OFFICERS
Mark Dombrofski, Chair
MBA Application Developer, UConn Health - Hartford, CT
Mark began his career working with refugees as a caseworker, resettlement director, and volunteer coordinator in Chicago and New York. He earned an MBA in Marketing and Management from Loyola University Chicago and developed skills in database management and changed careers to specialize in enterprise resource planning and electronic medical records systems for healthcare. He is currently a Reporting Analyst for revenue cycle at UConn Health in Farmington, CT. He joined the board in 2020 with a desire to bring his backgrounds in refugee resettlement and data systems to help Beautiful Day grow and flourish. He serves as Vice President of the board.
Jason Witham, Vice Chair
Executive Director of Facilities, Design & Construction, Johnson & Wales University - Providence, RI
Executive Director of Facilities, Design & Construction, Johnson & Wales University - Providence, RI
Jason is Vice President of Real Estate and Facilities Planning at Johnson & Wales University. Prior to his 11 years at JWU, he worked in real estate development. He graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Architectural Engineering and earned a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University. He wanted to be part of Beautiful Day as he has great respect for the refugee community and loves the idea of workforce training through food. His contributions to the board include review of leases, space planning, acquisition of new location, and consulting on the fit-out of the new kitchen.
Andrew Brownsword, Treasurer
Business Development Consultant - Walpole, MA
After a 30-year career in business, Andrew is focused on helping New England non-profits enhance their impact. In addition to serving on Beautiful Day’s board, he is the Bookkeeper/HR Specialist at Bikes Not Bombs in Jamaica Plain, MA. He also volunteers with sports-based after-school enrichment organizations, a local food pantry and furniture bank. Andrew is the Treasurer of Beautiful Day’s board and advises on budgetary/financial issues.
MEMBERS
Dawn Apajee
Founder and President of City Personnel - Providence, RI
City Personnel is a staffing agency based in Providence, Rhode Island. Thanks to Dawn's leadership, City Personnel has won multiple awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award for Client and Talent Satisfaction in 2024. Dawn has also been recognized individually as a leader who’s making a difference. In 2024, she received the CBIZ Women Transforming Business Award for Culture, celebrating her efforts to create a positive and inclusive work environment. City Personnel is also certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and was recognized by PBN for their Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts in 2024. Being part of the Beautiful Day board means so much to her. As someone deeply passionate about giving back and supporting underrepresented communities, this role aligns perfectly with her personal mission to uplift others and create a brighter future for all.
Belton Allyn Copp, President & Chair
Physics Teacher, Durfee High School - Fall River, MA
Christine Fox
Professor of English, Community College of Rhode Island - Providence, RI
Founder and President of City Personnel - Providence, RI
City Personnel is a staffing agency based in Providence, Rhode Island. Thanks to Dawn's leadership, City Personnel has won multiple awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award for Client and Talent Satisfaction in 2024. Dawn has also been recognized individually as a leader who’s making a difference. In 2024, she received the CBIZ Women Transforming Business Award for Culture, celebrating her efforts to create a positive and inclusive work environment. City Personnel is also certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and was recognized by PBN for their Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts in 2024. Being part of the Beautiful Day board means so much to her. As someone deeply passionate about giving back and supporting underrepresented communities, this role aligns perfectly with her personal mission to uplift others and create a brighter future for all.
Physics Teacher, Durfee High School - Fall River, MA
Allyn is proud to be a board member of Beautiful Day since day one and currently serves as Board President. His professional career spans geology, environmental engineering, business, philanthropy and teaching. Allyn has taught, advised and participated in the administration of more than a half-dozen educational institutions and is a founding board member of the Paul Cuffee Public Charter School in Providence, RI. Allyn and his wife Mary are pleased to be parents of three grown children and live in Westport, MA.
Christine Fox
Professor of English, Community College of Rhode Island - Providence, RI
Christine is a Professor at the Community College of Rhode Island, where she has served as Coordinator of the Academic ESL Program and Chair of the English Department. For eight years, she also served as Executive Director of Providence based Counter-Productions Theater Company. Christine holds a B.A. from Stonehill College, an M.A. from Northeastern University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island. In her capacity as an ESL professor, Christine has had the privilege of working with refugees from across the globe and is acutely aware of the importance of breaking through the numerous barriers to steady employment and quality education they experience. Christine is delighted to join the Beautiful Day board and looks forward to contributing to the advancement of the organization’s vital mission.
Candace Harper
Executive Director at West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation - Providence, RI
Candance is responsible for providing organizational development and management to carry out the strategic goals of the organization; works to identify, strategize, develop, and implement programs and projects that fulfill the mission and values of WEHDC in conjunction with the Board of Directors; and for real estate acquisition, management, and development of fee generation to sustain the organization operations. In her spare time, she and her husband Marquis Harper serve as the Marriage and Family Pastors at New Dimension Apostolic Center in Providence. She is a proud mother of two, now adult and married children -- a son and a daughter, and is blessed with three grandchildren. Candace is an Alumna of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, class of 2018; she served on the Fountainhead RI Advisory Board from 2018-2023; has served on the Swearer Center Community Advisory Board since 2021; is the Vice President of the Greater Providence, RI Chapter of the Links, Incorporated; is a past President and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and is an active member in the Theta Psi Omega Chapter in Providence. She is also a 2024 Leadership RI Upsilon II Class Alumna, and was just accepted in to the IE Brown Executive MBA program for 2025-2026. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University.
Executive Director at West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation - Providence, RI
Candance is responsible for providing organizational development and management to carry out the strategic goals of the organization; works to identify, strategize, develop, and implement programs and projects that fulfill the mission and values of WEHDC in conjunction with the Board of Directors; and for real estate acquisition, management, and development of fee generation to sustain the organization operations. In her spare time, she and her husband Marquis Harper serve as the Marriage and Family Pastors at New Dimension Apostolic Center in Providence. She is a proud mother of two, now adult and married children -- a son and a daughter, and is blessed with three grandchildren. Candace is an Alumna of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, class of 2018; she served on the Fountainhead RI Advisory Board from 2018-2023; has served on the Swearer Center Community Advisory Board since 2021; is the Vice President of the Greater Providence, RI Chapter of the Links, Incorporated; is a past President and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and is an active member in the Theta Psi Omega Chapter in Providence. She is also a 2024 Leadership RI Upsilon II Class Alumna, and was just accepted in to the IE Brown Executive MBA program for 2025-2026. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University.
Alice Howard
Founding Director, Sunrise Forever, Inc. - Providence, RI
Founding Director, Sunrise Forever, Inc. - Providence, RI
Alice is a wife, mother of five children (two adopted), a grandmother, and a social change practitioner with a passion for sustainable development. She earned a BA in Insurance & Risk Management from the West African Insurance Institute, a BA in Business Administration from the University of Liberia, and an MA in International Development & Social Change from Clark University, Worcester, MA. In Liberia, she served in the United Nations Office for Project Services, the National Insurance Corporation, and Madison Insurance Company. In Rhode Island, she has worked at Brown University, Bank of New York/Melon, Citizens Bank, Plan International USA, and Washington Trust Bank in Westerly. She is currently a Marketing Director at World Financial Group (WFG). She is the Founder/Executive Director of Sunrise Forever, Inc. a nonprofit that provides school supplies and backpacks to Liberian children and a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Providence, RI.
David Palms
VP of Operations, Tenth Avenue Commerce - Providence, RI
David Palms
VP of Operations, Tenth Avenue Commerce - Providence, RI
Dave first learned of Beautiful Day from the farmers market in Lippitt Park several years ago. He spoke with the refugee trainee working at the booth and was inspired to get involved. He has worked in operations and marketing in e-commerce for a decade and brings to the board direct-to-consumer digital marketing and logistics experience.
Jill Tuttle
Senior Director of HR at Bristol Community College - Providence, RI
Jill holds a master’s degree in human resource development and serves as the Senior Director of HR at Bristol Community College. Prior to a career in HR, Jill served in executive leadership roles in the areas of workforce development and food insecurity. Before moving to Rhode Island, she was SVP of Programs for a New York-based nonprofit that funded life-changing surgeries for children across 74 countries. Jill was introduced to Beautiful Day shortly after wrapping up her board service at a Providence-based arts organization, The Avenue Concept. She was drawn to Beautiful Day because of her passion for workforce development, leadership development, and mentoring the next generation of leaders – particularly those faced with unnecessary barriers. She joined the board hoping that her experience in workforce development, HR management, and general nonprofit leadership would prove valuable.
Chief, Office of Special Projects, Health Equity Institute,
Rhode Island Department of Health - Providence, RI
Rhode Island Department of Health - Providence, RI
Michelle Wilson has over 30 years professional experience in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors building systems that center community, health justice, innovation, and equitable practices. Currently Michelle serves as the Chief of the Health Equity Institute (HEI) at the Rhode Island Department of Health where she leads several cross-cutting initiatives at the intersection of race, policy, and the social determinants of health. Michelle is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC where she received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is the proud mother of two sons in professional careers in service to humanity. In her spare time, she likes to learn about different cultures by way of travel, ethnic cooking, and the arts. Prior to joining the board, Michelle enjoyed working with Beautiful Day through her various roles at the health department.