Founder and Executive Director

Latoya Watts is a proud Caribbean-American woman born on the island of Tobago (sister island of Trinidad & Tobago).

Latoya Watts became a teacher at the age of four. As a reading four year old her first student was her uncle, thirty years her senior. He was illiterate and at that young age Latoya’s career as a teacher began. She received her BA in English Literature and Secondary Education from Lesley University and her M.Ed. as a Reading Specialist from the University of Rhode Island. She is a Certified Level practitioner through the Orton-Gillingham Academy.

Maria Gonzalez is a native Spanish-speaking Latina woman born and raised in Providence. Maria is an educator who started her career as a learning specialist supporting literacy diagnostics and interventions for a specific population of students. The mission of WNT deeply resonates with Maria. She believes it is essential to provide affordable literacy development to students with economic and educational disadvantages, often those of BIPOC communities. Maria holds a Master’s in Urban Education and currently works as high school teacher. She enjoys basketball, reading, teaching, photography and traveling.

H. Colin Watts is a Caribbean American male with over a decade of expertise in Customer Service for companies such as American Airlines, National Grid, and Washington Trust. Colin possesses an innate ability to connect with individuals. His knack for engaging with people on a personal level and leaving a lasting positive impact on every interaction is one that serves our board well.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Colin's journey extends to the world of sports. A proud representative of his home country, Guyana’s National Soccer team. Colin's commitment to the game extends beyond the pitch, as he generously shares his expertise through soccer coaching, mentorship, and more.

Ricky is a VP of IT in the financial sector, dedicated spouse and parent of three, and a passionate advocate for education and philanthropy. Beyond the world of tech, Ricky treasures family moments while fueling a deep-seated commitment to improving underserved communities and leveling the playing field. With a unique blend of financial expertise and a heart for giving back, Ricky channels his energy into making a meaningful difference through education and philanthropic endeavors.

Born and raised in Rhode Island, Stephanie Petricone-Turchetta is a dedicated educator with over 22 years of experience in K-12 and higher education. A passionate advocate for quality and accessible literacy education, she has committed her career to providing effective literacy instruction to students from diverse backgrounds and learning abilities. Stephanie holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Studies from Northeastern University and has a robust background in developing and delivering literacy-focused curriculum. She strongly believes in the mission of WNT and uses her expertise to support the mission as a board member.

Arianna Arias, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master of Social Work from Rhode Island College. Fluent in Spanish and equipped with a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, she has a strong background in advocacy, case management, and program evaluation. With experience at organizations like the Children’s Advocacy Center and Dorcas International Institute, she is dedicated to supporting families and vulnerable communities. Arianna is passionate about social justice, policy analysis, and mental health, leveraging her skills to drive meaningful change.

Amanda, the Founding Executive Director of Gather RI, a new center in Providence, RI, that empowers women and gender expansive people to flourish. She spent the past fifteen years in higher education, most recently as the Director of the John Hay Library at Brown University, and prior to that as a member of the leadership team at Harvard’s Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America. Strauss’s accomplishments include being a fluent Spanish speaker, a nationally recognized gymnast, and bringing in grants totalling nearly $2 million over five years to support programs and projects with a national footprint for Brown’s John Hay Library. She has been featured in multiple media outlets, including The New York Times.

With over 20 years of experience in human resources and nonprofit leadership, Danielle brings a unique blend of operational and strategic HR and nonprofit expertise to her work. As the Director of HR at Amos House, Danielle leads both the operational and strategic aspects of HR, including payroll, benefits, employee engagement, organizational development, and policy creation. She is also focused on long-term initiatives that help shape the organization’s growth and ensure a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

In addition to their role at Amos House, Danielle also supports ARISE by overseeing HR, office, and finance functions, making sure the organization runs smoothly while contributing to its strategic planning.

Passionate about education and the power it has to transform lives, Danielle understands the challenges that arise when students don’t have access to the resources they need. That’s why she is excited to be a part of the Watts Natural Tutoring board, where she will bring their HR expertise and dedication to supporting students in their academic journeys.