Announcing the Honorees: 2025 Inspiring Leaders Awards Luncheon

Leadership Rhode Island’s signature annual luncheon, the 2025 Inspiring Leaders Awards Luncheon, will be held Thursday, March 13 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Providence Marriott Hotel, located at 1 Orms Street in Providence.

Since 1981, Leadership Rhode Island has engaged and connected people through shared experiences that positively transform individuals, organizations and communities. This year, we’re proud to celebrate and recognize alumni and community members that have contributed to 45 years of our organization’s development and success.

LRI Volunteer Award:
Steve Duvel, 2012 Theta II

The LRI Volunteer Award recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions to Leadership Rhode Island including committee work, board service, fundraising, or program assistance.

Steve Duvel is a senior vice president at Gilbane Building Company, where he leads Operations Support Services to ensure continuity and consistency in the execution of Gilbane’s projects. Steve works with Gilbane’s local offices to drive strategy in all areas of preconstruction to leverage innovative practices and technologies, reduce costs, and improve quality and service. He influences the modernization of Gilbane’s training program, serves as an Enterprise Risk Management team member, participates in field audits, troubleshoots problem projects, and provides guidance where needed. He also provides Gilbane’s Peer Group Leaders with mentoring, coaching, and support.

Before his current role, Steve led Gilbane’s New England business operations. He was responsible for the continued development, growth, and oversight of Gilbane’s Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut offices, totaling over 300 employees with an annual revenue of over $1 billion in 2022.

Steve began his career with Gilbane in 1997 as a project engineer for Gilbane’s Texas office. In 2000, Steve relocated to Gilbane’s Rhode Island office, serving in many positions, including project engineer, project manager, project executive, and district operations manager. He led many large-scale projects, including the URI Ryan Center, Connecticut Convention Center, Dunkin’ Donuts Center Renovation, and the Worcester Recovery Center & Hospital.

Steve is the co-chair of the Governance Committee of the Roger Williams University Construction Management Professional Advisory Board and serves on the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Commodores and is the President of a non-profit organization which focuses on suicide prevention, Overwatch+Project/FORGE. He is a member of the Construction Management Association of America and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He graduated from Leadership Rhode Island in 2012, was selected as the class speaker for his graduating class and served on its Board of Governors.

Throughout his career at Gilbane, Steve has earned several awards and accommodations. Gilbane nominated him for the Iver Johnson Builder of the Year in 2008 and 2012 for demonstrating leadership in construction. In 2011, Steve was awarded the Class A Safety Award for outstanding performance in safety leadership. In 2016, Steve earned the President’s Innovation Award and the John J. McCoy Award for exemplifying Gilbane’s core values.

Steve earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

He was named senior vice president in 2019.

Community Service Award:
Sharon Conard-Wells, 1991 Lambda

The Community Service Award recognizes an outstanding individual in our state whose extraordinary vision, commitment and leadership have made a significant impact upon our community.

Sharon Conard-Wells is the retired Executive Director of West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation. She is an innovator and consensus builder who implemented several programs and collaborative initiatives, resulting in over $122,000,000 in real estate and community development investment. She currently helps with the family real estate development and project management business. She remains a mentor and coach to several younger adults.

Ms. Conard-Wells holds a Master of Education degree from Cambridge College and a Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government fellowship. Sharon is certified in apartment management, crime prevention, asset management, and as a trainer of trainers.

Sharon has served on local and national boards and commissions and has spoken locally, nationally, and internationally. She received many accolades, including the 2019 United Way RI John H. Chaffee Lifetime Service Award and the 2018 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Equity.  In 2023, she became a City of Providence Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Hall of Fame inductee.

Her service through boards and activities evidences Sharon’s dedication to her community. They include the RI Public Transit Authority, Santander Bank National Advisory Board, Rockland Trust Bank New Market Tax Credit Advisory Council, RI State Housing Appeals Board, Warwick Juvenile Justice Hearing Board, Ri Brain Injury Association, RI Food Policy Council, RI Tree Council,  Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Community Affairs Advisory Council and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Last year, she co-chaired a conference on Black Women’s Health and Menopause.

Sharon currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Care New England. She served on the Board of Governors for Leadership RI until recently to make more time as a caregiver to her mom

Sharon, a mom and grandmother, is married to Roy Wells, with whom she resides in Warwick, RI.

 

Emerging Leader Award:
Jude Amoako, 2018 CLRI

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes an outstanding young person whose vision, dedication, and leadership qualities have inspired others to take action to create community change in RI. 

Jude Amoako is a dynamic storyteller, entrepreneur, and marketing strategist dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to embrace their unique narratives. As the founder and chief storyteller of Based on a True Story (BOATS), Jude transforms personal and organizational journeys into compelling stories that inspire, connect, and empower. His guiding belief, “We all have a story to tell, and each one is as unique as we are,” underscores his mission to reveal the greatness within every individual.

Born with sickle cell anemia, Jude’s life is a testament to resilience and transformation. From enduring countless pain crises and hospital stays to navigating the challenges of a failed bone marrow transplant, Jude reframed his struggles into a story of triumph. He believes pain is not an obstacle but an arena for growth and transformation. Influenced by the African proverb, “Until the Lion Learns How to Write, Every Story Will Glorify the Hunter,” Jude is passionate about helping others reclaim their narratives, celebrating both their challenges and victories.

Jude’s professional journey spans impactful roles across education, marketing, and advocacy. He is a co-founder of Lifespan’s Patient Action Committee, where he helps build awareness for sickle cell anemia and advocates for individuals affected by the condition. He also serves as a leader at Nowell Academy, supporting the school’s mission to provide alternative education tailored to students’ unique needs. Additionally, he is an active member of several boards, including Millennial Rhode Island, the Patient Action Committee, and the University of Rhode Island Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Council, contributing his expertise and passion for community-building and storytelling.

Jude’s achievements have been recognized with the prestigious “10 Under 10” award from the University of Rhode Island, honoring his impact and success within the first decade of his graduation.

Through BOATS, Jude offers tailored personal branding solutions, including narrative building, short documentaries, portraits, and social media campaigns. His work has helped individuals and organizations articulate their unique stories and amplify their impact. Jude’s influence has recently extended internationally, with BOATS expanding to offer branding and storytelling workshops in the UK.

Jude is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where he earned a degree in Criminology and Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. He also holds a certification in Marketing Strategy from Cornell University.

Through his storytelling and leadership, Jude continues to challenge creativity, inspire connection, and empower others to own their stories as tools for transformation. His work is a celebration of resilience, authenticity, and the enduring power of human stories.