Staff

Minister of Music

(she/her)
(401) 228-1366 (secure voicemail)
music@beneficentchurch.org

Beginning piano lessons at age 7, Frances has strived to share and expand her music career. While still in high school, she joined The Good News Kids, an ecumenical singing group that toured the country spreading the gospel. During those same years, Frances started studying piano at the University of Rhode Island. After graduating high school, she enrolled at Roger Williams University majoring in music and theatre. Frances was accepted into their extended-course program in London, England, where she spent a year in advanced studies.

To “support” her career in music, Frances started working as an insurance field examiner in Boston. She continued for the next fifteen years working as an examiner by day, and working cabarets, supper clubs and theaters at night in Boston, MA and Chicago, IL.

In 2007, Frances returned “home” to church. She became the Music Director at Community Baptist Church in Newport, RI in 2007. In 2011, she took the position of Worship Leader at Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church in Silver Spring, MD. 2013 brought Frances to Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Newport, RI as their Director of Music Ministry. She also is the Artistic Director of RPM Voices of Rhode Island.

Finance Manager

(she/her)
(401) 228-1368 (secure voicemail)
finance@beneficentchurch.org

Heather brings more than 15 years of nonprofit experience to her role as Beneficent’s Finance Manager, with a focus on process improvement to ensure consistency and transparency. Her proficiency in QuickBooks and varied work history make her a perfect fit for the wide variety of tasks required of our Finance department.

After attending Salve Regina University in Newport, Heather completed several accounting courses at Community College of Rhode Island while working a full-time job as an office manager. She’s worked for a number of nonprofit organizations in the area – including a theater company, Jewish synagogue, and a local farm which is also on the National Register of Historic Places.Born and raised in Rhode Island, Heather is an avid reader, always trying new culinary skills or can be found on the beach collecting sea glass. She also is the mother of two children, one cat, and two dogs.

Social Media/Office Manager

(he/him)
(401) 331-9844
officemanager@beneficentchurch.org

As a teenager, Charlie once hacked into his pastor’s computer and re-wrote the church website to proclaim undying support for the Patriots, as opposed to the Pittsburg Steelers. Born and raised in New England, Charlie considered this display of regional loyalty to be morally justifiable (although neither his parents nor church staff agreed).

Since then, he’s decided it’s probably best to use his tech powers for The Greater Good, opting to utilize his skillset for more creative, artistic, and empowering pursuits. Charlie loves the color blue, owns a cat who still refuses to help pay the rent, and will never turn down a slice of pizza.

Church Receptionist; Door Attendant; Parking Attendant

(she/her)

Kelsey is a sophomore at Johnson & Wales University, majoring in Exercise and Sport Science. She plans to attend graduate school nearby to become a doctor of sports medicine. Kelsey competes on JWU’s Varsity Equestrian team and has been competitively riding horses for 15 years. She owns two horses, Dolly and Guinness.

Originally from southeastern Massachusetts, Kelsey lived in Virginia from 2013 to 2023. College and family brought her back to New England, where she now lives with her roommate, Ally, and her cat, Nova. She enjoys spending time with her nephew, Harrison, and watching a good Netflix show.

A/V Technician

(he/him)
(401) 753-2773 (text only)
av@beneficentchurch.org

Will Cooley, born and raised in the city of Orlando, FL., was immersed from a young age in the world of music that fueled his fascination with audio and technology. As a teenager, he spent countless hours experimenting with recording equipment, learning the fundamentals of sound engineering, and honing his technical skills. This early exposure laid a solid foundation for shaping his dual interests in both performing and producing music. 

After high school, Will spent the next five years performing across the southeast, playing both intimate gigs and larger venues. Drawing on his experiences from Orlando, New York, and every stop in between, Will currently spends his time in Rhode Island blending his technical and creative capabilities to produce high-quality audio and video content. 

Along with ongoing regular performances, Will tutors aspiring musicians, drawing immense satisfaction from sharing his knowledge with others. In addition to such a fulfilling and dynamic professional life, Will enjoys balancing his work by spending time with his family. He looks to his future with excitement, eager to embrace whatever new challenges and opportunities wait for him on this journey.

Nursery Attendant

(she/her)

Sharon has been an early-childhood educator for 35 years. She likes to travel the world and reads lots of books, and she brings that spirit to her care of Beneficent’s youngest.

Nursery Attendant

(he/him)

Stiven – who joined the Beneficent team in 2024 – loves building Legos® with his cousins, watching Marvel movies, and perfecting his planting hobby. He spends his free time reading a good book, or volunteering at community art programs.

Parking Attendant

(he/him)

Cory joined the Beneficent team in 2024.