Our Team
Victor F. Capellan
Founder & CEO
Victor Capellan is an experienced executive leader in education with a demonstrated history of working with communities and families to ensure sustainable change that improves learning and life outcomes for children. He is strategic and innovative and is skilled in coalition-building, education reform, and social justice advocacy. He recently concluded his services as Senior Advisor to the Rhode Island Education Commissioner. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the Commissioner’s Strategic Advisory Team, the School Building Authority, and the Charter School Office, and he created the Office of Equity and Diversity. He served as Superintendent of Schools in Central Falls, where he launched a district improvement effort focused on equity, including creating the first dual-language school in the city. He is the former Assistant Superintendent in Fall River, Massachusetts, and served as Principal of the EBC High School in Brooklyn, NY. Victor is currently an adjunct professor at Providence College, where he serves as a Clinical Supervisor for students in the Graduate Program for School Leadership.
Victor has been a political advisor to many elected officials in Rhode Island, including serving as Co-Chair of Mayor Jorge Elorza’s campaign, Deputy Campaign Manager for Former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, and the Political Director for Former State Senator, Juan Pichardo.
He has served on several community boards, including the founding boards of Latino Dollars for Scholars and the RI Latino PAC (RILPAC). In addition, he served as Past President of Quisqueya en Accion and the Dominican-American National Roundtable. He has been a member of the Providence Zoning Board, the RI Nature Conservancy, the Narragansett Boy Scouts Council, and Rhode Island Hospital, as well as as Chair of the Rhode Island Kids Count Board of Directors and of Rhode Island Housing.
He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1992, a Master’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 1996, and a Master’s Degree in Education in 2002 from the University of Rhode Island.
Victor lives in Providence with his wife Diana, and their son, Luis Francisco.
Diana Capellan
Co-Founder of the Capellan Group
Diana is an inspiring figure with a wide range of achievements and a diverse educational background. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island via the Talent Development Program with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, she worked as a Case Manager, dedicating 10 years to helping individuals recovering from mental health illnesses reintegrate into their communities post hospitalization.
Diana followed her dreams to obtain a degree in Pastry Arts from Johnson and Wales University. Her entrepreneurial spirit led to create D'Licious Dessert, a latin-infused cake and cupcake small business. She won Rhode Island Food Fights Best Cupcake award for 2 consecutive years, hosted sold out beer & cupcake tastings alongside craft breweries plus wine & cupcakes at local vineyards, before devoting herself full time to motherhood.
Diana has devoted her time in service to her community and to helping others succeed. She currently serves as Vice president of Rhode Island Latino Dollars for Scholars, where she chaired two major fundraising events –the Latino Food and Wine Festival and Annual Awards Banquet - to provide scholarships for college to Rhode Island's Latino students. Diana was part of the Winter Bash Board with Providence Preservation Society which produces an annual large-scale fundraiser each year. She is also a member of the United Way Community Advisory Board
Diana is the Co-Founder The Capellan Group, an education consulting firm, where she is responsible for finance, human resources, and project management.
Diana is Rhode Island born and bred; she was born in Providence, RI of Colombian parents who immigrated to RI in the early 80’s. She is a product of the Providence Public Schools system. She is married to Victor Capellan and they have a son, Luis Francisco.