ATHENA Leadership Award
The ATHENA Leadership Award was inspired by the goddess, Athena, of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment. Qualities embodied in the ATHENA Leadership® Model. The Award is unique in scope- local, national and international- and the ATHENA mission upon which it is based. The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to a woman or man, who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.
Since the program’s inception in 1982, nearly 6,000 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Leadership Awards in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Leadership Award program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.
The award recipient is determined by the ATHENA Governing Body and an ATHENA sculpture is awarded to an individual in the community who meets the criteria listed below. Recipients of the ATHENA Leadership Award do the following:
Since the program’s inception in 1982, nearly 6,000 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Leadership Awards in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Leadership Award program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.
The award recipient is determined by the ATHENA Governing Body and an ATHENA sculpture is awarded to an individual in the community who meets the criteria listed below. Recipients of the ATHENA Leadership Award do the following:
- Demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession
- Provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community
- Actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential
Previous ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients:
2001 - Kathleen Scheppner
2003 - Susan Breon
2005 - Richard Wachter, CPA
2006 - Tina Donikowski
2007 - Susan Wellman
2008 - Thomas Kennedy
2009 - Linda Stevenson
2011 - Colleen Moore Mezler
2013 - Laurie Root
2015 - Joyce Savocchio, MA
2017 - Sister Joan Chittister
2019 - Dr. Andrea Jeffress, MD, FACOG
2021 - Kathy Dahlkemper
2023 - Donna Douglass
2001 - Kathleen Scheppner
2003 - Susan Breon
2005 - Richard Wachter, CPA
2006 - Tina Donikowski
2007 - Susan Wellman
2008 - Thomas Kennedy
2009 - Linda Stevenson
2011 - Colleen Moore Mezler
2013 - Laurie Root
2015 - Joyce Savocchio, MA
2017 - Sister Joan Chittister
2019 - Dr. Andrea Jeffress, MD, FACOG
2021 - Kathy Dahlkemper
2023 - Donna Douglass
ATHENA Young Professional Award
A natural extension of the ATHENA Leadership Award, the ATHENA Young Professional Award recognizes outstanding young students who have the potential to be our future leaders.
We have extended the offer to nominate a young professional to the four major universities in our surrounding area: Edinboro University, Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, and Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. One administrator or faculty member from each university will be approached for the name of the nominee from their institution. The intent of the award is to provide a meaningful start on the path of leadership for the young professional receiving it. The vision is that by recognizing their excellence this award will serve to cultivate distinguished opportunities for the recipient and our community.
Winners of the ATHENA Young Professional Award recipients possess the following qualities:
We have extended the offer to nominate a young professional to the four major universities in our surrounding area: Edinboro University, Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, and Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. One administrator or faculty member from each university will be approached for the name of the nominee from their institution. The intent of the award is to provide a meaningful start on the path of leadership for the young professional receiving it. The vision is that by recognizing their excellence this award will serve to cultivate distinguished opportunities for the recipient and our community.
Winners of the ATHENA Young Professional Award recipients possess the following qualities:
- Are emerging leaders who demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their college community
- Provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community
- Clearly serve as a role model for young women, personally, professionally and in their college community
Previous ATHENA Young Professional Award Recipients:
2009 - Hannah Kirby, Gannon University
2011 - Catherine Franks, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
2013 - Amber Penna, Mercyhurst University
2015 - Emily Francis, Mercyhurst University
2017 - Katlyn Walters, Gannon University
2019 - Silenia Guerrero-Vasquez, Edinboro University
2021 - Kathryn Dickey, Gannon University
2023 - Gabrielle Watson, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College