BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Buff Chace, Board Chair
Arnold B. Chace, Jr. is the founder and managing partner of Cornish Associates, the developer and manager of the ten buildings that make up the Westminster Street Lofts in downtown Providence. With more than 30 years’ experience as a real estate developer, investor, financial advisor, and urban planner, Buff brings a wide-range and diverse amount of knowledge and understanding to the art of place-making. These vast experiences have led to the inception of the PRP, and contributed greatly to Buff’s concern for Providence’s resilience and sustainability against climate change. Buff’s ability to connect key players and foster collaboration has been the crucial stepping stone in getting PRP where it is today.
Rele Abiade, Board Member
Rele Abiade is Founder & CEO of One Rhode Consulting providing consulting services to community groups, nonprofits, government entities, and the private sector. Her experience includes roles at the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, a Governor’s Office, a nonprofit, and various campaigns. She successfully planned, implemented, and supported small and large projects in various policy areas, including economic development, health care, education, the blue economy, criminal justice, and manufacturing. As a result of her passionate advocacy, she has been credited with helping Rhode Island projects secure millions of dollars in federal funding. Raised in Rhode Island and a Providence College alum, Rele has worked in Washington, D.C, New York City, and New Jersey. But, as a mother of twin daughters – a future U.S. Senator and President – her accomplishments in Rhode Island are the most important to her. Rele launched One Rhode Consulting to lend her experience to projects and organizations focused on innovating or expanding ideas that will have the most significant impact.
Scott Burns, Board Member
Scott Burns is the former managing partner of Brown Rudnick’s London office, which he established in 1997. Before retiring from Brown Rudnick, Scott focused his practice on representing European companies as they raised capital from venture capital funds, private equity investors and the public markets, and representing venture capital funds in connection with their investments. He also served on the Special Counsel to the Clinton Healthcare Access Initiative (CHAI). He has been a trustee of numerous US and UK based nonprofits including Brown University, the Rhode Island School of Design, and the Foundation for Landscape Studies. He previously served as chair of the DeTocqueville Society as well as the the United Way of South Eastern New England.
Carol Grant, Board Member
Carol has lived in Providence more than 30 years. After working at NYNEX and Textron, she served as Providence’s Chief of Operations under Mayor David Cicilline. She then joined the leadership team of a wind and solar company. And during Governor Gina Raimondo’s tenure, she was the Commissioner of the Office of Energy Resources. In addition, she has served on numerous non-profit and civic boards.
Bill Hatfield, Board Member
Bill Hatfield is a retired bank executive following a 40-year career in the industry (1981-2021). He most recently served as the President of Bank of America Rhode Island, a position he held for 17 years.
Bill has been an engaged community and civic leader in Rhode Island for many years. He served on several non-profit boards in a variety of sectors including Human Services (Crossroads RI, United Way of RI, Family Service of RI), Education (Junior Achievement of RI, St. George’s School, Meeting Street School), Arts & Culture (Trinity Repertory Theater), Healthcare (Women & Infants Hospital), Historic Preservation (Preservation Society of Newport County), and Environmental Conservation (Nature Conservancy of RI). Bill served as past Chairman of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Providence Foundation, and was the founding Chairman of Skills for Rhode Island’s Future, an organization connecting the hiring needs of employers to talent in underserved communities. He was also active on the boards of the RI Commodores, RI Bankers Association, RI Public Expenditure Council as well as a member of the RI Economic Policy Council and the RI Council of Economic Advisors.
