About
Donna Marie Rook, Ph.D. joined the Economic Progress Institute Board in October 2026
Donna serves as Administrator of Family & Adult Services at the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, where she has expanded services to address behavioral health and housing stabilization alongside other essential needs. Her career spans child protective services, behavioral health, and safety net programs in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, with a consistent focus on strengthening social service systems and expanding access to critical resources. She developed a statewide housing crisis hotline in NJ, added behavioral services to the Rhode Island Works program and developed a housing stability pilot for the residents of Rhode Island.
Throughout her career, Donna has championed a comprehensive approach to meeting basic needs, recognizing that food, housing, healthcare, and behavioral health services are interconnected and essential to individual and family well-being. She is committed to building programs and partnerships that help families thrive by addressing their needs holistically and investing in support as early in life as possible.
Beyond her professional work, Donna serves on the board of Cranston Cares, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the community together through care and action. A graduate of Leadership Rhode Island’s Chi II class, she values lifelong learning and community engagement. Outside of work, Donna enjoys traveling to experience new cultures, kayaking during the summer, and cultivating a sustainable vegetable garden.
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