On November 8, the Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce’s CWBN (Chamber Women’s Business Network) hosted the ATHENA International Leadership Award luncheon. The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has achieved the highest level of professional excellence, contributed time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community, and has actively assisted others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential.
The luncheon, held at the Johnston County Agricultural Center, was attended by over one-hundred local business leaders and community supporters. Ms. Allison London Brown, CEO of UVision360, was the keynote speaker. She shared her own story of learning to succeed as a woman in the medical and science fields, encouraging the audience to be bold in their own journeys of personal growth and leadership.
Eleven phenomenal Johnston County women were nominated for this year’s award. The nominees included: Mrs. Evelyn Aranda (Tutoring For Success), Mrs. Michelle Ball ( Johnston County Clerk of Court), Mrs. Cindy Brookshire (Selma Development Partnership), Mrs. Joy Callahan (Johnston Community College), Mrs. Shanna Capps (Johnston Now Magazine), Mrs. Meredith Fordham (Junior Women’s League of Smithfield/Johnston County Public Schools), Mrs. Barbara King (A Travel Odyssey) , Dr. Marilyn Pearson (Johnston County Public Health Department), Dr. Twyla Wells (Johnston Community College Foundation), Rep. Donna White (NC House of Representatives), and Mrs. Dana Wooten (Clayton Chamber of Commerce).
The 2018 ATHENA International Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Twyla Wells, Executive Director of the Johnston Community College Foundation. Her work with the JCC Foundation, Smithfield-Selma Chamber, and Leadership Johnston is cultivating an environment of positive leadership and commitment to education that positively impacts Johnston County now and for years to come.
Pictured Above. First Row, Left to Right: Mr. Michael L. Mancuso (Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce), Dr. Twyla Wells (2018 ATHENA Award Recipient), Mrs. Dana Wooten, Representative Donna White, Mrs. Meredith Fordham
Second Row, Left to Right: Mrs. Kitty Johnson (CWBN), Mrs. Kelly Wallace (Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce), Mrs. Michelle Ball, Mrs. Cindy Brookshire, Mrs. Shanna Capps, Dr. Marilyn Pearson, Mrs. Katie Crowder (CWBN)