About
RENEWport activates community to make Newport a city for all to thrive.
Led by two passionate community leaders, RENEWport brings together nonprofit and business leaders, government officials, community organizations, and citizens to tackle local challenges. RENEWport is committed to creating a caring pipeline into the public schools and connecting individuals of all ages with needed resources. By fostering engagement in thoughtful projects and events, RENEWport strengthens community bonds and helps all Newport residents flourish.
Team
Susan Sipprelle
Co-President
Read Bio
Susan is a documentary filmmaker, founder of Tree of Life Productions, as well as the nonprofit RENEWport. She produced and directed the award-winning films Set for Life (based on the multimedia project Over 50 and Out of Work), Soldier On: Life After Deployment and NEWPORT: In This Together. Her films are distributed by American Public Television. She is a member of New York Women in Film and Television and serves on the boards of newportFILM and the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
Ellen Pinnock
Co-President
Read Bio
A lifelong Newporter and dedicated community leader, Ellen serves as Director of Community Engagement at FabNewport, where she supports students and families through education and advocacy. Ellen serves as Co-President of RENEWport and advisory board member for Salve Regina’s Pathways Program. Ellen’s work has been recognized with the Joan C. Arnold Community Service Award, the Salve Regina Living the Mission Community Partner Award, and the Unsung Heroes Award from CHUMS. in 2024, Ellen was elected to represent Ward 1 on the Newport City Council.
Cara Sipprelle
Vice President
Read Bio
Cara is a digital marketer with over a decade of experience leading online campaigns that activate thousands to reach and inspire millions. She helped launch and grow Success Academy Charter Schools’ digital presence and was elected and served as Communications Chair for the NYC Chapter of the Women’s March on Washington. Today, Cara is a freelance consultant who partners with mission-driven organizations, including RENEWport, and serves as Board Chair of Titus Sparrow Park in Boston.
Board
Susan Sipprelle, Board Chair
Taylor Ardito
Hakim Coggins
Ronald Machtley
Rev. Della Wager Wells
Partner Organizations
Contributing Members
Louisa Boatright
Rebecca Bolan
Maureen Cronin
Nycole Matthews
Kendra Muenter
Karen Piacentini
Ruth Thumbtzen
Martha Ullman
Join Us
We welcome members of the community to become engaged with RENEWport meetings, participate in our initiatives, and raise needs or projects for the group to tackle. If you would like to become involved, please email [email protected]