BEVERLY, Mass. — The Conference of New England (CNE) has announced its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Executive Board for the 2026-27 academic year, featuring four student-athletes representing three conference institutions.
Nichols College women's basketball student-athlete Angelina Coletti will serve as Chair, while Suffolk University women's ice hockey student-athlete Abby Sandler has been selected as Vice Chair. Johnson & Wales University (Providence) will be represented by two student-athletes on the Executive Board, with Susannah Brown serving as Engagement Lead and Brendan Flanagan as Communications Lead.
The CNE SAAC Executive Board provides leadership for the conference's student-athlete governance efforts and works alongside institutional SAAC representatives to elevate the student-athlete voice, strengthen connections across the conference and enhance the overall student-athlete experience throughout the CNE.
CHAIR — Angelina Coletti, Nichols
Coletti, a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, enters the 2026-27 academic year as a senior at Nichols, where she is pursuing a degree in General Business with concentrations in Management and Marketing. In addition to her role with the Bison women's basketball program, Coletti has established herself as a leader across the Nichols campus, serving as President of both the Class of 2027 Student Government Association and the Nichols Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
On the court, Coletti appeared in 25 games and made 23 starts during the 2025-26 season, establishing career highs in points, rebounds, assists and blocked shots. She has also earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition and is a two-time CNE Academic All-Conference honoree.
Following graduation, Coletti plans to pursue a career in business consulting, with the goal of helping organizations solve problems, improve operations and make a meaningful impact.
"SAAC is important to me because it gives student-athletes a voice and the opportunity to create meaningful change," Coletti said. "It brings together leaders from different schools who all share the same goal of improving the student-athlete experience. I'm grateful to be part of those conversations and to help represent the athletes in our conference while making a positive impact that extends beyond my own campus."
VICE CHAIR — Abby Sandler, Suffolk
Sandler, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native, is a defenseman for the Suffolk women's ice hockey program and is pursuing a degree in Marketing with a minor in Business Law. Following graduation, she plans to attend law school.
Sandler has been a contributor on the Rams' blue line during her first two collegiate seasons and was recognized as an American Hockey Coaches Association All-American Scholar following her first year at Suffolk.
Her involvement with SAAC is driven by the opportunity to provide student-athletes with a meaningful voice in their collegiate experience while creating a stronger and more connected athletic community. Sandler will help support that mission at the conference level as Vice Chair during the upcoming academic year.
ENGAGEMENT LEAD — Susannah Brown, Johnson & Wales (Providence)
Brown, a rising junior from Harwich, Massachusetts, is a two-sport student-athlete at Johnson & Wales, competing in both field hockey and women's lacrosse. She plays midfield/forward in field hockey and defense/midfield in lacrosse while pursuing a degree in Sports, Entertainment and Event Management with a minor in Criminal Justice. The Cape Cod native hopes to eventually work for the Boston Celtics or pursue a career with a sports agency representing athletes.
Brown joined SAAC during the 2025-26 academic year and served as one of the organization's treasurers. Her experience as a student-athlete has helped shape her interest in advocating for strong facilities, increased attendance and promotion of athletic events, and ensuring student-athletes have an avenue for support when challenges arise.
Brown appeared on the Wildcats' women's lacrosse roster as a sophomore in 2026 after beginning her collegiate career with the program in 2025. As the CNE's Engagement Lead, Brown will focus on creating connections, generating new ideas and increasing involvement among student-athletes throughout the conference.
COMMUNICATIONS LEAD — Brendan Flanagan, Johnson & Wales (Providence)
Flanagan, a Berkley, Massachusetts native, is a goaltender for the Johnson & Wales men's ice hockey program. An rising junior, he is majoring in Biology and plans to attend physician assistant school following graduation.
Flanagan views SAAC as an opportunity for student-athletes to make a positive impact not only within their own teams, but throughout their campuses and the conference as a whole. In his role as Communications Lead, he will help amplify the student-athlete voice and strengthen communication surrounding SAAC initiatives across the CNE.
Together, Coletti, Sandler, Brown and Flanagan will lead the CNE SAAC throughout the 2026-27 academic year, working with representatives from across the conference's member institutions to advance student-athlete priorities, promote engagement and community building, and create opportunities for student-athletes to have a meaningful voice in the conference experience.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE OF NEW ENGLAND
Originally founded in 1984 as the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), and reconstituted as the Conference of New England (CNE) in 2024, the CNE is an NCAA Division III athletic conference composed of 11 full member and eight associate member institutions throughout the New England region. Its membership aims to provide student-athletes with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence through high academic standards, quality competition and a meaningful student life. The Conference administers championships in 21 intercollegiate sports.