PBN honors local business women

By PBN Staff
Twitter: @ProvBusNews

PROVIDENCE – Exceptional women from Rhode Island businesses in six industry categories, as well as a leading career achiever and an outstanding mentor, were chosen for Providence Business News’ fifth annual Business Women Awards program.

Merrill W. Sherman of Sherman Consulting and former CEO of Bank Rhode Island will be honored for overall career achievement, while Kathryn Shanley, Delta Dental’s vice president of external affairs, was named PBN’s outstanding mentor.

Other 2012 winners by category are:

• Creative Services – Industry Leader: Cathy Demain Mann, president, Creative Impressions

• Creative Services – Woman to Watch: Carolyn Rafaelian, owner and founder, Alex and Ani Inc.

• Financial Services – Industry Leader: Kristin Fraser, managing partner, KPMG LLP

• Financial Services – Woman to Watch: Carol DeNale, senior vice president, CVS Caremark Corp.

• Health Care Services – Industry Leader: Sandra Coletta, CEO, Kent Hospital

• Health Care Services – Woman to Watch: Shanna Marzilli, executive vice president, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

• Professional Services – Industry Leader: Linn Foster Freedman, partner, Nixon Peabody LLP

• Professional Services – Woman to Watch: Sheri Pizzi, partner, Taylor Duane Barton & Gilman LLP

• Social Services – Industry Leader: Deborah Gist, commissioner, R.I. Department of Education

• Social Services – Woman to Watch: Jessica David, vice president, Rhode Island Foundation

• Technical Services – Industry Leader: Marie Carlino, IT director, Textron Inc.

• Technical Services – Woman to Watch: Karen Colby, senior project manager, Gilbane Inc.

The Achievement Honorees for 2012 are:

• Joyce Fastino, Personnel People

• Maria Gemma, Gloria Gemma Foundation

• Emily Hall, Union Studio

• Eileen Hayes, Amos House

• Jane Linden, Providence River Animal Hospital

• Carol Nulman, Oppenheimer & Co.

• Luz Arteaga Pray, Hairspray Salon

• Miriam Ross, Miriam Ross Law Offices

• Julie Sygiel, Sexy Period

• Jacquelyn Tracy, Mandel and Tracy

• Lavinia Velazquez, Clinica Esperanza

• Kristin Zhivago, Zhivago Management

Winners will be honored at a luncheon at the Providence Marriot on May 31.