dwelly and chose to move to this area which they both love.  As a couple they support the mission of the Jonnycake Center. They enjoy the beach, hiking, and spending time with their children and grandchildren who all live nearby.

401.377.8069 ext. 107
volunteer@jonnycake.org