Rhode Island Hosts Annual Business Women Awards Luncheon

Categories: Rhode Island Business NewsRhode Island News

Attendees networking and celebrating at the Rhode Island Business Women Awards Luncheon.

News Summary

On May 22nd, Rhode Island will celebrate outstanding women from various industries at the Business Women Awards Luncheon. The event, held at Aqua, includes a networking reception, gourmet lunch, and awards ceremony. Recognizing trailblazers in legal, educational, financial, health care, and other sectors, the luncheon aims to honor and highlight the achievements of distinguished women. Notable awards include the Career Achievement award and the Outstanding Mentor award, showcasing the impactful contributions of these women to their fields.

Rhode Island will host the annual Business Women Awards Luncheon on May 22nd, celebrating outstanding women in various industries who have made significant contributions to their fields. This prestigious event will be held at Aqua, featuring a networking reception followed by a gourmet lunch and an awards ceremony to honor the achievements of distinguished individuals.

The luncheon promises to be an engaging experience, as attendees will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and learn about the inspiring accomplishments of the honorees. Each winner will also be profiled in a Special Section, which will be distributed during the event, showcasing their work and the impact they have made in their respective fields.

This year’s awards recognize several notable women for their impressive careers and mentorship roles. Karen G. DelPonte, a prominent figure at Cameron & Mittleman, is set to receive the Career Achievement award for her exemplary contributions in the legal sector. Additionally, Hilina D. Ajakaiye from the R.I.S.E. Women’s Conference is being honored with the Outstanding Mentor award, recognizing her influence and support in nurturing other women’s professional growth.

The event will also highlight innovative and creative achievements, with Patti Watson, owner and principal at Taste Design Inc., receiving the Creative Services Woman to Watch accolade. In the realm of education, McKenzie Kapsimalis, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Tric Agency, has secured the title of Education Industry Leader, while Ivelisse Sabater, executive director of SabaterLAB Foundation, is honored as an Education Woman to Watch.

Recognized for their contributions to financial services, Shelby Perry, executive director at New England Institute of Technology, is named the Financial Services Industry Leader. Kimberly Peckham, senior managing director at Webster Bank N.A., earns the title of Financial Services Woman to Watch.

In government and quasi-government sectors, Alissa Stanko, director of finance at International Game Technology PLC, is honored as the Government/Quasi-Government Industry Leader. Emily Martineau, deputy director of communications for the R.I. Office of the Speaker of the House, is awarded as a Government/Quasi-Government Woman to Watch.

The health care services sector will be represented by Cathy Schultz, director of the Governor’s Overdose Taskforce at the R.I. Executive Office of Health and Human Services, who will receive the Health Care Services Industry Leader award. Dayna Gladstein, CEO and president of Newport Mental Health, is recognized as a Health Care Services Woman to Watch.

Ashley Rimay, executive medical science liaison at Indivior Inc., earns the title of Social Services/Nonprofit Industry Leader, while Beth Bixby, CEO of Tides Family Services, is acknowledged as a Social Services/Nonprofit Woman to Watch.

Chiara Deltito-Sharrott, executive director at Rhode Island League of Charter Public Schools, will receive the Professional Services Industry Leader award, and Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, CEO of Collette Travel Service Inc., is named a Professional Services Woman to Watch.

In the technical services field, Kathryn Rattigan, a partner at Robinson & Cole LLP, is recognized as the Technical Services Industry Leader, while Monika Soban, senior director of manufacturing at Amgen Rhode Island, is awarded as a Technical Services Woman to Watch.

Erin Read, senior marketing & communications manager at Polaris MEP, is actively contributing to the achievement honorees for 2025, ensuring a continued celebration of women’s accomplishments in the business realm.

This event serves as a platform to honor trailblazers, innovators, and leaders who are making a difference across various sectors, showcasing their dedication and hard work. For those interested in participating, sponsorship, advertising, and exhibitor opportunities are available.