Anna Cano-Morales

Anna Cano-Morales /
Anna Cano-Morales /

AGE: 38
POSITION: Senior community philanthropy officer, The Rhode Island Foundation
RESIDENCE: North Providence
LIFELONG AMBITION: To raise high expectations that all kids can achieve excellence
FAVORITE BOOK: “Good to Great,” by Jim Collins
GUILTY PLEASURE: Taking the morning off to chaperone a kindergarten class field trip

In the effort to help children achieve their full potential, Anna Cano-Morales understands the importance of mentors. “Every Dorothy needs her Scarecrow – a brilliant, guiding light that will help her to stay on course, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles,” she wrote in her 40 Under Forty application.
Cano-Morales calls veteran Rhode Island educator William Holland her “Scarecrow” – a true mentor, advocate and friend. As chairwoman of the Central Falls School Board of Trustees, she has looked to Holland, who served as acting superintendent, for wisdom. “Dr. Holland … has led by example, enabling me to champion the cause of quality public education for all children,” she said.
Throughout her career, Cano-Morales has undoubtedly served as a mentor to others. Since earning her bachelor’s degree in human development, counseling and family studies from the University of Rhode Island in 1990, she has been a social worker at Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education; SStarbirth; Providence Community Health Centers; Women & Infants Hospital; and Sunshine Health Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
She also spent two years volunteering as outreach director for Hispanic Evangelical Church’s Proyecto Puentes (Project Bridges). Cano-Morales developed and secured funding for an after-school, educational program serving children with English as a second language needs in Central Falls and Pawtucket.
Since then, she has earned a master’s degree in policy, administration and systems and become senior community philanthropy officer for The Rhode Island Foundation, where she has been since 2000.
As part of the leadership of the Community Philanthropy Department, Cano-Morales manages and develops a rich portfolio that includes regional and national affiliates. She also reviews and manages proposals, advocates for program funding, manages special funds and arranges discussions around critical community issues.
She is a board member for the Grantmaker’s Council of Rhode Island and Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s Rhode Island Child Care Facilities Fund.
But as passionate as she is about her career, Cano-Morales loves her family most. It is her husband, William, and their two sons, she said, who are her “pride and joy.”

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