GSEMA Leading Women Awards 2023 | Program Book

30th Anniversary

Celebration

Leading Women Awards

Recognizing leaders who serve as exemplary role models for today’s Girl Scouts.

March 23, 2023

Sheraton Boston Hotel

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SENIOR SPONSOR

JUNIOR SPONSORS

BROWNIE SPONSORS

• CVS Health

• Eastern Bank Foundation

• Fresh Picks Café

• Lindauer

• MFS Investment Management

• P&G Gillette

DAISY SPONSORS

• AAFCPAs

• Brown & Brown of MA, LLC

• Cambridge Trust Charitable Foundation

• Carol Sapoznik

• GoTo Worldwide

• Kelly Corwin

• Kimberly Hyland

• MA Business Roundtable

• PwC

• Rockland Trust Bank

• TD Garden

Beth Chandler President & CEO, YW Boston

Beth Chandler joined YW Boston in November 2012, with more than 20 years of experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. In August 2018, she was appointed President & CEO of the company. Her breadth of work experience encompasses program development, delivery and evaluation, business development, and operations.

Prior to working at YW Boston, Beth served as vice president at the Achievement Network, a national non-profit dedicated to helping urban public and charter schools close the achievement gap.

Additionally, Beth held positions at the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, the largest funding source for civil legal aid programs in the Commonwealth; and Neighborworks America, one of the country’s preeminent leaders in affordable housing and community development.

Beth also worked as a corporate banking associate with Bank of America in corporate banking, and began her career as a research and evaluation analyst with the Urban Institute.

Currently, Beth serves on the Eastern Bank Board of Advisors, TSNE-MissionWorks Board of Directors, the Women’s Workforce Advisory Council, and the Leadership Circle of Hope Central Church. In 2022, Beth was appointed to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston (MFA) Board of Trustees.

A former professional basketball player, Beth received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University, and her MBA from Columbia Business School.

Melodie Knowlton Senior Director of Community Affairs and Global Head of STEAM Education, Vertex

Pharmaceuticals

Melodie Knowlton, Senior Director of Community Affairs & Global Head of STEAM Education at Vertex, is a strategic thinker, dynamic speaker, and visionary leader who moves with excellence, creativity, urgency, and purpose. She uses her background as a scientist, educator, people leader, and community partner to maximize the benefit of corporate social responsibility initiatives and corporate giving for both the community and industry stakeholders.

Melodie currently leads Vertex’s STEAM Education function and drives the strategy and execution of the outreach activities. Since joining Vertex in 2016, Melodie has transformed the Learning Lab into a global outreach program that impacts the communities in Boston, San Diego, and Oxford through the creation and expansion of STEM opportunities to students who have not always had access to hands-on and paid science experiences.

Prior to Vertex, Melodie worked as a teacher and department chair at The Cambridge School of Weston. She also served as an instructor at the Harvard Extension School, and completed postdoctoral research at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.

Melodie earned her Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from Harvard University, and earned a B.S. in Biology from Ohio State University.

Amy Latimer President, TD Garden and Chief Development Officer, Delaware North

Amy Latimer is President of TD Garden, one of the most active, highly regarded, and successful sports and entertainment venues in North America. Amy also works directly with Delaware North, the owner and operator of TD Garden, by overseeing its client and contract retention support and enabling base business growth.

In 2012, Amy was named president of the arena. Under her leadership, TD Garden has transformed. As arena president, she has led a $70 million, floor-to-ceiling renovation in 2015 and a multilevel, $100+ million, 50,000-square-foot expansion of the arena which opened to the public in 2019.

A recognized leader in the sports and arena industry, Amy was named one of Sports Business Journal’s Game Changer in 2011, WISE Woman of the Year in 2015, and a Boston Business Power Player in 2017 by Boston Magazine. With Amy at the helm, TD Garden has been consistently ranked among The Boston Globe’s Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Boston, and she continues to raise the profile for Boston’s premier sports and entertainment arena by attracting national and international events.

The native of Ellicott City, MD received her degree in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island, which she attended on a full basketball scholarship.

Isis Ortiz-Belton Vice President, Eastern Bank and President, ALPFA Boston

Isis Ortiz-Belton is a financial services and banking professional with over 12 years of credit risk, corporate finance, and underwriting experience. She is a Vice President, Portfolio Manager at Eastern Bank where she manages a portfolio of commercial banking relationships with a broad array of middle market and security alarm companies. Prior to joining the team at Eastern Bank, Isis was Vice President, Portfolio Manager at Citizen’s Bank and has previously held positions at Santander Bank and at John Hancock Financial Services.

Isis is an active community leader and diversity, equity and inclusion champion. She’s a strong advocate for the education and financial literacy of minority students and the rights of women, BIPOC, and those identifying as LGBTQ+. Notably, Isis is the President for the Boston chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), the first and largest Latino professional association serving over 100,000 professional and student members across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Isis earned her B.A. in Mathematics and her B.A. in Business Management from Emmanuel College, her Master of Science in Finance from the New England Institute of Business at Cambridge College, and her Master of Business Administration from Bentley University.

Jane Steinmetz Managing Principal EY Boston Office

Jane is the managing partner of the EY Boston office. In this role, Jane manages approximately 2,400 professionals across all services lines who make an impact on area businesses and the community. She brings over 25 years of experience in serving Fortune 100 clients, leading high performing teams, and advocating for change.

Jane is skilled in bringing the full power of EY’s multidisciplinary practice to assist clients across a spectrum of areas, including transaction support, supply chain, tax, legal, finance, talent and diversity, and inclusion. As a tax partner, Jane serves as the lead tax partner, coordinating all aspects of tax services, to some of firm’s largest global accounts.

Jane is committed to personally making a difference in youth mentoring, equality, and the environment. She is a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Boston, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, and the National Association of Corporate Directors - New England Chapter. She chairs the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and serves on the executive committees of the Massachusetts High Tech Council and Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. She received her Bachelor of Science in accounting from Rhode Island College, and her J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law.

Leen A. Girl Scout Senior

Leen is a sophomore in high school. She has been a Girl Scout since she was a Brownie, and is a GSEMA Board of Directors member.

Leen earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award by promoting self-love in her community, and earned the Girl Scout Silver Award by cofounding Big Sister, an organization that provides a safe space for young girls to share/ask advice, and learn about STEAM, mental health, and more. Leen is a co-editor of her school newspaper, and is a tutor for middle school math and English students. Leen is passionate about STEM—she loves to attend hackathons and compete in local science and engineering fairs. Leen also enjoys playing soccer, training in martial arts (earning a Black Belt), and runs her own online jewelry business. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in computer science and engineering, and to continue her entrepreneurial interests.

April D. Girl Scout Ambassador

April is a Girl Scout Ambassador in Troop 68174 and is currently completing her Junior year at Greater Lowell Technical High School. She joined Girl Scouts in the fourth grade as a Girl Scout Junior. She joined in hopes of becoming more social and to look forward to having fun experiences. April’s favorite experience as a Girl Scout was getting an opportunity to be CEO for the day at GSEMA. She enjoyed being able to experience all the responsibilities and hard work it takes to keep Girl Scouts running. In her spare time, April enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, writing poetry, and reading. After graduation, April will continue her early childhood education journey and hopes to obtain a degree in psychology. She feels that Girl Scouts has helped her develop confidence in her social skills and in gaining her voice.

Cinly M. Girl Scout Ambassador

Cinly is a senior at Boston Latin School. She joined Girl Scouts at the Brownie level, and is a former 2021-22 Girl Board Member. She earned the Girl Scout Silver Award by raising educational awareness and hygienic resources for homeless veterans in the downtown Boston area. Cinly competes and captains her school’s debate team, and is a National Speech and Debate Association Academic All American award recipient. Cinly is the president of Boston Latin’s Asian Students in Action Club, where she organized several successful school-wide events celebrating Asian identity and culture. She serves as the Head Forum Editor for her school’s award-winning newspaper, and is the recipient of three Scholastic Gold Keys. Additionally, Cinly attended classes on Criminal Justice and Gender Studies, and interned at the Roxbury Public Defenders Office. Cinly plans on studying economics and math at Columbia University next fall.

Ciara P. Girl Scout Ambassador

Ciara Pimentel is a Girl Scout Ambassador in Troop 23102 at Norte Dame Cristo Rey. She joined Girl Scouts during her freshman year of high school because she wanted be a part of a team that encouraged girls to be themselves. In her spare time, she enjoys reading romance novels and hanging out with her family and friends. Ciara hopes to become a pediatrician and help kids all around the world. She feels that her time as a Girl Scout has given her the ability to take on any challenge, big or small, and has shown her that girls can accomplish anything they set their minds to.

Shruti P. Girl Scout Ambassador

Shruti is a high school senior, and has been participating in Girl Scouts the Junior level. She earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award for hosting creative events for senior citizens, and earned the Girl Scout Silver Award by pursuing a ban on plastic straws and polystyrene food ware in her town. Most recently, she earned the Girl Scout Gold Award by running public speaking workshops internationally, empowering students through teaching the essential life skill of effective argumentation. Apart from her Girl Scout activities, Shruti is a member of National Ocean Sciences Bowl, GirlUP, DEI Council, Student Council, National Honor Society, and participates on the varsity debate team. Shruti volunteers at her local middle school, teaching debate and coaching the Science Bowl, and has interned under State Representative Michelle L. Ciccolo. Once she graduates, Shruti plans to pursue a career in law.

Sue O’Connell Host, NBC Boston/New England Cable News

Sue O’Connell is a journalist at NECN/ NBC10 Boston, the co-publisher of Bay Windows, New England’s largest newspaper serving the LGBTQ community and The South End News, a Boston weekly newspaper. Additionally, she is the co-owner of The EDGE Media Network, a national network of LGBTQ news web portals. She appears regularly as a contributor on WGBH’s Boston Public Radio and Under the Radar with Callie Crossley. She graduated from Emerson College in 1984.

Event Moderator

30 Years of Leading Women Awards

2022

Karan Y. Dyson

Carol W. Geremia

Deborah C. Jackson

Corporate Changemaker

Awardee: Suffolk

2020

Mon Chau

Dr. Paula Hammond

Kate Jaspon

Corporate Changemaker

Awardee: BNY Mellon

2019

Yvonne Garcia

Diane Hessan

Deb Taft

Amy Koch Flynn

2018

Diane McLoughlin

Elizabeth Stevenson

Tanisha M. Sullivan, Esq.

2017

Phyllis Barajas

Linda Connly

Danielle Curcio

Jessica T. Donohue

2016

Stephanie Browne

Dr. Divina Grossman

Hannah Grove

Linda K. Zecher

2015

The Honorable Martha Coakley

Christa Hagearty

Dr. Denise Hammon

Elaine Steward

Janet Wu

2013

Helen G. Drinan

Denise Kaigler

Sheila Lirio Marcelo

Joyce Maroney

Leading Man: The Honorable Thomas

M. Menino, Mayor of Boston

2012

Beth I.Z. Boland

Joanna Lau

Juliette C. Mayers

Marie A. Turley

Susan Windham

Bannister, Ph.D.

Leading Man: Bill Fine

2011

Joanne Chang

Jennifer Tour Chayes

Callie Crossley

Stacey Lucchino

Helen Sayles

Maria Tedesco

Past Leading Women

2010

Gloria Cordes Larson Esq.

Paula Smith

Lauren Stiller Rikleen

Sabine I. St. Lot

Ellen Zane

Leading Man: Stephen Ross

2009

Jackie Glenn

Paula Adina Johnson, M.D, M.P.H.

Julie Kahn

Barbara Lee

Sue Morelli

Leading Man: J. Keith Motley, Ph.D.

2008

Michelle Courton Brown

Susan M. Esper

Kerry Murphy Healey, Ph.D.

Ambassador Swanee Hunt

Laura J. Sen

Liz Walker

Leading Man: Michael Olivieri

2007

Doreen Bilezikian

Karen M. Hall

Pam Hamlin

Debra Miller

Elizabeth O’Neill

Dr. Zorica Pantić

Pamela Salkovitz

Linda Shyavitz

Addie Swartz

Dr. Asha Wallace

Elizabeth Williams

2006

Monica Cost

Phyllis Hughes

Catherine Key

Loretta LaRoche

Jane Lundquist

Stacy Madison

Therese Murray

Dr. Kathy O’Loughlin

Elizabeth Pattullo

Dr. Una Ryan

Marylou Sandry

Irina Simmons

2005

Zamawa Arenas

Anne Brengle

Dina Chu

Aileen Gorman

Marty Jones

Christine Keville

Deborah Kolb

Jean MacCormack

Sandra McCroom

Debbie McLaughlin

Joan Menard

Ann Merrifield

2004

Dr. Alice Coombs

Christie Coombs

Consuelo Gonzales

Thornell

Dr. Carol Hardy-Fanta

Dr. Mallika Marshall

Ellyn McColgan

Cheryl Mongell

Shannon O’Brien

Lou Russo

Sylvia Stevens-Edouard

Adrian Tinsley

2003

Dr. Constance Cepko

Karen Golz

Nancy Leaming

Gail Long

Frances Moseley

María Quiroga

Dr. Gail Tsimprea

Dr. Rev. Gloria White-Hammond

2002

Marilyn Anderson

Chase

Elizabeth Ashur

Carol Fulp

Bernadine Nash

Maureen Scannell

Bateman

Martha Sloan Felch

Micho Spring

Joyce Strom

Janet Wu

2001

Ingrid Broadnax

Brandy Cruthird

Vicki Donlan

Ruth Ellen Fitch

Stephanie

Harriston-Diggs

Katherine Hesse

Jane Howard

Anica Law

Dr. Eugenia Marcus

Sara Shiggs-Quiroga

Teri Williams

2000

Geneva Evans

Jessica L. Geheran

Judy George

Deborah Heller

Nancy Hopkins

Eileen McNamara

Bik-Fung Ng

Regina Pisa

Aura

Sanchez-Garfunkel

Mary Lou

Speaker-Churchill

Lindsey Thorne-Bingham

Bennie Wiley

1999

Marjorie Agosin

Kimberly Ann Barstow

JudyAnn Bigby

Agnes Bundy Scanlan

Kathleen Casavant

Jean Lau Chin

Loretta DeGrazia

Barbara Gardner

Karen Green

K-K Gregory

Charlayne Murrell-Smith

Judith Nitsch

Patricia O’Brien

Elizabeth Smith

Katherine Triantafillou

1998

Zoe Aponte

Dawn Ash

Louray Barton

Kathleen Coffey

Elizabeth Cook

Gail Deegan

Pam Fernandes

Lily Lawn-Tsao

Holly Metcalf

Mary Truong

Antonia Velez

1997

Kathleen Delaney-Smith

Anne Finucane

Alyssa Fong

Frieda Garcia

Past Leading Women

Phyllis Godwin

Esther Hopkins

Rosemary Jordano

Meizhu Lui

Kathryn Nedelman

Colette Phillips

Joyce Plotkin

Lois Silverman

1996

Caroline Chang

Judith Clapp

Martha Crowninshield

Jovita Fontanez

Andrea Haney

Sylvia Harris-Carr

Raushanah

Muhammad

Kathleen O’Toole

Vikki Pryor Harris

Pamela Reeve

Patricia Smith

Rina Spence

Rya Zobel

1995

Frances Butler

Elba Crespo

Trang Diem Ho

Emanuela Fenelon

Ellen P. Gabriel

Margaret Harrison

Marian Heard

Regina Herzlinger

Carol Johnson

Elizabeth Lee

Cathy Minehan

Deolinda Rodrigues

Gail Snowden

Kara Wolters

1994

Sarah Buel

Louise Condon

Barbara Dawson

Danielle Farinato

Barbara Gray

Vivian Huang

Valerie Knotts

Margaret Lazarus

Alyce Lee

Evelyn Murphy

Sandra Rehe

Mercedes Roman

Cidhinnia

Torres-Campos

1993

Elaine Alpert

Johanna Beers

Monique Bynoe

Diane M. Capstaff

Jane Claflin

Susan Comeau

Daryl Hellman

Norma Karaian

Terry Marotta

Lucia Mayerson-David

Carolyn Ramsey

Judy Richardson

Leslie Tuplin

Joan Wallace-Benjamin

1992

Kerry Butts

Sheila S. Crawford

Paulette Harwood

Nicole Hinds

Donna Latson Gittens

Ann Ligums, Founder

Eileen Moran Brown

Ivonne Ortiz

Reverend Cheng

Imm Tan

Dr. Alison

Taunton-Rigby

Ruby Transue

Joyce Williams-Mitchell

GOLF FOR GIRL SCOUTS

August 14, 2023

Pine Hills Golf Club, Plymouth

gsema.org/golf

COOKIES & COCKTAILS

November 16, 2023 • 6-8 PM

PwC, Boston

gsema.org/cookiesandcocktails

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

Deb Taft

Board Chair and President

Kelly Corwin

First Vice Chair

Elizabeth Fitzula

Second Vice Chair

Jane Lundquist Treasurer

Jennifer Galvagna Secretary/Clerk

Barbara H. Fortier

Chief Executive Officer

Members-at-Large

Jeannette Buntin

Julie Cameron

Susan Carabbio

Teresa Epperson

Nina Ferrari

Trevor Frankel

Guilda Hilaire

David Koenig

Lan Marinelli

Diane McLoughlin

Allison Coutts

O’Connor

Kim Reinert

Joseph Skelly

Kristen Truglio

Angela Wayne

Gena Wilson Sullivan

Girl Members Leen A.

Maija F.

Lily M. Shruti P.

BOARD NOMINATING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Jeannette Buntin

Kelly Corwin

Lacey Cumming

Kara Curtis

Katie Durant

Jennifer LaFrance

Libby Murphy

Kristen Truglio

Allison Walsh

gsema.org