Staff

Kate Brewster, M.S.W.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kate Brewster became the Executive Director of the Poverty Institute in September 2004, having served as Assistant Director to Nancy Gewirtz from September 1999 through the spring of 2001. Kate also teaches social policy and case management at the Rhode Island College School of Social Work. She most recently was the manager of the Employer Contact Unit (ECU) at the Rhode Island Department of Human Services where she was responsible for managing the RIte Share Premium Assistance Program.  Kate received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Social Work degree from Rhode Island College.

Linda Katz, J.D.
CO-FOUNDER, POLICY DIRECTOR
Linda Katz, Esq. is the Policy Director and, along with Nancy Gewirtz, co-founder of The Poverty Institute. Linda is responsible for legislative and policy analysis and advocacy on a range of public benefits and programs, including welfare, health care, child care, and employment and training. Linda is the primary author of the Rhode Island Standard of Need and the Guide to Government Assistance Programs. Before joining The Poverty Institute full-time in 2001, Linda was the Health Policy Director at the RI Health Center Association. She has also served as the director of the RI Disability Law Center and as a staff attorney at RI Legal Services. Linda received her J.D. from Boston College and undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester.

Heidi Collins
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC EDUCATION 
Heidi Collins became the Director of Public Education in March when Parents for Progress merged with The Poverty Institute. Her career in public policy advocacy began in 1993 as a founding member and community organizer for six years for the Coalition Against Poverty in Southeastern Massachusetts. She most recently was the Executive Director of RI Parents for Progress and held that position for six years until the merger occurred. She has experience in leadership development of low-income constituencies, in public education and outreach on public benefit programs, and engaging various constituencies in public policy advocacy.
She is a former welfare recipient who transitioned off assistance in 1996. Heidi received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in Social Services from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Russell Dannecker
FISCAL POLICY ANALYST
Russell joined the Senate Fiscal Staff in 1980 at which time the Senate Fiscal Staff consisted of two employees and played a smaller role in the budget process.  Today, the Senate is a key player in the development of the State Budget.  Russell lead the Senate Fiscal Advisory Staff which provides information on tax policy, expenditure issues, debt approvals, and capital projects to the members of the Senate including the Senate Finance Committee and its leadership, the Senate Majority Leader and Senate President.  

Russell was instrumental in the formation of the Senate Policy Office and the Senate Fiscal & Policy Fellowship program which has provided graduate students with a remarkable range of opportunities to gain professional skills in an intensive public sector work experience.  

Mr. Dannecker serves as one of the principals on both the Revenue Estimating and Medical Caseload Estimating Conferences and during his 28 years of public service, has worked on 30 different fiscal year budgets stretching from FY1979 to FY2009

Rachel Flum 
POLICY ANALYST 
Rachel Flum, Esq. has a bachelor of arts from Wellesley College and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center.  Rachel's previous policy experience includes working on TANF legislation on behalf of Catholic Charities USA and working on children's issues for Senator Kennedy's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Kerri Frattarelli
OFFICE MANAGER
Kerri joined The Poverty Institute in the fall of 2005 to assist with development efforts, financial accounting, and communications.  Kerri is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a BS in Business Management.  Before becoming the office manager for the Poverty Institute, Kerri was a project manager at New England Medical Billing, Inc. in Providence.

Judy K. Jones
POLICY CONSULTANT
From 1991 through 2007, Judy was Government Affairs Liaison for Rhode Island Housing, the state quasi-public housing finance agency,   advocating for the development of affordable housing at the state General Assembly. Previous to holding that position, she was a policy aide in the Offices of the General Treasurer and Lieutenant Governor and managed government relations for the United Way of Rhode Island. She has extensive background working with coalitions, networks and partnerships on a variety of social policy issues. Her work for the Poverty Institute focuses on workforce development, including increasing the skills and economic opportunities for low-skilled workers. She is a Board member of the Statewide Housing Action Coalition and the Newport County Community Mental Health Center.  Judy received a bachelors degree in English Literature from Muhlenberg College

Jennifer Leigh
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Jennifer Leigh is the Director of Communications at The Poverty Institute, and is responsible for press relations and communications strategy. Most recently, Jennifer was a marketing consultant for several nonprofits throughout the region, including affordable housing, healthcare and homeless advocacy organizations.  Prior to her consulting work, she was part of the team at The Link Agency, a full service integrated marketing firm in Providence, Rhode Island. Her marketing and communications experience ranges from strategic planning and public relations to broadcast production and consumer research. Jennifer received her undergraduate degree in Communications from Muhlenberg College.