PROVIDENCE – When Karen G. DelPonte began her pursuit of a career in law, there was plenty to learn.
“I didn’t even know what a will was,” she told attendees of Providence Business News’ 2025 Business Women Awards event on Thursday. “But I did think I could put my skills to work to help others.”
Over a career spanning more than four decades, the last 29 with Providence-based Cameron & Mittleman, she has consistently done that, culminating in her recognition as this year’s Career Achievement winner.
DelPonte’s practice focuses on estate planning and she established the firm’s estate planning group.
She said her career achievement award reflects not only her own hard work, which began when she often “was the only female in a room full of men in suits,” but the help she received along the way. And she credited colleagues, clients and mentors with challenging her to “think harder and to be more persistent and precise.”
Hilina D. Ajakaiye, this year’s Outstanding Mentor, told the luncheon audience at the Providence Marriott Downtown that her award meant more to her than personal recognition.
“It’s about purpose, people and progress,” she said. “As a proud Ethiopian immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in 1987, I was raised with the belief that leadership is not about the seat you occupy but the space you create for others.”
It’s that belief, she said, that led her to found the R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference eight years ago.
"We are at an inflection point – not just in business, but in how we define leadership,” she said. “It’s no longer about being the loudest in the room. It’s about being the clearest in vision, the most courageous in values, and the most consistent in uplifting others.”
DelPonte and Ajakaiye were among 18 industry leaders and women to watch, along with 12 achievement honorees, recognized on Thursday. Approximately 240 people attended the sold-out event.
The annual program recognizes leading women in various business, government and nonprofit sectors and their work for their respective organizations.
A special section highlighting each honoree was published Friday as part of PBN’s May 23 print and digital editions. Along with DelPonte and Ajakaiye, the other 2025 PBN Business Women Awards honorees are:
Creative Services Industry Leader
Patti Watson, Taste Design Inc. owner and principal
Creative Services Woman to Watch
McKenzie Kapsimalis, Tric Agency Co. founder and chief marketing officer
Education Industry Leader
Ivelisse Sabater, SabaterLAB Foundation executive director
Education Woman to Watch
Shelby Perry, New England Institute of Technology adjunct professor
Financial Services Industry Leader
Kimberly Peckham, Webster Bank N.A. senior managing director
Financial Services Woman to Watch
Alissa Stanko, International Game Technology PLC director of finance
Government/Quasi-Government Industry Leader
Emily Martineau, R.I. Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives deputy director of communications
Government/Quasi-Government Woman to Watch
Cathy Schultz, R.I. Executive Office of Health and Human Services Governor’s Overdose Taskforce director
Health Care Services Industry Leader
Dayna Gladstein, Newport Mental Health CEO and president
Health Care Services Woman to Watch
Ashley Rimay, Indivior Inc. executive medical science liaison
Social Services/Nonprofit Industry Leader
Beth Bixby, Tides Family Services CEO
Social Services/Nonprofit Woman to Watch
Chiara Deltito-Sharrott, Rhode Island League of Charter Public Schools executive director
Professional Services Industry Leader
Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, Collette Travel Service Inc. CEO
Professional Services Woman to Watch
Katheryn Rattigan, Robinson & Cole LLP partner
Technical Services Industry Leader
Monika Soban, Amgen Rhode Island senior director of manufacturing
Technical Services Woman to Watch
Erin Read, Polaris MEP director of marketing
The 2025 Achievement Honorees are (listed alphabetically):
- Julia Broome, Kin Southern Table + Bar owner (Editor's note: Kin Southern Table + Bar has since ceased operations.)
- Gloria Chacón, Green View Tree Service LLC owner and licensed arborist
- Linda Greco, Linlocks Finds and Designs founder and owner
- Rebecca Johnson, Sylvan Learning Center franchise owner
- Debbie Martitz, Hope Cleaners owner
- Sarah McNeill, McNeill Children’s Institute founder
- Jenn Pohle, Nettle & Ash Therapeutic Services owner
- Katie Potter, Newport Chowder Co. LLC owner
- Britt Riley, The Haven Collection Inc. founder
- Barbara Thornton, Brewster Thornton Group Architects LLP partner
- Rebecca Twitchell, Half Full LLC founder and president
- Karen J. Bacon, Diversified Resources LLC president
Navigant Credit Union was the presenting sponsor for PBN’s 2025 Business Women Awards program. Amgen Rhode Island was the partner sponsor. Massage Envy and The Savory Grape Wine Shop were the event’s gift sponsors.
