ATHENA International Leadership Awards®
Save the Date
Thursday, MAR 5, 2026 | 7:30 AM | APGFCU Arena
About Athena
The inspiration for the ATHENA International Awards® Program originated in Lansing,
Michigan in 1980, when Martha Mayhood Mertz, owner of Mayhood/Mertz REALTORS® Inc.,
was asked to serve on the Board of Directors of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Finding herself to be the only working woman serving on the Board, she also discovered
that, in the 75 years of presenting community awards, her Chamber had only once honored
a woman.
Martha Mertz recognized that, “The world was changing, and the Chamber boardroom did
not reflect the reality of the world outside.” The time had come to bring into focus
the many outstanding professional and business women in the community and to incorporate
them into leadership positions within the Chamber. Through the “voice of business,”
they, too, would participate in guiding the present and shaping the future. The first
ATHENA Award® was presented in 1982.
ATHENA Leadership Award®
Presented to an individual or organization who demonstrates the qualities embodied
in the ATHENA Leadership Model and who:
- Has achieved the highest level of professional excellence.
- Contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.
- Actively assists others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential.
ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award®
Established in 2007 to honor emerging leaders who exemplify the ATHENA Award principles.
ATHENA Organizational Award®
For an organization that supports and celebrates the ATHENA mission of supporting,
developing and honoring women leaders, inspiring women to achieve their full potential—creating
balance in leadership worldwide.
ATHENA Award® Nominations | Opens NOV 17
Past ATHENA Award® Recipients
2025
Vickie Bands, ATHENA Leadership Award®
April Cheatham, ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award®
Homeward Bound Veterinary Services, ATHENA Organizational Award®
2024
Stacey Rebbert, ATHENA Leadership Award®
Stacy Guerin, ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award®
Laurel Bush Family Dentistry, ATHENA Organizational Award®
2023
Dr. Andrée M. Mountain-Campbell, ATHENA Leadership Award®
Allison Cuneo, ATHENA Young Professional Award®
2022
Claudine Adams, ATHENA Leadership Award®
Sarah Klein, ATHENA Young Professional Award®
2021
Robin Tomechko, ATHENA Leadership Award®
Sara Garbarino, ATHENA Young Professional Award®
2020
Sandra Gallion, ATHENA Leadership Award®
Beth Mosser, ATHENA Young Professional Award®
2019 Sharon Jacobs, ATHENA Leadership Award®
Jennie Towner, ATHENA Young Professional Award®
2018 Lisa Feulner, ATHENA Leadership Award®
Brittany Trocher, ATHENA Young Professional Award®
2017 Kathy Walsh, ATHENA Leadership Award®
Paige Boyle, ATHENA Young Professional Award®
2016 Carolyn Evans, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2015 Stephanie Hau, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2014 Mary Teddy Wray, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2013 Jayne Klein, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2012 Denise Carnaggio, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2011 Tamera Rush, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2010 Lucie Snodgrass, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2009 Content McLaughlin, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2008 Pat Scott, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2007 Karen Green (deceased), ATHENA Leadership Award®
2006 Sheryl Davis Kohl, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2005 Deborah Smith Williams, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2004 Jane Howe, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2003 Pat Donovan, ATHENA Leadership Award®
2002 Kim Wagner, ATHENA Leadership Award®
ATHENA Leadership Award® | 2025 Recipients
Photo credit: Josh Eller
Pictured (L to R): April Cheatham, recipient of the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award®; Vickie Bands, this year’s ATHENA Leadership Award® recipient; Dr. Kristen Vance, accepting the ATHENA Organizational Award® for Homeward Bound Veterinary Services;
and Dr. Theresa Felder, President of Harford Community College.