PROVIDENCE – More than 300 of Rhode Island’s business leaders attended PBN’s 10th Business Women Awards luncheon Thursday at the Providence Marriott Downtown. The event celebrated the achievements of the 2017 class of 26 women, 14 nominated from the business community and recognized for the first time at the luncheon and 12 profiled monthly in Providence Business News. In addition, the event called out many of previous years’ winners for recognition.
The winner for Career Achievement, Rhode Island Hospital President Margaret M. “Peg” Van Bree, addressed the attendees at the end of the program and spoke to her own expectations and work life success. As a young woman, she said, she did not realize just how much hard work having a career would be, noting that achievement requires much more than owning the accoutrements, such as a briefcase.
Everyone needs science. Science needs everyone.
The Amgen Foundation is guided by the belief that all students should have the opportunity…
Learn More
Outstanding Mentor Tia Bush, vice president for site operations for Amgen Rhode Island, credited the mentors who have helped her along her career path. She said that without them, she would not be where she is today, and that recognition is a motivating factor for her to give back through mentorship to others.
The winners of the 2017 Business Women Awards program are profiled in a special section included in the May 26-June 1 issue of the newspaper. They are (by category):
- Creative Services – Industry Leader: Michelle Carney, vice president of strategic customer initiatives, International Game Technology PLC
- Creative Services – Woman to Watch: Felice Silvia, Uncas International Home of Crimzon Rose
- Financial Services – Industry Leader: Maria Barry, community development banking national executive, Bank of America Corp.
- Financial Services – Woman to Watch: Amy Martel, executive vice president and chief operating officer, People’s Credit Union
- Health Care Services – Industry Leader: Katrina Thompson-Burnett, director, ancillary services, Coastal Medical Inc.
- Health Care Services – Woman to Watch: Melissa Cummings, senior vice president and chief customer officer, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
- Professional Services – Industry Leader: Patricia Igoe, partner in charge, Robinson+Cole LLP
- Professional Services – Woman to Watch: Michelle Saunders, manager of organizational design and leadership, Ocean State Job Lot
- Social Services – Industry Leader: Margaret Holland McDuff, CEO, Family Service of Rhode Island
- Social Services – Woman to Watch: Erica Busillo Adams, development manager, The Autism Project
- Technical Services – Industry Leader: Theresa Baus, head, Technology Partnership Office, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport
- Technical Services – Woman to Watch: Julie Freshman, project manager/scientist, Ransom Consulting Inc.
The Achievement Honorees for 2017 are (listed alphabetically):
- Shannon Hughey Cornicelli, Dream Big Academy
- Louise Dinsmore, Partners in Philanthropy
- Karen Emma, Universal Wealth Management
- Anne-Marie Rosario Flores, Anne the Plumber
- Morgan Grefe, R.I. Historical Society
- Heidi Guerard, Heidi Hope Photographers
- Kristy Knoedler, Fellini Pizzeria
- Kelly Mendell, Mikel
- Lauren Motola-Davis, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
- Carol O’Donnell, CRM Modular Homes
- Sandi Tinyk, Barrington Community School
- Jennifer Torbett, Crestview Dental Associates
Partner sponsors for the program this year included Bryant University’s Executive Development Center, CVS Health Corp. and Citrin Cooperman.
