Jai-Me joined Brown in 2018 and worked for several years as the Manager of the Diversity and Inclusion Office at the School of Public Health. In 2021, Jai-Me became the inaugural Director of the Health Equity Scholars program before transitioning into the Assistant Dean role in June of 2022.

Prior to coming to Brown, Jai-Me worked in healthcare, first at the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry as the Manager of the Provider’s Clinical Support System-Buprenorphine and then as the Manager of Simulation Services for the Care New England Health System. Jai-Me studied behavioral neuroscience at Simmons University and has a Master’s degree in healthcare administration and management from Salve Regina University. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Salve Regina, focusing on the role storytelling plays in racial trauma, how healthcare is accessed, health equity, and more broadly, racism in America. Jai-Me also holds a faculty appointment at the Alpert Medical School at Brown University. She was the 2020 and 2021 recipient of the prestigious Dean’s Excellence Teaching Award and was recognized as a positive champion of the learning environment of Alpert Medical School. Jai-Me’s vision for the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion reflects her academic and teaching experience and her own deep commitment to achieving equity and justice in all of its forms. She brings thoughtful and authentic leadership and a history of engaging and supporting students.

Jai-Me is a native Rhode Islander, born and raised here in Providence. She has two children and a Maltese dog. She enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants with her husband, Jason.

Richard Cancio (He/Him/El) began his career in international development and global health as a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia. Following his 3-year Peace Corps service, Richard completed his Master’s in Public Health from Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine in New York City. Richard then worked as the LGBT Health Services Program Manager for the Mount Sinai Health System – where he educated hospital staff and medical students on LGBTQ competent care, Race and Ethnicity Cultural Competency, and mitigating implicit bias in the workplace. Since then, he has developed a strong skill set for addressing health equity with regards to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Richard has created and held workshops focusing on gender identity, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, and HIV stigmatization for community partners. While in New York City, Richard also spent time as an Adjunct Professor at both York College and the Icahn School of Medicine – teaching courses such as Best Practices in LGBT Health Research; Culture, Community and Illness; and Introduction to Gender Studies.

Most recently, Richard worked as the Curriculum Manager at The Fenway Institute of Fenway Health in Boston for three years, where he managed the development of culturally sensitive educational materials for a diverse patient population as part of a $21 million HRSA funded grant. Richard's passion for hosting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging workshops led to the creation of PinkSlash Partners, an independent consulting firm to aid organizations in system-wide cultural transformations and coaching organizational leaders in engaging in difficult, yet vital discussions with their staff and clients. Richard is beyond excited to apply his expertise and experience towards the cultural growth goals within Brown University’s School of Public Health as the Diversity Education and Training Manager.

As the Director of the Health Equity Scholars (HES) program, Rosenny “Rosey” Taveras is responsible for directing the mission and goals of the  program and serves as a resource for prospective and enrolled HES participants. She manages all elements of the program, including student support, the planning of workshops, lectures, and leadership experiences that engage experts from the University and beyond.

Since joining Brown in 2013 Rosey has worked with students in various levels of their career, with her main area of focus being graduate students. Prior to working with the HES program, Rosey managed the Initiative to Maximize Student Development program at Brown which provides doctoral graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM fields with professional development opportunities, academic support, training and community. She is a returning member of the School of Public Health staff where she previously worked in the Academic Affairs team. Rosey brings her experience in student support, professional development, partnership building and mentorship to facilitate and help foster an inclusive community of learners.