Nominations Open for Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England Leading Women of Distinction Honor
Pictured: 2025 Leading Women of Distinction Honorees & GSSNE CEO. Left to right: Katherine Kazarian, Dana Borrelli-Murray, Laura Jaworski, Rebecca Twitchell, Ellen Pinnock, Katherine Hypolite-MacMannis, Kilah Walters-Clinton, Corinne (Cori) Kilzi, and Cortney Nicolato
Pictured: 2025 Leading Women of Distinction Honorees & GSSNE CEO. Left to right: Katherine Kazarian, Dana Borrelli-Murray, Laura Jaworski, Rebecca Twitchell, Ellen Pinnock, Katherine Hypolite-MacMannis, Kilah Walters-Clinton, Corinne (Cori) Kilzi, and Cortney NicolatoWARWICK, RI (June 30, 2026)—Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England (GSSNE) is excited to announce that nominations for the 2026 Leading Women of Distinction Awards are now open. Anyone can nominate a woman who leads by example, exemplifies the Girl Scout mission, and makes the world a better place. Nominees demonstrate qualities of leadership and excellence in their personal and professional life. Leading Women of Distinction Honorees are exemplary role-models for the current and next generation who emulate positive change, and innovation throughout their careers.
Through the years, GSSNE has honored 71 Leading Women, representing many industries, organizations, and skill sets. We’ve shined a light on those who lead the way in their community by going above and beyond to help others. From teachers to executives, small business owners to CEOs, community pillars to emerging talent, Leading Women of Distinction provides a stage to recognize the hard work it takes to exemplify bravery, empathy, and drive.
This year, consider nominating exceptional women for this special honor. The Leading Women of Distinction Selection Committee will consider nominations of women of all ages and backgrounds who have contributed to the community through professional, family, volunteerism, and/or personal endeavors.
Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice in our work. From its founding in 1912 by a single woman with a disability, to our 1950s national prioritization of racial integration and our early support and commitment to the LGBTQIA2S+ community, the Girl Scout Movement has pushed and continues to push for equitable access and justice for all. In our Movement, diversity is a hallmark of our membership, equity is at the heart of our foundation, and inclusivity is a cornerstone of our culture—being accepted as you authentically are, being a part of something, and mattering to others—is at our core.
The nomination deadline is July 15, 2026. Honorees will be notified by the end of August. The Awards breakfast will be held on October 29, 2026, at the Squantum Association in Riverside, RI.
Since 2015, the GSSNE Leading Women of Distinction Honorees have been a direct reflection of what Girl Scouting stands for—they are both impressive and inspiring. To learn more about the 2026 Leading Women of Distinction Awards and to nominate a qualifying candidate, please visit gssne.org/leadingwomen.
We are Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence, and character. We serve all of Rhode Island, 13 communities in Massachusetts, and one in Connecticut.
Girl Scouts discover who they are, tap into the power inside them, and build the confidence to let it shine. Through programs across Southeastern New England, girls and gender-expansive youth of all backgrounds and abilities come as they are to explore their passions, meet new challenges, and develop hands-on skills. They find their strengths in science labs and on hiking trails, at cookie booths and in front of city councils. Backed by millions of alums and a network of dedicated adult volunteers and mentors, Girl Scouts drive change to make the world a better place. Along the way, they uncover the tools they need to lead with joy, on their own terms. Join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate.
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Taylor Gome
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Marketing and Communications Manager
Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England
401-331-4500