Councilor and Vice Chair Connolly is a Newport native. She graduated from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, B.A.; Rhode Island College, MEd; completed graduate studies at Providence College, University of Rhode Island, Salve Regina University and Southern New England School of Law.

Ms. Connolly is a former Special Education teacher for the Newport Public Schools and a former Director of Special Education for the Newport Public Schools. Currently, Ms. Connolly is a Professional Lecturer in the Education Department at Salve Regina University.

She is a Trustee for St. Joseph's Church, maintains a seat on the Board of Governors for Newport Health Care Corporation and on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Newport Public Library.

She is a member of St. Joseph's Parish Council, the ARC, NAACP and the Point Association.