The ATHENA Awards Luncheon
A biannual tradition of honoring women leaders and those who support them.
A Celebration of Excellence
Held every other year, the ATHENA Awards Luncheon presents several awards to both men and women who are making a change in our community and those who continue to support and uplift their businesses, goals, or mission.
The ATHENA Awards celebrate individuals who embody the principles of the ATHENA Leadership Model: excellence, community service, and a dedication to empowering women leaders. The awards honor both established professionals and emerging young leaders who are making a meaningful impact in their communities. Through this recognition, we aim to inspire leadership, foster connection, and champion the next generation of women leaders in Erie and beyond.
The goal of each event is to support, develop, and honor women leaders, inspire our fellow women and future leaders to achieve their full potential, and create balance in leadership for the community.
During our time together over lunch, coffee, and conversation, we also explore the eight principles of the ATHENA Leadership Model and how we can better incorporate them into our daily lives, both personally and professionally.
The ATHENA Awards Luncheon
Each year, we proudly present two prestigious awards to recognize seasoned and emerging leaders in our community.
ATHENA Leadership Award
Established in 1982 and inspired by the Greek goddess Athena, known for her strength, courage, wisdom, and enlightenment, the ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to an individual (man or woman) who is honored for professional excellence, community service, and actively assisting women in attaining professional excellence and leadership skills.
The ATHENA Sculpture is nationally recognized as the highest honor by business professionals and community leaders, and has been bestowed upon over 6,000 recipients worldwide.
Past Award Recipients
2023 – Donna Douglass
2021 – Kathy Dahlkemper
2019 – Dr. Andrea Jeffress, MD, FACOG
2017 – Sister Joan Chittister
2015 – Joyce Savocchio, MA
2013 – Laurie Root
2011 – Colleen Moore Mezler
2009 – Linda Stevenson
2008 – Thomas Kennedy
2007 – Susan Wellman
2006 – Tina Donikowski
2005 – Richard Wachter, CPA
2003 – Susan Breon
2001 – Kathleen Scheppner
ATHENA Young Professional Award
A natural extension of the ATHENA Leadership Award, the ATHENA Young Professional Award recognizes outstanding young college students who have the potential to be our future leaders.
The award intends to provide a meaningful start on the leadership path for the young professional receiving it. The vision is that by recognizing their excellence, this award will cultivate distinguished opportunities for the recipient and our community.
Past Award Recipients
2023 – Gabrielle Watson, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
2021 – Kathryn Dickey, Gannon University
2019 – Silenia Guerrero-Vasquez, Edinboro University
2017 – Katlyn Walters, Gannon University
2015 – Emily Francis, Mercyhurst University
2013 – Amber Penna, Mercyhurst University
2011 – Catherine Franks, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
2009 – Hannah Kirby, Gannon University
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info@ATHENAErie.org
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Phone
(814) 504-6362