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The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the fourth annual ATHENA Awards. Nominations are now being accepted for the ATHENA Leadership Award, ATHENA Young Professional Award, and ATHENA Organizational Award, which will be presented September 14 at the Polk Theatre to exemplary leaders and organizations who have achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way and most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential.
Founded over 30 years ago, ATHENA International is a women’s leadership organization that supports, develops and honors women leaders through the programs it administers. ATHENA’s flagship program, the ATHENA Leadership Award® Program, has honored over 7,000 women leaders from hundreds of cities and eight countries since its inception in 1982. The program is facilitated locally by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, a licensed ATHENA host organization. Nominations are sought throughout the community and Recipients are selected by a diverse group of community leaders based on the criteria above.
ATHENA Leadership Award® Recipients hail from all professional sectors. The awards’ rich history, international scope and emphasis on mentorship make these awards unique and amongst the most prestigious leadership award one can receive. Past Lakeland ATHENA Recipients include:
ATHENA Leadership Award
2020 - Dr. Angela Falconetti, Ed.D.?
2021 - Stacy Campbell-Domineck?
2020 - Dr. Martha Santiago, Ed.D.
ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award
2020 - Brenda Ramirez, Esq.?
2021 - Lauren Albaum?
2022 - Ashley Bell Barnett?
ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award
2020 - The Lunz Group
2021 - Junior League of Greater Lakeland
2020 - Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine?
ATHENA Leadership Award® Recipients are presented with a hand-cast, bronzed crystal sculpture that symbolizes the strength, courage and wisdom of ATHENA Recipients.
The Lakeland Chamber believes in the values underlying ATHENA International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities and our government. Reflective of a quote attributed to Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there,” the ATHENA Leadership Award® honors and illuminates the leaders and leadership styles of individuals others would emulate.
The 2023 Recipients will be invited to join ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients and other leaders at a Regional ATHENA International Women’s Leadership Summit of their choice.
Nominations will be accepted until June 30, and forms may be obtained by visiting lakelandchamber.com or contacting the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce at (863) 688-8551 or spowers@lakelandchamber.com.