10th Annual ATHENA Awards

The ATHENA Award program celebrates exceptional individuals who have achieved excellence in their profession, have served the community in a meaningful way and have assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills.

The prestigious ATHENA Leadership Award honors individuals who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession, who provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community, and who actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential.
The 2014 ATHENA Leadership Nominees are:

• Patricia Irene Bader, M.D. - President, Northeast Indiana Genetic Counseling
• Denice Beights - Executive Director, Fort Wayne Children's Choir
• Cheryl Felger - Team Lead II Manufacturing, Raytheon
• Katrina Kay - Association Executive, UPSTATE ALLIANCE OF REALTORS
• Maria Krach, RD, CD - Owner / Dietician, Maria Krach, RD, CD, Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Laura Kapp Miller - Financial Advisor, UBS Financial Services Inc. / Waggoner Miller Wealth Management
• Julie Nill - Regional Account Executive, Comcast Spotlight
• Josette Marie Rider - Chief Executive Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana
• Lanni Ruiz-Connelly - Owner, The Bookmark
• Kathleen Turpin - Vice President-Human Resources, Brotherhood Mutual
• Sue Wilhelm - Director, Victory Noll Center

The ATHENA Young Professional Award honors emerging women leaders who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in her business or profession, provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in her community, and clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally.
The 2014 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Nominees are:

• Rachida  Bejja - Clinical Director, Quality Counseling & Psychological Services
• Kristi Cortezano - Life Coach/Mentor, LIFE Leadership
• Sherry Holifield - Design Director, Vera Bradley
• Kristin Marcuccilli - Chief Operating Officer,  STAR Financial Bank
• Michelle Merritt - Principal, Merrfeld Resumes and Development / VP Operations, King+Knight LLC
• Barbara  Molargik-Fitch - Director / Assistant Professor Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Trine University
• Nicole C. Moore - Director of Retail Operations, Creative Women of the World (CWoW)
• Rachel L. Rayburn - Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Indiana University Purdue University - Fort Wayne
• Jenna Strick - Executive Director, United Way of Huntington County
• Lanah K. Hake Tarango - President/Founder, LanahLink Social Impact Solutions
• Jami VandeVelde - CEO, People TrueCare

In 2006 the ATHENA Scholarship was founded with a generous contribution from Dr. Michele Helfgott of Parkview Integrative Medicine.  In the spirit of the ATHENA Award, the ATHENA Scholarship honors young women who have excelled in their academic careers while demonstrating leadership potential and a commitment to their community.

The scholarship is open to young women graduating with their high school class of 2014, these women plan to pursue higher education in the state of Indiana.  The ideal recipient will be a high achiever in academics who demonstrates leadership in her school and community.  The scholarships will be awarded at the luncheon.

Donations for the ATHENA Scholarship are being accepted at the time of ticket purchase by clicking the registration button. Minimum donations for the ATHENA scholarship start at $250.  ATHENA Scholarship Sponsors will be recognized for their generous contributions in the ATHENA Awards program and on the ATHENA web page.

The luncheon is Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Ceruti's Summit Park, Diamond Room, 6601 Innovation Blvd from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m..

The cost for individual tickets is $35 and Table Sponsorships are $500.  Table Sponsors receive one table for eight individuals to attend the event and will have their logo/company name recognized at the table.  

RSVPs are required.  Please respond by Friday, April 11, 2014.

For additional sponsorship opportunities, contact Liz Struckholz at (260) 420-6945 or lstruckholz@greaterfortwayneinc.com