About
Sarnya Kunchithapatham Pichaiyappa (KP), LICSW, joined the Economic Progress Institute Board in October 2024.
Sarnya is an independently licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in providing trauma-focused care for children and families by implementing evidence-based treatments, while always prioritizing the cultural sensitivities of the families she works with. Sarnya believes in building a community that prevents victimization, and she has been doing that as a Project Director of School-Based programs at Family Services of Rhode Island recently. Sarnya left a profitable software profession and switched careers to social work seven years ago. Her academic and professional transitions reflect a deep commitment to empowering vulnerable populations, particularly women.
Along with her professional endeavors, Sarnya has committed herself to involvement in the community. She has received various accolades including Providence Business News’ 40 under 40 award, the Girl Scouts’ Leading Women of Distinction award, and recognitions from RI government officials on her community contributions with an equity and social justice lens. She also has been featured as Resilience Honoree in the Faces of Woonsocket art exhibit for her migration story. Sarnya is a graduate of Equity Leadership Initiative Cohort 3 at the Rhode Island Foundation and is currently a fellow of Women’s Policy Institute at Women’s Fund of Rhode Island.
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