Over the last 10 years health-insurance companies have stressed the need for preventative health care and wellness programs. Well ahead of the curve in establishing these programs and evaluating their effectiveness are Janice M. Prochaska and her company, Pro-Change Behavior Systems Inc. of South Kingstown. more

Candace Simas grew up working in the office of her family’s Cumberland auto-body shop, but never thought she would end up running the place – until a crisis struck. more

Living in Italy was a dream come true for Jessica Ricci, even if the dream she ended up with was different than the one she planned. more

Julie A. Lancia has been the principal of ALX Group Inc., in North Providence, since it opened 12 years ago. “The ALX Group was started as a vehicle for me to start creating some different interior spaces, creating different pieces of furniture or cabinetry to fulfill the need that I had to create,” Lancia said. more

Lighting a home – or any space, really – is a tricky business. Such design work involves careful and intricate planning, establishment of sourcing, careful product selection and, finally, decoration that celebrates a job done well. more

When you combine a zeal for women’s advocacy and philosophy and throw in some courtroom expertise, you get Sheri L. Pizzi. more

On May 12, Deborah A. Gist, the Rhode Island commissioner of elementary and secondary education, added a new title to her name: doctor in educational leadership, from the University of Pennsylvania. more

The only person in control of your success is you. So says Carol DeNale, senior vice president and corporate treasurer of CVS Caremark Corp. more

Working with a brand-new hospital union and coming out on the positive side of an employee survey. Revamping an entire emergency department – an offshoot of a malpractice case. Establishing a breast health center. Creating an alliance with a major Boston hospital. All that would be a lot to accomplish over many years, but Sandra L. Coletta did it in just four. Coletta, president and CEO of Kent Hospital in Warwick, took the job in 2008, after putting in 25 years at The Miriam Hospital and Lifespan. And for her efforts, Coletta was named an Industry Leader in the category of health care services. more

She is an inspiration to many colleagues who say she climbed the corporate ladder with modesty and humility. Shanna Marzilli of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, has spent 18 years holding positions with increasing levels of responsibility at the state’s leading health insurer, which covers more than 600,000 members. more