Annual ATHENA Awards Luncheon 2016

The ATHENA Leadership Award® was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment - qualities embodied in the ATHENA Leadership Model®. The Award is unique in both 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, more than 6,700 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Award in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, Unite 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 ATHENA Leadership Award® is presented annually by chambers of commerce, women’s organizations and universities. The award is established through local host organizations in partnership with ATHENA International’s national underwriters, local businesses and individual sponsors.

Nominations are solicited and an ATHENA sculpture is awarded to an individual in the community who meets specific criteria listed below.

The ATHENA Leadership Award® Criteria

ATHENA Leadership Award® Recipients are individuals who:

• Have achieved the highest level of professional excellence.
• Contribute time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.
• Actively assist others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential.

  The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, established in 2007 to honor emerging leaders. There are no specific age qualifications, however as the name of the award would indicate, candidates should be at least college age and have embarked on their career path. It will be at the discretion of each participating community whether or not to determine a maximum age (35~40 for instance).

  Criteria
  ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Recipients are emerging leaders who: 

• Demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their 
  business or profession.
• Provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.
• Clearly serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally

  The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award, established in 2010 to honor organizations and businesses.

  Criteria

  The business or organization: 
• Creates an organizational culture that encourages women employees to achieve their full leadership potential
• Gives back to the larger community of women and girls by providing and/ or supporting leadership development opportunities and initiatives