Our Staff

Caroline Skuncik (Skoo-nick) is the Executive Director of the I-195 Redevelopment District. She oversees the organization's day-to-day activities including operations of 195 District Park, implements strategic initiatives, and leads all development activities associated with redeveloping 26 acres of former highway land.

Ms. Skuncik joined the District in 2017 and has been the Executive Director since 2019. In her tenure as Executive Director she has structured public-private partnerships resulting in more than 1.4 million square feet of completed, under construction, and planned development including residential, commercial, life science, and hospitality. Most recently she led the effort to forge a private-public partnership and successfully secure federal funds for the new Rhode Island State Health Labs/ PVD Labs. Prior to joining the District, Ms. Skuncik worked at the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation where she led the Corporation's real estate investment activities under the Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit and Tax Increment Financing programs. Her prior experience includes working for a Boston-area real estate developer managing large real estate projects as well as for planning and public policy consulting firms. Ms. Skuncik currently serves on the board of the Women's Development Corporation. 

Ms. Skuncik holds a Master in City Planning degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a BA in Sociology and Environmental Studies from the College of William and Mary.

Amber Ilcisko is the Director of Operations for the I-195 Redevelopment District. Ms. Ilcisko directs all operational and managerial matters for the District including its finances, procurement, property management, and regulatory and contract compliance. In addition, she is responsible for the management of 195 District Park. She also manages many of the District’s infrastructure and planning initiatives.

Prior to joining the District in 2015, she worked for the City of Providence for five years, serving three mayoral administrations. Most recently she worked with the City Planning Department. She held various other positions with the City as well, including roles with the Providence Redevelopment Agency, Department of Arts Culture and Tourism, and Office of Economic Development. 

She has a Master's degree in Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Community Planning from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University.

Sarina Conn is the Office Manager for the I-195 Redevelopment District. She is responsible for the coordination of operations and management for the District, administering Commission meetings, accounting support, procurement, website support, and contract compliance as well as other departmental duties.  
 
Prior to joining the District in the Spring of 2022, Ms. Conn worked for several years in office management and operations management. She has a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Johnson & Wales University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Rhode Island College. 

Jacob Nathan is the Park Manager for 195 District Park, the seven-acre park located in the I-195 Redevelopment District. He is responsible for the day to day operations of the park, including coordinating the park’s use and its various contractors, managing vendors, overseeing the budget, and developing and executing programming.

Prior to joining the District in the Fall of 2020, Mr. Nathan was the Director of Live Arts at AS220 in downtown Providence where he oversaw multiple performance venues and special event production. He was also a Program Coordinator at the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy where he assisted in the production of a summer series of family programs at Burnside Park in Kennedy Plaza.

He has a Master’s Degree in Communications from Clark University where he also obtained his dual major BA in Communications and Music.

Leah Paladino is the Assistant Park Manager for 195 District Park.  She is responsible for daily park programming, including supervising the park’s programming staff and overseeing daily set-up. She works closely with the Park Manager to execute events of all sizes and leads any necessary required permitting, licensing, and compliance for park activities.
 
Prior to joining the team in March of 2024, Ms. Paladino held a supervisory role at Roger Williams Park Zoo, coordinating the daily operations of the admissions team.  She also spent three seasons as a Program Coordinator with the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy, bringing cultural events and family-friendly activities to Burnside Park and Kennedy Plaza.  She is well-versed in visitor services, community placemaking, and public programming. 
 
She holds a bachelor’s degree in childhood education from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY.

Lauren Bullock is the Lead Park Program Coordinator for 195 District Park. Her responsibilities include daily park maintenance, on-site support for programming, creating social media content, and assisting with marketing initiatives to promote upcoming events.

 Ms. Bullock’s work experience includes office administration, event planning, social media marketing, and video editing. She holds a digital media production certificate from Emerson College and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Business Administration from Salve Regina University.