GSSNE's Leading Women of Distinction Awards is a unique breakfast fundraising event that celebrates local outstanding women.
First launched in 2015, Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England's Leading Women of Distinction is a unique breakfast fundraising event that celebrates outstanding local women. This event brings together community leaders and professionals to honor the achievements of these inspiring women.
Save the date for the 2026 event!
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Squantum Association
947 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Riverside, RI
Nominations for this year's honorees will open this summer.
Leading Women of Distinction Honorees lead by example and exemplify the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place—the women who demonstrate qualities of leadership and excellence in their lives.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England (GSSNE) is able to celebrate our Leading Women of Distinction Honorees thanks to the support of businesses and corporations who are advocates of balanced leadership— those who recognize that gender equality supports business success and growth. These businesses know that supporting Girl Scouts feeds our community’s leadership pipeline. Check out the link below to learn the benefits your business receives by sponsoring our event. You can also submit your sponsorship payment online through our donation form!
If you have any questions about sponsoring this or any other event, please contact Lisa Ducharme at lducharme@gssne.org.
Past Honorees
Through the years, GSSNE has honored 71 Leading Women, representing many industries, organizations, and skill sets. We’ve shined a light on those that lead the way in their community by going above and beyond to help others. From teachers to executives, small business owners to CEOs, community pillars to emerging talent, Leading Women of Distinction provides a stage to recognize the hard work it takes to exemplify bravery, empathy, and drive. Learn more about our past honorees below!
2025 Honorees 
The 2025 honorees:
- Katherine Hypolite-MacMannis, Communications & Event Manager, Providence College
- Laura Jaworski, Executive Director, House of Hope CDC
- Katherine Kazarian, House Majority Whip, Rhode Island House of Representatives
- Corinne (Cori) Kilzi, Associate Executive Director, Newport County YMCA
- Cortney Nicolato, President/CEO, United Way of Rhode Island
- Ellen Pinnock, Director of Community Engagement & Equity, FabNewport
- Rebecca Twitchell, Founder/President, half full, llc
- Kilah Walters-Clinton, Director of Equity & Community Engagement, RI Executive Office of Health & Human Services
Proceeds from the 2025 event support Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England programming in communities most underserved by the Movement.
Thank you to our generous 2025 event sponsors
Premier Presenting Sponsor
Premier Gold Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsors
Supporter Level Sponsors
Gifts in Kind
Pearl necklace donated by Imperial Pearl
Headshots of our Leading Women were taken and donated by Alan Hubbard from Photo By Friday
Honoree gifts by Gail Ahlers of Ahlers Designs
2024 Honorees
2023 Honorees
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the 2023 Leading Women of Distinction Awards!
Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2023 Leading Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony, and to those who supported the event but were unable to attend!
We thank our honorees, Anita Bruno, Lisa Guillette, Dr. Deb Myers Meilun, Ayana Melvan, Dimetra Nettles, Monsurat Ottun, Lisa Ranglin, and Amy Walsh for the outstanding commitment and contributions they have made. Each of them has identified issues in their community that are important to them, and are using their voices and extraordinary skills to make a difference. We want our Girl Scouts of today to see women who show up as full human beings, who have experiences across sectors and geographies, diverse backgrounds, and upbringings … and who have excelled.
We would also like to thank Alisha Pina, our outstanding emcee; our other 32 award nominees; our generous event sponsors; the local elected officials who were able to join us; and our Leading Women of Distinction Awards Committee, led by Peg Ruggieri.
2023 Leading Women of Distinction Honorees:
- Anita Bruno, CEO/Founder, Women in the Trades
- Lisa Guillette, Executive Director, Foster Forward
- Dr. Deb Myers Meilun, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital
- Ayana Melvan, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships for Mission Programs, Mystic Aquarium
- Dimetra Nettles, Chief Clinical Laboratory Scientist, State of Rhode Island
- Monsurat Ottun, Cybersecurity Advisor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Lisa Ranglin, President/CEO, Rhode Island Black Business Association
- Amy Walsh, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase
2022 Honorees
2021 Honorees
2020 Honorees
2019 Honorees
2018 Honorees
2017 Honorees
2016 Honorees
2015 Honorees
