CWE Annual Leadership Award Winners

Since 2011, the Center for Women & Enterprise has honored business leaders, volunteers, and partners through our annual award program.

 
 Cheryl Watkins Snead

Cheryl Watkins Snead Woman-Owned Business of the Year

Following the premature death of Cheryl Watkins Snead on January 22, 2018, the Center for Women & Enterprise instituted this award in her name. It is presented to a WBENC certified business owner who is a passionate advocate for the empowerment of women.  The recipient of the award reflects the spirit of Cheryl, a pioneering and inspirational person who never stopped giving back. 

  • 2022 Ann Ramakumaran, Itech Solutions
  • 2019 Sandy Lish, The Castle Group
  • 2018 Doreen Blades, US Eco Products Corporation

CWE Corporation of the Year

This award is given to the corporation leading the way to opening up pathways for women-owned businesses.

  • 2019 Comcast
  • 2018 Amica Mutual Insurance Company
  • 2017 Textron Inc.
  • 2016 TD Bank
  • 2015  CVS Health
  • 2014 UPS
  • 2013 Bank of America
  • 2012 Verizon
  • 2011 Staples

CWE Community Partner of the Year

This award is given to the organization that supports the growth and expansion of the Center for Women & Enterprise.

  • 2022 Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA
  • 2019 City of Providence
  • 2018 City of Cambridge
  • 2017 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office
  • 2016 U.S. Small Business Administration - Women Business Centers
  • 2015 The Rhode Island Foundation
  • 2014 The Boston Foundation
  • 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration
  • 2012 Goodwin Procter

CWE Advocate of the Year

This award is given to a professional or community leader whose efforts support women's economic empowerment.

  • 2022 Carole Sears
  • 2019 Janet Dunlap
  • 2018 Jacqueline Gonzalez Taylor
  • 2017 Susan Loconto Penta
  • 2016 William Schawbel
  • 2015 Maria Abernethy
  • 2014 Karen Copenhaver
  • 2013 Joel Adler
  • 2012 Ellen Hoffman
  • 2011 Pamela Lenehan

CWE Volunteer of the Year

This award is given to an individual who tirelessly and selflessly supports CWE and its mission.

  • 2022 Liora Stone
  • 2019 Daylana Ervin-Parker
  • 2018 Cristine Hammer
  • 2017 Daniel Holmander
  • 2016 Pam Stevens
  • 2015 Martha Sloan-Felch
  • 2014 Julie Levin
  • 2013 Jerry Johnson
  • 2012 Debra Thomas
  • 2011 Hank Greenberg

CWE Supplier Diversity Team of the Year

This award is given to a supplier diversity team exhibiting outstanding efforts in supplier diversity.

  • 2019 Retail Business Services
  • 2018 Iron Mountain Inc.
  • 2017 TJX Companies
  • 2016 CVS Health
  • 2015 Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
  • 2014 United Technologies Corporation
  • 2013 Staples
  • 2012 RBS Citizens
  • 2011 Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA

CWE WBENC-Certified Women's Business of the Year

This award is given to a WBENC-Certified women-owned business that has exhibited growth through innovation or strategic partnership.

  • 2017 Polaris Direct LLC, Judith Maloy, Director & CEO
  • 2016  Banneker Industries, Cheryl Snead, President & CEO
  • 2015 Bixby & Co., Kate McAleer, Founder
  • 2014 The Locator Service Group, Kim Sawyer, Owner
  • 2013 GAP Promotions, Gayle Piraino, Owner
  • 2012 Continental Resources, Mary Nardella, Owner
  • 2011 SwervePoint, LLC., Juli Sinnett, Owner