WHO WE ARE

Executive Director

Valerie is an experienced preservation professional and non-profit administrator.  She is the former Executive Director of the Massachusetts Historical Commission and MA State Historic Preservation Officer.  She then shifted from working in historic preservation policy and regulation to land conservation as a Land Protection Specialist for The Trustees of Reservations.  In 1997, Valerie became the Director of Projects for the New England Office of the Trust for Public Land, overseeing a $50 million portfolio of conservation real estate transactions.  In 2007, Valerie joined Preserve Rhode Island as its Executive Director.

vtalmage@preserveri.org

(401) 272-5101 ext. 203

Development Director

Tom Peterson works with non-profits to build sustainable models for growth.  A former marketing strategist and brand builder for international CPG companies (Unilever, Estee Lauder, Swarovski), tech companies (IGT), marketing agencies, non-profits and small/challenger brands, he now utilizes his expertise for positive impact in Rhode Island.  His ability to interpret consumer insights, find new markets and audiences, build affinity and loyalty with current customers/donors and create effective communication strategies across media platforms provide him with a unique ability in helping organizations meet their goals.   He has a B.A. in Finance from Fordham University and a M.B.A. in Marketing/International Business from N.Y.U.

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tpeterson@preserveri.org

(401) 272-5101 ext. 201

Program and Property Manager

Paul joined PRI in 2018. A native of Rhode Island, he holds both a B.A. in History and a M.A. in Historic Preservation from the University of Georgia. His background includes work as a preservation planner, nonprofit director, and construction project manager. He has a passion for wood window restoration and finding solutions for the adaptive reuse of older buildings.  

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ptrudeau@preserveri.org

(706) 224-4344

Program and Property Coordinator

Grace joined the PRI team in 2020. She is from Cleveland, OH which is where she first developed a passion for understanding the effects of historic preservation in cities. She holds a BA in Political Science from Wittenberg University and a Masters in Architectural Conservation from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. After returning from Scotland, she spent a year in Massachusetts as an Americorps member for the Student Conservation Association. There, she completed several carpentry, repointing, and window restoration projects for the National Park Service and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

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ggielink@preserveri.org

(401) 272-5101 ext. 204

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Development & Special Events Coordinator

Naydine brings a depth of experience in development. Most recently, she was at Lincoln School where she spent six years as Manager of Donor Services. A native Rhode Islander, she started her career as the Traffic Reporter for Spy-in-the-Sky. Naydine attended Manhattanville College and holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island. She is a resource for Preserve Rhode Island members and donors.  

nrock@preserveri.org

(401) 272-5101 ext. 205

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Debra was introduced to Preserve Rhode Island and the Lippitt House Museum when she moved to Providence from Massachusetts in 2017. Debra's background includes a bachelor's degree in Retail Management from Simmons University in Boston and a Master's degree in Human Resources from Emmanuel College in Boston. Debra worked at Biogen in Cambridge, MA for six years where she led the HR Communications function.  With previous stints at Walt Disney World in Florida and the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort in Puerto Rico, Debra's experience brings a blend of creativity, hospitality, and people skills to the Marketing & Communications role.  

dsansone@preserveri.org

(401) 272-5101 ext. 202

Lippitt House Museum Director

Carrie came to Lippitt House Museum to be its first director in 2013. Prior to joining PRI, she was Registrar and later Collections Manager at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia home.  Carrie was elected Phi Beta Kappa and graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in History.  She then earned a master’s degree in Public History with a Museums Studies concentration from the University of South Carolina. She is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Association for State and Local History, the New England Museum Association and the Victorian Society in America. She serves on the Board of the Friends of the Brown University Library and is a 2013 graduate of the Seminar for Historical Administration.  

ctaylor@preserveri.org

(401) 490-0289

Lippitt House Museum Curator of Education

Cathy has spent three decades providing children and adults with experiences, knowledge, and tools to enable them to be their own advocates and their own agents for change. She earned an MSEd in Museum Education Leadership from Bank Street College. She has held education leadership positions at Providence Children’s Museum and Science Museum of Minnesota. She is a member of the board of directors of New England Museum Association. Currently, she is an independent consultant based in Providence, Rhode Island and Curator of Education at Lippitt House Museum.

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csaunders@preserveri.org
(401) 453-0688

Lippitt House Museum Rentals Manager

Kristen joined Preserve Rhode Island's Lippitt House Museum to manage private rentals and market the Museum as a boutique venue on Providence's historic east side.  She is behind Chifferobe Events and New England’s premiere vintage dance company, The TropiGals. Her background includes a BFA in Studio Art and Performance Studies from NYU and an MFA in Sculpture from RISD, as well as working with the production team for PERFORMA, New York's world-class biennial focused on visual arts performance. Her relationship with the Museum actually began when she was still at RISD and she curated a series of 1930s murder mysteries in the Museum.

kminsky@preserveri.org

(401) 453-0688