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Amie Kershaw And Kathy O’Donnell New Roles At Citizens
January 22nd, 2010
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has named Senior Vice President Kathy O’Donnell as Director of Public Affairs. In her new role, O’Donnell is working with the local public affairs teams throughout the company’s 12-state retail footprint managing Citizens Bank and Charter One’s charitable contributions, philanthropic activities, community outreach, marketing sponsorships and its legacy programs, such as Gear for Grades and Champions in Action®.
 O’Donnell serves as a key resource on public affairs for Citizens’ senior executives. She also is supporting the company’s strategic plan through its community-based, local delivery model to ensure that Citizens is actively engaged in the communities where it does business, responding appropriately to local issues, needs and concerns.
Simultaneously, Citizens announced that Vice President Amie Kershaw has succeeded O’Donnell as Director of Public Affairs for Citizens Bank in Rhode Island. Kershaw previously was the Rhode Island bank’s Senior Public Affairs Manager.
 In her new role, Kershaw oversees public affairs, community outreach and media relations in Rhode Island, reporting to O’Donnell. In addition, Kershaw is a member of Citizens Bank President Ned Handy’s state leadership team.
O’Donnell joined Citizens Bank in 1995 as a public relations manager. She was promoted to Vice President in 2000 and to Senior Vice President in 2005. Before coming to Citizens, O’Donnell was director of development at the American Diabetes Association, Rhode Island Chapter, and a reporter for local radio stations.
O’Donnell is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island’s 2004 Omega Class. She is a board member of Day One and chaired the development committee of Children’s Friend & Service in Providence, where she was also an agency board member from 2002 to 2009. O’Donnell is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, earning a bachelor’s degree with a double major in journalism and communications studies and a minor in psychology. She is also a member of URI’s College of Arts and Sciences’ advisory committee and serves on the university’s Alumni Association Board having chaired its marketing communications committee.
O’Donnell lives in South Kingstown with her husband, Bill White, and their two children.
Since joining Citizens six years ago, Kershaw has assumed leadership roles in many bank signature programs including Champions in Action, Striking Out Hunger and Gear For Grades. In 2009, in addition to leading the Rhode Island Gear For Grades initiative, Kershaw spearheaded the wider New England Gear for Grades effort and collaborated with colleagues to provide markets in the Mid-Atlantic with the expertise to execute the program. Prior to joining Citizens, Kershaw was Promotions Director at 92 PRO-FM, a Citadel Broadcasting radio station in Providence.
Kershaw is active in the community. She is vice president of the board of directors of RiverzEdge Arts Project and a member of the board of the San Miguel School, an independent middle school for boys from the Providence area. She is also past treasurer of the Southern New England Chapter of The Public Relations Society of America. Kershaw received a B.A. in communications and sociology from the University of Massachusetts and an M.B.A. from Johnson & Wales University in Providence. She is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Rhode Island’s Delta II Class. Kershaw lives in Providence with her husband.
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YWCA Northern Rhode Island Announces Women of Achievement Award Winners
Women of achievement awards are recognized nationally. They increase awareness and appreciation of the diverse contributions of women.
YWCA Northern Rhode Island is pleased to announce the 2007 Women of Achievement award winners, thirteen local women that improve the lives of children or youth. Awards will be presented in a spectrum of categories.
The four areas of a childs growth are highlighted emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development. Diana Hackney, president and CEO at Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island, gives wish children hope and strength to continue fighting their illnesses. Denise Perry, program director of the emergency shelter program at Communities for People, has devoted her professional life to working with adolescent boys. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell is the director of education and training at Urban League of Rhode Island. Her motto, education helps parents and children escape poverty. Judith Earle, executive director at Elizabeth Buffum ChaceCenter, equips parents and children with the knowledge that violence does not have to be their legacy.
Focusing on the family, Karen Davis is the vice president at Hasbro Childrens Fund. She assists children in need worldwide and is a founding member of the Rhode Island Women Ending Hunger program. Lisa Guillette, executive director at Rhode Island Foster Parents Association, provides education and other forms of support to families. Her nominator describes her as the ultimate mother.
Community connections are important as reflected in the adage, it takes a village to raise a child. Hillary Salmons, executive director at Providence After School Alliance, has led the charge to improve the lives of middle school youth in Providence. Elizabeth Burke Bryant, executive director at Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, is described as a champion of children. She provides information on childrens issues and promotes action. Elizabeth Colon, director of outreach and training at Childhood Lead Action Project, represents a specific interest expertly. She is totally committed to the cause of eliminating childhood lead poisoning in Rhode Island. Ghislaine Jean-Mahone, is the director and co-producer at Just a Step Productions. She is a performance artist promoting community development, empowerment, and awareness.
The more for girls does not equal less for boys category addresses issues that are unique to girls. Pamela Martin-Mitchell is the service unit manager at Girl Scouts of Rhode Island. She helps introduce girls to the many different fields of science, math, and technologies. Karen Gager, program director at Big Sisters of Rhode Island, is knowledgeable about gender-specific issues and provides this information on both a local and national level.
A helping hands presentation will be made to Maureen Macera, superintendent at the Woonsocket Education Department. She works with YWCA Northern Rhode Island (and other collaborators) on YWCAs Parenting in Progress program, an alternative education program for parenting and pregnant young women. Macera has had a long and distinguished career in education for nearly 40 years.
The public is welcomed to attend this special awards luncheon on Thursday, September 20th from 11:30am to 1:30pm at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln. It is the 3rd annual Tools of the Trade Luncheon with YWCA Northern Rhode Island as the host. Deb Ruggiero, local radio personality for Amazing Women, is the event emcee. Tickets are $50 and underwriting opportunities are available. For more details, visit www.womenofachievementri.org or call Lisa Piscatelli at 401-769-7450.
YWCA Northern Rhode Island is celebrating its 85th year. Your participation at this awards luncheon helps achieve equality for women. And it adds value in the lives of children and youth
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O’Donnell serves as a key resource on public affairs for Citizens’ senior executives. She also is supporting the company’s strategic plan through its community-based, local delivery model to ensure that Citizens is actively engaged in the communities where it does business, responding appropriately to local issues, needs and concerns. 
In her new role, Kershaw oversees public affairs, community outreach and media relations in Rhode Island, reporting to O’Donnell. In addition, Kershaw is a member of Citizens Bank President Ned Handy’s state leadership team.