Nominations are Now Open for the 2024 Leading Women of Distinction Awards
First launched in 2015, Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England's Leading Women of Distinction is a unique breakfast fundraising event that celebrates local outstanding women of courage, confidence, and character! Each year, we celebrate and honor leading women who:
- Lead by example, exemplify the Girl Scout mission, and make the world a better place
- Demonstrate qualities of leadership and excellence in their personal and professional life
- Are exemplary role models for the current and next generation
Through the years, GSSNE has honored over 40 Leading Women, representing many industries, organizations, and skill sets. We’ve shined a light on those who 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.
This year, consider nominating exceptional women for this special honor. The Leading Women of Distinction Selection Committee will consider nominations of women of all ages and backgrounds who have contributed to the community through professional, family, volunteerism, and/or personal endeavors.
Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice in our work. From its founding in 1912 by a single woman with a disability, to our 1950s national prioritization of racial integration and our early support and commitment to the LGBTQ community, the Girl Scout Movement has pushed, and continues to push for equitable access and justice for all. In our Movement, diversity is a hallmark of our membership, equity is at the heart of our foundation, and inclusivity is a cornerstone of our culture—being accepted as you authentically are, being a part of something, and mattering to others—is at our core.
Awards criteria:
- Nominee is over 18 years of age and identifies as a woman or gender nonbinary individual.
- Nominee does not have to be a former or current member of Girl Scouts.
- Nominee should live or work in the geographic area that Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England serves (all of Rhode Island; Pawcatuck, CT; 13 communities in southeastern MA: Bellingham, Blackstone, Attleboro, Fall River, North Attleboro, Plainville, Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Wrentham, Millville, Rehoboth, and Seekonk)
- Nominee has demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of life in the community.
- Nominee has demonstrated sustained excellence, accomplishment, and creativity in the sphere of her chosen profession, in her family, and/or in her personal endeavors.
- The nominee’s traits and accomplishments align with the Girl Scout Mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
The nomination deadline is June 30, 2024. Honorees will be notified by July 19. The Awards breakfast will be held on October 31, 2024 at the Squantum Association in Riverside, RI.
Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England (GSSNE) is able to celebrate these women 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.
Past Honorees
Through the years, GSSNE has honored over 40 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!
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
Thank you to our generous 2023 event sponsors
Signature Level Sponsor
Silver Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsors
Supporter Level Sponsors
