Elorza appoints Lizzie Araujo as Director of Arts, Culture + Tourism, Janesse Muscatelli as City Assessor and Emily Koo as Director of Sustainability
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced the hiring of Providence resident Dr. Silas Pinto as the City’s first-ever Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). The DEIB Department was created in the City’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget to design, drive, implement and support the City’s efforts to ensure diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are shared and practiced principles in Providence.
“I am pleased to be able to amplify the work our City is already doing in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion through the new DEIB office,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “As the City’s first ever Director, I know that Silas’ unique background and deep investment in Providence and our community make him an excellent fit to lead the City in this important work.”
Dr. Pinto’s career spans a number of roles in the education and psychology fields, serving most recently as a faculty member in the Department of Education at Tufts University. As part of his previous role, Dr. Pinto served as a co-director of the Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Graduate Program. Dr. Pinto received his Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Rhode Island.
In addition to Dr. Pinto’s appointment, Mayor Elorza has named Lizzie Araujo Director of Art, Culture + Tourism (ACT), Janesse Muscatelli as City Assessor and Emily Koo as Director of Sustainability.
“Lizzie, Janesse and Emily have been passionate and hardworking members of our team since their first days with the City of Providence,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “I look forward to working with them in their new roles, all critical to the operations and vibrancy here at City Hall. I am confident that they will each go above and beyond to lead their teams and ensure that Providence is a City that works for all of its residents.”
Araujo joined ACT in 2014 and became Deputy Director in 2019. Araujo has more than 30 years’ experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, working in hospitality at Lupo’s on Westminster Street, serving as Associate Artistic Director at AS220 and managing The Black Rep and Fete Music Hall in Olneyville. Araujo earned her bachelor’s degree from College Unbound in August of 2021.
Muscatelli has been with the City of Providence since 2015, serving first as the Providence Deputy Tax Assessor and most recently as Acting Tax Assessor. Prior to joining the City of Providence, Muscatelli worked in the North Providence Assessor’s office for twenty-one years, including roles as Deputy Tax Assessor and Acting Tax Assessor.
Koo, who previously served as the Office of Sustainability’s Strategy Manager, graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in Environmental Studies in 2013. Her recent nonprofit experience spans the areas of affordable housing, urban agriculture, renewable energy and land conservation.
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