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.
Many attendees have inquired about ways to engage with GSSNE moving forward. Here are some ways to stay involved with Girl Scouts:
- Engage youth! Spread the word of Girl Scouting, especially as we expand into communities traditionally underserved by the Movement. Jordan Silva, our Director of Membership, would love to speak with you! Reach out at jsilva@gssne.org.
- Consider volunteering as a troop leader! Time commitment is flexible and joy is unlimited. Jordan can also help you get started as a volunteer! Email her at jsilva@gssne.org.
- Save the date! Join us at one of our upcoming events:
- Cookies & Cocktails will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Farm Fresh RI in Providence. At this event, local restaurants create culinary delights using Girl Scout Cookies!
- Girl Scout Glamping will be in September 2024! Recharge in nature while supporting Girl Scouts at this camp retreat with a touch of luxury.
- Cookies & Cocktails will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Farm Fresh RI in Providence. At this event, local restaurants create culinary delights using Girl Scout Cookies!
- Join Troop 1919, our first alum troop! This troop is creating a community with other Girl Scout alums who participate in events, gatherings, and camping opportunities. This troop will also serve as a mentor program. The next Troop 1919 meetup will be a volunteer opportunity at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank on December 29! Learn more and sign up at gssne.org/alum
AND DONATE! If you didn't have the chance to make a tax-deductible contribution at the event, please make your investment now.
At GSSNE, we are laser-focused on ensuring that Girl Scouting is the most relevant, engaging, and inclusive youth leadership development program available—and we are actively, mindfully, personally, professionally, and collectively focusing our energy on making sure that our work is available to ALL who want to be a part of the Girl Scout Movement. With your support, we are providing more financial aid, more free memberships, more transportation, more community-based programs, more partnerships with local community organizations, and more camperships than ever before. Please help us make sure our Girl Scouts, Woonsocket to Westerly, Foster to Fall River, are equally ready for badge-earning, peer-to-peer relationship building, individualized attention, mentoring, outdoor adventuring, and fun.
We hope you enjoyed your time with us, were inspired by our honorees, and feel energized by the Girl Scout Movement. We will share event photos on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok in the coming days!
Thank you again!
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Your friends at GSSNE
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
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
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!
2022 Honorees 
2021 Honorees
2020 Honorees
2019 Honorees
2018 Honorees
2017 Honorees
2016 Honorees
2015 Honorees
Thank you to our generous 2022 event sponsors
Signature Level Sponsor
Silver Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsors
Supporter Level Sponsors
