Every day, individuals are challenging, inspiring and innovating their communities to be a strong force for change. ATHENA Grand Rapids exists to support, develop and honor women leaders.
We are all responsible for advocating for women. We are ATHENA.
At the ATHENA Awards Celebration, we gather to CELEBRATE those who embody, encourage and promote the inclusion of women. More than thirty amazing individuals have received the prestigious ATHENA Award in Grand Rapids.
Both the ATHENA Leadership Award and ATHENA Young Professional Award are founded on the ATHENA Leadership Model® from ATHENA International. This model identifies eight distinct attributes that are reflective of women’s contributions to leadership: Authentic Self, Relationships, Giving Back, Collaboration, Courageous Acts, Learning, Fierce Advocacy, Celebration and Joy. We are also excited to introduce the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award in 2019, which will recognize businesses and organizations that support, develop and honor women leaders.
About the Awards
The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to an outstanding leader who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.
The ATHENA Young Professional Award is presented to an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession; serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally; and provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in the community.
The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award recognizes businesses and organizations that support, develop and honor women leaders. This award is presented to organizations that have implemented excellent internal policies for supporting their female employees or organizations that are actively serving women in the community through their line of work.
Join us for the 33rd Annual ATHENA Awards Celebration!
Wednesday, September 28
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
JW Marriott Grand Rapids: International Ballroom
Meet Last Year's Finalists
ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient
- Is an established leader and mentor who assists women in reaching their full potential
- Demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession
- Provides valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community
ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award Recipient
- Is an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession
- Serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally
- Is 40 years old or younger as of September 2021, and has a minimum of five (5) years professional experience
- Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in the community
ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award
- Recognizes businesses and organizations that support, develop and honor women leaders
- Creates an organizations culture that encourages women employees to achieve their full leadership potential
- Gives back to the larger community of women and girls by providing and/or supporting leadership development opportunities and initiatives
Past ATHENA Recipients
Each year, the Grand Rapids Chamber ATHENA Eileen DeVries Scholarship is given to women over 30 years of age who are pursuing their higher education goals. If you are interested in donating, click here!