Board & Staff

Debra Sharpe is the Executive Director, who came to work in the nonprofit field by chance. Having always been involved in volunteering, causes and community organizations, her first nonprofit job was with the American Heart Association in Illinois and Missouri as a field representative. She can't imagine doing other work.

Doreen Grasso works as our Youth Sports Concussion Program Coordinator. Doreen has been involved in the education field in varying capacities for the past 25 years. She received her bachelor's degree from Rhode Island College, where she is currently an adjunct professor. She holds a master's from Cambridge College. Having had sustained a TBI, she is grateful for the opportunity to serve the mission.

Richard Muto is our Education/Resource Center Manager who attended the University of Rhode Island. His previous work in the nonprofit field was for AIDS Project Rhode Island. He is a brain injury survivor who serves on various committees and was appointed four years ago to serve on the Governor's Permanent Advisory Commission on Traumatic Brain Injury.

Michelle Tolleson has joined the Brain Injury Association as Communications Manager. She has has over 20 years of experience in various fields in business, communications and marketing. She received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Grand Canyon University. Michelle is the Founder and owner of Ukiyo Social, a digital marketing agency that helps take the weight of the digital world off of business owners shoulders. She is a former health. wellness and fitness coach and is a graduate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York. She has personally been touched by traumatic brain injury and believes in what BIARI stands for and offers the community.

Cynthia takes on the responsibilities of fundraising and communications here at The Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island. She has a BA from The College of New Jersey. Cynthia relocated from New Hampshire where she worked in non-profit agencies in Nashua -  most recently at  The PLUS Company and The Partnership for Successful Living in Marketing Communications and Community Outreach. Prior experience with The YMCA and Singer Sewing Company in New Jersey.