Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State Announces New Board President

CRANSTON, R.I. (August 18, 2017)—Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brendan Kane as president of its nonprofit board of directors. “Mr. Kane has been a dedicated board member for the last four years, and we are thrilled to see him step into the role of president,” said Katje Afonseca, BBBSOS executive director. “He will lead our board through growth and sustainability planning, and will continue to enhance our mission with his business acumen and resources.”

Kane is a partner at the Peregrine Group, a property management company where he oversees day-to-day business operations. He brings exceptional knowledge to the BBBSOS board in the areas of business development, finance, and public relations. Kane previously served as vice president of business development for New England Construction, as well as regional sales manager for The Hertz Corporation, where he oversaw business-to-business sales with major U.S. insurance companies. He also worked in sales for Aventis Pharmaceuticals, and served as chief operating officer for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Dublin. Kane serves on the boards of: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State, Fogarty Foundation, The Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund, Fort Adams Trust, The RI Business Development Company, on the advisory board of Overhead Door, and is a member of Rhode Island Commodores. He is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island.

“Our vision is to ensure that every youth who wants and needs a mentor has that opportunity. As board members and staff, we will do everything in our power to get closer to achieving that outcome each year,” Kane said. “We will work with business leaders, volunteer mentors, and community partners to create a sustainable business model that allows us to satisfy and exceed our goals.”
Kane succeeds former board president Alison Reuter who led the organization from July 2015 to July 2017.

BBBSOS provides young Rhode Islanders with mentors who motivate and empower them to make positive decisions, improve academic results, avoid risky behaviors, and grow in a way that will positively impact the community. The board of directors are community leaders who are engaged and eager to support the mission and provide mentors to hundreds of children annually throughout Rhode Island. Fully invested in the nonprofit’s mission, 100 percent of BBBSOS’s board members and senior leadership team participated in fundraising efforts in 2016, personally donating or securing donations to support the youth mentoring program.

To learn more about our board of directors, the role mentoring plays in our community, or to find volunteer opportunities, visit www.bbbsos.org, email mentoring@bbbsos.org or call 401-921-2434, Ext. 101.