Five Questions With: Barbara Cottam

BARBARA COTTAM is executive vice president, head of corporate affairs and Rhode Island market executive for Citizens Bank, as well as chairman of the Citizens Charitable Foundation. / COURTESY CITIZENS BANK
BARBARA COTTAM is executive vice president, head of corporate affairs and Rhode Island market executive for Citizens Bank, as well as chairman of the Citizens Charitable Foundation. / COURTESY CITIZENS BANK

Barbara Cottam joined Citizens Bank in 1994 as Rhode Island director of public affairs. She now directs public affairs, corporate giving and marketing sponsorships throughout the company’s commercial and retail banking footprint. In addition, she serves as chairman of the Citizens Charitable Foundation. Cottam received her bachelor’s degree in business marketing and business management from Providence College and has completed executive development programs at Harvard Business School, INSEAD and Wharton’s Aresty Institute.

PBN: Why did Citizens Bank choose Amos House to be a recipient of its Champions in Action recognition?

COTTAM: Our Champions in Action program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and recognizes their contributions to the community. Our first 2017 Champion award is in the category of addiction prevention and treatment services, and Amos House is an organization that has a track record of success in making a difference in the lives of individuals. They offer recovery-based shelter for those who are battling homelessness and addiction, helping individuals move from crisis and active addiction to housing, sobriety and long-term stability. Their program provides life-changing job training and educational opportunities that people need to attain self-reliance. It’s about resources, support, skills and opportunity as a pathway to a new life.

PBN: The award was presented in the category of addiction prevention and treatment services. Why does Citizens Bank think it is important to highlight nonprofits that work in this sector?

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COTTAM: This is the first time we have offered this category and it could not be more timely. Across the country, addiction and overdose are taking and destroying the lives of our friends and families – at increasing levels. Since 2002, rates of heroin addiction have doubled and heroin-related overdose deaths have nearly quadrupled in the United States. It is an epidemic that is gaining national attention, and here in Rhode Island, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo launched an initiative to focus on reducing deaths due to addiction. We felt that this was a topic that needed to be kept front and center in the public conversation. Citizens is proud to honor Amos House with this recognition, and with our Champions in Action partner [WJAR-TV] NBC 10, to put a spotlight on the serious issue of addiction in our state.

PBN: Does Citizens Bank believe there is an increasing demographic in Rhode Island who is vulnerable to drug or alcohol addiction?

COTTAM: According to the R.I. Department of Health, drug overdoses in Rhode Island are a public health crisis. The number of deaths in all age categories has been increasing. Over the past five years, Rhode Island has lost more than 1,000 people to drug overdoses. The average success rate of helping individuals achieve sobriety and housing is 33 percent – at Amos House it is 73 percent. Amos House has made an enormous impact in Rhode Island and in the lives of those who are recovering from addiction.

PBN: What do you hope the greater public takes away from the recognition of this nonprofit, which serves fellow Rhode Islanders who are homeless or in crisis? Do you want this to spark further action by the public to combat addiction?

COTTAM: The Champions in Action program is designed to bring widespread visibility to our selected champion through the coverage provided by our media partner NBC 10. Mario Hilario’s coverage and stories of the programs at Amos House serve two purposes: 1) To showcase to those who are in crisis, their families and friends that there is hope for them through Amos House’s housing and job training programs; and 2) To focus Rhode Islanders’ attention on those in crisis and how each of us supporting them betters not only the individual, but our entire state. We hope that the visibility given to the work of our “champion” touches Rhode Islanders emotionally and encourages them to financially support an organization that has a proven track record of providing sustainable and results-oriented work.

PBN: What do you think is the state of philanthropy in Rhode Island today? Are enough people who have the means to do so supporting those in need?

COTTAM: Philanthropy in Rhode Island is difficult. A few years ago, the Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked the state 47th nationally for charitable giving. I think too few people are contributing financially and too many programs overlap. At Citizens, we view one of our roles as a community leader to convene other community leaders and nonprofit partners to bring a “collective impact” to life.

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