In February 2013, Nicholas became the fourth Executive Director of The Partnership since its founding in 1990. His career spans over 25 years in government affairs, public relations and nonprofit management. He previously worked for the American Heart Association, Massachusetts Association for 766 Approved Private Schools, Sierra Club and The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island. He also has experience working in state government on health and environmental policy and has worked on multiple Presidential races and state office election campaigns. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Economics with a minor in Public Relations from the University of Hartford and a Master of Public Affairs from the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. His master’s thesis examined provider payment models under state Medicaid programs and offered solutions at the time for cost-effective delivery of services while financially sustaining providers of healthcare and education to pediatric patients with exceptional disabilities. He is a Certified Association Executive by the American Society of Association Executives and received the 2013 Rising Star Award from the New England Society of Association Executives. Nicholas is also a Freemason and a Shriner and spends his time volunteering to support Rhode Island’s children that need the services of Shriners Hospitals for Children New England in nearby Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts, as well as Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. He serves on the Board of Directors as Chair of the New England Society of Association Executives and on the Board of Governors for Shriners Hospitals for Children New England.