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2016 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL SUMMIT
IGNITE
8
CELEBRATING 35 YEARS
REGISTER TODAY!
IGNITE YOUR PASSION. IGNITE YOUR LIFE.
Registration is open for the ATHENA International 35th Anniversary Leadership Conference. Join us for three days of world-class inspiration, motivation and business networking at Ignite8. For more information, contact us at winmichigan@gmail.com.
September 25-27, 2016 Lansing, Michigan, USA, where ATHENA was founded.
Hosted by
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LOCAL ERIE WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS ARE RECEIVING A BIG BOOST FROM ATHENA
POWERLINK PROGRAM
"ATHENA
PowerLink works with women business owners in an attempt to help their businesses thrive locally.
Seven local women-owned businesses applied for the ATHENA
PowerLink Program. On February 23, 2016 the four women business owners were recognized and will now have the opportunity to work with an advisory panel of business professionals for the next year."
By: YourErie.co
Paul Wagner of Erie News Now writes, "The 2016 women business owners are Claudine Thiem , Claudine's Consignment, Genevieve Derose Thompson, Inner Balance Pilates, Elizabeth Freitag, Peninsula Pups Doggie Daycare, and Pamela Bane Turner, Shear Delight Salon and Day Spa.
The organization, now in its 16th year, has helped 38 women-owned companies.
Under the program an advisory panel helps the women grow their businesses, and improve everything from sales to marketing.
It also gives the women valuable mentors.
ATHENA
PowerLink Chairwoman Linda Stevenson said, "Generally what we find is women become somewhat isolated in their business. This program breaks down the wall of isolation, gets them into the community, gets them involved."
The ATHENA panel will work with the business owners free of charge for the next year."
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GET TO KNOW ATHENA INTERNTIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTOR: LINDA STEVENSON, ERIE, PA
"You retired from a long and successful career in the banking sector, most recently as senior vice president of Women's Business Development at PNC. Tell us how you got involved with ATHENA and why.
During my years in banking, I worked with the Small Business Administration to offer alternative financing solutions for small businesses. The interactions I had with business owners made me aware of the struggles they face on a regular basis. I realized that even though women were starting businesses in record numbers, their growth rate was considerably slower. It was apparent that they were struggling with funding issues and lagging behind in making professional connections. Through my work travels, I was fortunate to connect with amazing women who decided to do something about this disconnect and it was the ATHENA
PowerLink program.
You are now chair of ATHENA Erie, which was introduced to the Erie community in 2000 and has since provided professional mentors to 37 women business owners. Please tell us more about the program and what it entails.
ATHENA
PowerLink provides growing women-owned businesses with an advisory panel made up of local professionals who help the business owner define and achieve tangible goals that will improve the business' growth and profitability. Each adviser is hand-selected based on the business' needs and serves at no cost to the business owner for 12 months. The best part of the program is its cyclical nature, with many of the former ATHENA
PowerLink(APL) panel recipients returning to serve in some capacity.
What is one of your favorite examples of how the ATHENA program has benefited an Erie businesswoman?
It's extremely difficult to single out one success story as there are many from the ATHENA
PowerLink program. Check out www.athenaerie.org for more stories, but one that sticks out to me is Shawn Keough-Hartz, owner of Provider Resources, Inc. (PRI). Keough-Hartz says it best, "During my experience with the ATHENA
PowerLink program, the greatest benefit was the validation I received from my panel. They helped me find the confidence required to pursue my dream of instilling integrity in the health-care system."
ATHENA regularly hosts its ATHENA & ATHENA Young Profes
sionals Awards Luncheon. What plans are under way for 2015?
The awards luncheon runs every other year and, in the off year, the ATHENA Women's Leadership Luncheon, which includes roundtable discussion, is held.
The 2015 awards program will be an outstanding event on September 17, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Barbara Mistick, president of Wilson Community College. Additionally, one outstanding leader will be recognized for her or his dedication to supporting the advancement of women leaders and four local university students will be honored for their accomplishments as emerging leaders.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL INTERVIEW |
ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARD CELEBRATIONS
OGDEN, UT
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Kristie Nielsen, the Director of Marketing and Communications for Continuing Education at Weber State University, received the 2016 ATHENA Leadership Award at the annual ATHENA Awards dinner on January 26, 2016. "Education provides choices. Whether you are single or married, a full-time employee or a full-time home maker, self-employed or part of a large corporation, or anything in between, education provides choices and security. I have dedicated my career to helping adult students (especially women) advance their education level and complete a certificate or degree in order to live happier, more-fulfilling lives. WSU Continuing Education provides flexible options to do that including evening, online and off-campus classes. It's not easy, but it's worth it to complete that degree for yourself and those you love."
GREAT FALLS, MT
By: Peter Johnson, Great Falls Tribune
"Great Falls School Superintendent Tammy Lacey smiled and put her hands over her face at Monday night's school board when she unexpectedly was presented with the 2015 ATHENA Leadership Award, given annually to a Great Falls woman for outstanding leadership and accomplishments.
State Sen. Mary Sheehy Moe, a former Great Falls College of Technology dean and school board chairwoman during Lacey's first year as school superintendent, presented the award, along with six other previous ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients.
Sheehy Moe wrote a glowing nomination letter saying Lacey rose from teacher to principal to human resources director to superintendent during more than 30 years "and on every rung of the ladder, her excellence, creativity and initiative have been recognized."
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MARYVILLE, TN
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Gaynell Lawson (in blue) gets hugs from fellow nominees after being named the 2016 Athena Leadership Award recipient Jan. 28 at the Clayton Center for the Arts. The Blount County program, sanctioned by Athena International, is looking forward to its fifth year in 2017. |
The Daily Times
By: Linda Braden Albert
"It's a program in East Tennessee that's unique in its recognition of women of excellence and leadership.
Blount County celebrated its fourth ATHENA Leadership Award presentation Jan. 28, recognizing women of excellence for their contributions to the community. Ten women were honored as finalists, with Gaynell Lawson, president and CEO of CBBC, chosen as the recipient of the 2016 ATHENA Leadership Award in Blount County."
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