04/05/10 Business Leaders Chair Brighter Futures Fundraising Event    Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, and Michael F. Ryan, regional president-Rhode Island of National Grid, are co-chairs of “Brighter Futures,” an annual luncheon benefiting Family Service of RI. Ms. White, a North Kingstown resident, has served as president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce since October 2005.  In 2002 she earned the designation “Certified Chamber Executive,” the only chamber of commerce professional in the Ocean State to hold that distinction.  She’s a member of the board of trustees of the Narragansett Insured Tax Free Income Fund; a member of the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council; a board member of the Rhode Island Quality Institute, John F. White & Company, Inc., Dorcas Place Adult and Family Literacy Center, and the Business Development Company of Rhode Island.  She’s a member of the board of governors of the Rhode Island Commodores, and a member of the Providence College President’s Council.  She has served on the Brighter Futures fundraising committee for a number of years. Mr. Ryan, who co-chaired the Brighter Futures luncheon in 2007, has been with National Grid and its predecessor since 1994.  Prior to that, he served for eight years as the Rhode Island director of the office of Senator John H. Chafee.  He spent almost ten years in the executive branch of Rhode Island state government—first as a legislative assistant to the Lt. Governor and later as special assistant and press secretary to Governor J. Joseph Garrahy.  He’s vice chair of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, and chairman of Boys Town New England.  He’s a member of the board of governors of the Rhode Island Commodores and the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council. Mr. Ryan, of Warwick, serves on the boards of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, Navigant Credit Union, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, the Urban Collaborative, the Providence Journal Summertime Fund and the Rhode Island Quality Institute.  He’s a member of the Governor’s Growth Planning Council, a member of the Providence College President’s Council and the Junior Achievement CEO Council. “We’re fortunate to have the leadership of Mike and Laurie to guide this critical fundraiser for Family Service of Rhode Island,” said Margaret Holland McDuff, Family Service of Rhode Island CEO.  “We thank them for dedicating themselves to raising funds to help us care for abused children, families in poverty, and many other Rhode Islanders in need.” The Brighter Futures luncheon will take place on Wednesday, September 29, noon at the Rhode Island Convention Center.  The recipient of the 2010 Brighter Futures Award—given to a person or organization improving life for the Ocean State’s children—will be announced in the near future.  Past recipients include Congressman Patrick Kennedy; the Pawsox, the Boston Red Sox, and the Red Sox Foundation; Senator Jack Reed; Colonel Dean Esserman; and Mayor David Cicilline.