PROVIDENCE, R.I. May 13, 2026 — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island (BBBSRI) today announced five new appointments across its advancement, programs, and operations teams as the state’s oldest and largest youth mentoring organization heads into its 60th anniversary year in Rhode Island.
The group includes two senior leadership hires: a fundraising and marketing strategist now serving as Chief Advancement Officer, and a former BBBSRI Program Director who spent five years building her leadership career elsewhere and chose to come back.
Ray Nuñez joined BBBSRI in May 2026 as Chief Advancement Officer, leading the organization’s full fundraising and advancement portfolio. Nuñez is co-founder and Senior Advisor of Nuñez, a Providence-based marketing and fundraising agency, and brings deep experience in nonprofit fundraising, campaign strategy, and community engagement across Rhode Island and New England.
“There are very few organizations in this state that have earned the kind of trust BBBSRI has built over 60 years,” said Nuñez. “The team we have in place now, across advancement and programs, is ready to meet this moment. I’m glad to be part of it.”
Tiana Ochoa Teo returns to BBBSRI as Chief Program Officer. Ochoa Teo first joined the organization in 2017 and served as Mentoring Program Director until 2021, when she left to lead Head Start programming for a large nonprofit. She comes back with five additional years of leadership experience, a broader view of the field, and a clear sense of where she wants to do her best work. In her new role, she will lead the mentoring programs team and support the continued growth of the organization’s reach and impact.
“This work has stayed with me through every role I’ve held since. Returning to BBBSRI as Chief Program Officer isn’t a departure from that path; it’s a continuation of it. The mission that first drew me here is as urgent today as it’s ever been, and I’m honored to help lead it into its next chapter.” Three new specialists join the advancement department. Bella Diiorio joins as Content and Campaigns Specialist, where she will lead social media, email marketing, and storytelling for the organization. She brings a sharp creative instinct and a proven ability to find and elevate compelling stories, and will manage BBBSRI’s content calendar and digital voice across platforms. Von Marie Moniz, a marketer, entrepreneur, and event professional, joins as Advancement Specialist, focused on donor relations and corporate partnerships. Alicia Schubert joins the team as Annual Giving and Operations Specialist, taking on the systems, reporting, and donor segmentation work that keeps the advancement team moving. Hope Strike, a former Little, joins as Operations Coordinator, supporting agency leadership and day-to-day organizational flow.
“This team reflects years of intention,” said Katje Afonseca, CEO of BBBSRI. “Tiana coming back tells you something about the impact we make. Ray joining us at this particular moment tells you something about where we’re going. These new team members bring exactly the skills and the commitment this chapter requires. I couldn’t be more excited to have them here.”
Individuals interested in supporting BBBSRI can learn more about the Big Believers monthly giving program and sign up at BigsRI.org. Clothing and household item donations are accepted year-round at DonateRI.org.
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About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island
Founded in 1966, BBBSRI is the largest and oldest youth mentoring organization in Rhode Island, serving young people ages 7 to 25 through professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships. The organization currently provides wrap-around services to more than 2,500 individuals annually across Rhode Island. BBBSRI’s work is made possible in part through the Donation Center Foundation of Rhode Island, a statewide social enterprise that collects clothing, linens, and small household items through home pickups, drop-off centers, and donation bins. Through a partnership with Savers Thrift Stores, the Donation Center funds approximately 70% of BBBSRI’s annual operating costs and keeps three to five million pounds of materials out of local landfills each year.
Media Contact
Ray Nuñez | Chief Advancement Officer
ray@bigsri.org | (401) 269-3374