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Leadership in Providence

Our executive director, staff, alums, board members and partners are committed to building a stronger Providence by supporting and developing our AmeriCorps members as leaders in their schools and community.

Nirva R. LaFortune

Executive Director

Nirva R. LaFortune has nearly 20 years of experience in education, government relations, public policy and community engagement and service. Her relationship with City Year began almost 30 years ago when she participated in City Year Providence’s Young Heroes Program while a student in Providence Public Schools. Her experience was transformative and set the foundation for her passion for service and equity.

Elected to Providence City Council in 2017, Nirva was the first Haitian American to hold elective office in the state of Rhode Island. She served as the vice chair of the Special Committee on Education and introduced legislation to create the City of Providence COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Task Force. Nirva championed social-emotional support and resources in schools, affordable housing, mental health issues and initiatives that address inequity and racial disparity and promote equity and access.

Nirva is an educator and has worked in various capacities in higher education at Temple University, Drexel University and Brown University, where she received a master’s in urban education policy. Her most recent role was as the assistant director of the Curricular Resource Center for Peer Advising and the inaugural assistant director of Scholars Programs and Diversity Initiatives at Brown University.

Nirva was named one of 21 Who Made a Difference in 2021 by GoLocalProv and a 40 Under 40 honoree by Providence Business News in 2019. She is a parent, an avid runner and a lover of all things related to art and music.

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Providence is home to a close-knit and welcoming community known for its commitment to improving education.

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Students who work with City Year report better academic outcomes than similar students who don't.

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City Year enables the leaders of tomorrow to impact our communities today. Join us in helping all students thrive.

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