Marilyn Cepeda-Andujar
PresidentMarilyn Cepeda is the current president of Quisqueya in Action, a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 by a group of young leaders.
Marilyn has served as a commissioner for the City of Providence Human Relations Commission and as a commissioner for Roger Williams Park under the administrations of Mayors David Cicilline, Angel Taveras, and Jorge Elorza. She also served on the board of The Greater Elmwood Neighborhood Organization. She was appointed to the Rhode Island Parole Board in 2017 by Governor Gina Raimondo and reappointed in 2023 by Governor Daniel McKee.
Marilyn Cepeda served for 25 years as vice president and general manager of Access Employment of RI, Inc., an employment placement agency in Providence.
Ms. Cepeda holds an associate degree in accounting from the Community College of Rhode Island and a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Johnson & Wales University.
Marilyn has lived in Providence, Rhode Island, for most of her life and remains actively engaged in the community by organizing local activities, supporting youth leadership, and advocating higher education and civic involvement. Her primary focus is promoting the Dominican Festival of Rhode Island and Parade, which she has helped organize for more than 36 years. She has received numerous leadership awards from leadership of state, city, and local organizations.
She was born in San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic, and immigrated to the United States in October 1974 with her siblings. She credits her mother, who raised the family as a single parent, with providing the support and guidance that helped her pursue higher education. Today, she remains committed to helping her community achieve continued growth. She is married to Juan P. Andujar and is the mother of Yoeslyn Andujar.
Huascar Beato
Vice - PresidentBio
Nancy Nance
Treasurer Works at Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) in the Office of Homeless and Foster Care where she is a liaison among schools, shelters, and community organizations to support students and families experiencing housing instability. She has also worked for the City of Detroit as a Mayor appointed role as a Business Liaison. Recently obtaining a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University her passion is always focused on uplifting at-risk youths and families. Current volunteers as committee member of Quisqueya In Action coordinating the Dominican Parade.
Jovanna Garcia
SecretaryJovanna E. Garcia is FEMA Reservist and Eligibility Technician II for the State of Rhode Island. She was born in New York to Dominican immigrant parents and has lived in Providence, Rhode Island since 1979. She is a longtime community advocate and public servant, and is the mother of three children.
She earned a B.S. from the University of Rhode Island with a concentration in Criminal Justice and completed emergency management training through the Emergency Management Institute and Capella University. She remains committed to ongoing professional development in emergency management.
Ms. Garcia has dedicated her career to community service. In her role as an Eligibility Technician II with the State of Rhode Island (10 years), she supports residents—particularly Spanish-speaking clients—in accessing essential benefits. As a FEMA Reservist, she has supported disaster response and recovery efforts nationwide.
Selected deployments include:
Rhode Island Floods (2010)
Hurricanes Irene (2011) and Sandy
New Orleans flooding (2019)
California Camp Fire (Paradise) Spokesperson
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria
Puerto Rico earthquakes
Texas winter storms
COVID outreach (Philadelphia)
She is the daughter of Adalgisa Garcia and Angel Garcia, who immigrated to the United States from Amina, Valverde Mao. Ms. Garcia is one of nine siblings and maintains strong family ties in Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey, as well as in the Dominican Republic.
Ms. Garcia has served in several community and civic organizations, including as Secretary of the Dominican American National Roundtable; a participant in the Latina Leadership Institute (2006); and a State Senate District Committee Member (Ward 11). She currently serves as Secretary and Vendor Coordinator for Quisqueya In Action, and as Volunteer Coordinator for Runway for Mom and Runway for Cure Lupus.
Milary Tavarez
Director at largeMilary Tavarez has been an active member of the Dominican Latin community for more than a decade. She began her community work with the Hispanic United Development Organization (HUDO), supporting political campaigns, multicultural events, and mentorship initiatives for young girls. She joined the Quisqueya in Action folklore dance group at age 9 and has remained a dedicated member ever since. In 2011, she was recognized as Miss Dominican Republic of RI and subsequently served as a mentor and choreographer for the dance group. She is committed to teaching and mentoring young girls, whom she views as future leaders and changemakers.
Professionally, Milary Tavarez has a background in youth development and education. She holds a master’s degree in Youth Development and an M.Ed. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Rhode Island College. She has also earned a College Leadership of Rhode Island certification and completed additional coursework in Immigration Law and Nonprofit Studies.
Milary currently serves as a college counselor with Rhode Island’s Educational Talent Search (ETS) at the Community College of Rhode Island, supporting students with college applications, financial aid processes, and career planning. She is actively involved with the Ne England Educational Opportunity Association (NEOA) and serves as President of the Rhode Island Educational Opportunity Association (RIEOA), reflecting her ongoing commitment to educational access and student success.
With extensive experience in youth development, education, and leadership, Milary Tavarez continues to advance initiatives that support young people and strengthen the community.
Jeanniny Vargas
Director at large Jeanniny Vargas was born and raised in La Vega, Dominican Republic, a city recognized for its cultural traditions, Olympic legacy, and carnival celebrations. She is the daughter of José Guerrero and Lilian Basora.
She completed her primary and secondary education at Eugenia María de Hostos School and later pursued higher education at Universidad Católica del Cibao (UCATECI), where she studied Marketing.
She is married to Abel Vargas and is the mother of Jeabel Vargas and Jeannibel Vargas, both of whom have participated in community initiatives through Quisqueya en Acción.
Dedicated to professional development and community service, she completed coursework as a Teacher Assistant at CCRI. She currently serves as the Director’s Assistant at the John Rollins Recreation Center, supporting programs and activities that advance community development and well-being.
Rosanna Cepeda
Director at largeBio