Meet Shelley

Shelley Ciccia-Peterson is a Peruvian-born American who has proudly called Providence's Ward 14 home for more than two decades. Her story is one of perseverance, service, and a deep understanding of the challenges many working families face. Arriving in the United States as a young child, Shelley quickly learned the importance of adaptation and responsibility. As the oldest sibling in an immigrant family, she often helped her parents navigate unfamiliar systems, translate information, and adjust to life in a new country. Those early experiences taught her the value of hard work, resilience, and advocacy, lessons that continue to guide her leadership today.

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Growing up in East Providence, Shelley experienced firsthand the realities of financial hardship and the sacrifices her parents made to create opportunities for their children. Homeownership was a dream her parents worked tirelessly to achieve, and when they finally purchased a home, Shelley witnessed both the pride and struggle that came with building stability as a working-class family. Those experiences shaped her understanding of why affordable housing, neighborhood stability, and economic opportunity matter so deeply to residents. They also inspired her determination to pursue education as a pathway forward. Shelley became the first person in her family to graduate from college and later the first to earn a master's degree.

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After attending college in Boston, Shelley built a career in the nonprofit sector, where she developed a passion for community development, education, and helping organizations secure resources that create meaningful change. Today, as the founder and president of Grant Your Way, LLC, she has helped organizations secure millions of dollars in funding to support workforce development, education, public services, and community initiatives throughout Rhode Island and beyond.

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Life presented Shelley with another challenge when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2017. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to define her, she chose to face it with the same determination that had guided her throughout her life. Living with MS has deepened her understanding of the obstacles many individuals and families face when navigating healthcare, accessibility, employment, and daily life. It has strengthened her belief that government should work for everyone, especially those who often feel overlooked or unheard. Her journey with MS has reinforced the importance of resilience, compassion, and advocating for systems that provide opportunity and support for all residents.

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Shelley's commitment to service led her to seek elected office, bringing her lived experience and professional expertise to the Providence City Council. Since taking office as the Ward 14 Councilwoman, she has focused on protecting neighborhood quality of life, increasing transparency in government, and ensuring residents have a strong voice in decisions that affect their communities. She has been a leading advocate for responsible development, working to address the challenges posed by the rapid expansion of off-campus student housing and advocating for policies that preserve neighborhood character while balancing growth. She has championed initiatives to improve public safety, strengthen housing protections, beautify public spaces, and ensure city resources are distributed fairly across neighborhoods.

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As Vice Chair of the Ordinance Committee and a member of several key council committees and task forces, Shelley has worked to advance legislation that puts residents first. She has advocated for stronger neighborhood protections, housing stability, youth opportunities, and equitable access to city services. She has consistently fought to ensure that residents, not special interests, remain at the center of policy decisions. Her leadership is rooted in the belief that government works best when it listens to the people it serves and when elected officials remain accessible, accountable, and responsive.

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A mother of two, Shelley and her husband Doug have long been active members of the community. Doug volunteers as a coach with Elmhurst Youth Baseball, while Shelley has supported numerous neighborhood improvement efforts, including playing a founding role in the renovation and revitalization of all four parks in W14. She believes that investing in parks, recreation, and community spaces creates opportunities for young people to discover new interests, build confidence, and strengthen connections with their neighborhoods.

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Shelley's upbringing, professional experience, and personal challenges continue to shape how she leads. She understands what it means to work hard, overcome adversity, and fight for opportunities that others may take for granted. Whether advocating for families struggling with rising costs, seniors on fixed incomes, students pursuing their education, individuals living with disabilities, or residents concerned about the future of their neighborhoods, she leads with empathy, determination, and a commitment to delivering results.

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For Shelley, public service is about more than passing legislation. It is about building trust, creating opportunity, and ensuring every resident feels heard, respected, and represented. Her life experiences have taught her that meaningful change happens when people are willing to listen, work together, and stand up for those whose voices are too often left out of the conversation. She remains committed to working alongside Ward 14 residents to preserve what makes their neighborhoods special while building a stronger, more inclusive Providence for future generations.