ATHENA Leadership Award Events & Communities

OVER FORTY YEARS OF RECOGNIZING TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERS, CHANGE-MAKERS, AND TRAILBLAZERS WORLDWIDE FOR THEIR EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP

8200+

AWARD RECIPIENTS SINCE 1982

500+

REGIONS REPRESENTED

48

STATES REPRESENTED

11

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED

Leave a Legacy of Celebrating Enlightened Leadership

ATHENA Leadership Awards:

Our prestigious community, national, and global ATHENA Leadership Awards recognize outstanding women and allies, pioneering leaders, and organizations. With 8,200+ recipients, spanning 500+ regions, representing 48 states, and 11 countries, from world-renowned icons to community champions, ATHENA International celebrates those who embody The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ and open doors of leadership opportunity for women and girls around the world.

Recipients Include: C-level executives of major corporations, Presidents of Universities and Foundations, A NASA astronaut, Human Rights and Social Justice Activists, Philanthropists, Actors and Celebrities, Athletes & Olympic Gold medalists, Ambassadors, Members of Congress, Highest ranking military professionals, US Supreme Court Justice and Secretary of State, Medical and Public Health Advocates. 

ATHENA Community Award Events:

Become an ATHENA Award Community by hosting and ATHENA Leadership Award Event honoring leaders in your local community and enjoy other exclusive community benefits. This program is designed to recognize those who demonstrate professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. By maintaining an ATHENA Award Events program, you send a clear message to members that your organization invests in your community and its growth.

“It is the focus on mentorship that sets this award apart from any other. There are other award programs in place that recognize the achievements of women, but the ATHENA Award recognizes efforts made to open doors of leadership opportunity for other women in the community.”

— Rosemary Corsetti, The Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce

Ruth Bader Ginsburg 〰️ Nina Totenberg 〰️ Billie Jean King 〰️ Condoleezza Rice 〰️ Dolores Huerta 〰️ Christina Koch 〰️ Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole 〰️ Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords 〰️ Mira Sorvino 〰️ Gavriella Schuster

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and many more!

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg 〰️ Nina Totenberg 〰️ Billie Jean King 〰️ Condoleezza Rice 〰️ Dolores Huerta 〰️ Christina Koch 〰️ Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole 〰️ Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords 〰️ Mira Sorvino 〰️ Gavriella Schuster 〰️ and many more! 〰️

NOTABLE ATHENA GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS:

BENEFITS TO YOUR COMMUNITY OR ORGANIZATION

✓ Attract new members and clients to your community

✓ Highlight key community initiatives

✓ Provide valuable workforce development for employees and community members

✓ Increase community connection and networking

✓ Fulfills the S in ESG (Environment, Social and Gov)

ATHENA Award Communities Get:

  • Ability to present ATHENA Community Awards

  • Discount tuition to the ATHENA Leadership Institute

  • Access to ATHENA PowerLink™ program

  • Discounts and exclusive access to ATHENA Speakers & Events

  • Community highlights on social media & newsletters

  • Award recipient features on ATHENA website and marketing collateral

  • ATHENA Brand Usage Rights and Marketing Kit

Award Options & Criteria

Community Awards

  • Honors individuals that are under the age of 18 who are empowering and amplifying the voices of women and girls. The ATHENA Youth Leadership Award highlights individuals that are creating an environment that is inclusive and collaborative, where others feel valued and respected. This recognizes exceptional youth leaders who are expanding and deepening their impact by how they live and lead in their community.

    Nominees must meet each of the following criteria:

    • Demonstrates The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ in all aspects of their life.

    • Demonstrates excellence by taking on leadership roles and expanding their knowledge and personal growth.

    • Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community that are unlike themselves.

    • Actively assist, peers in achieving their full leadership potential.

  • The ATHENA Champion Leadership Award recognizes individuals who serve as allies, advocates, and catalysts in promoting women's leadership. This recognition spotlights those who actively pioneer innovative strategies to foster diversity within organizations while providing invaluable support to underrepresented employees in the workplace.

    Nominees must meet each of the following criteria:

    • Demonstrates The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ in all aspects of their life.

    • Demonstrates and implements, creative and innovate and systemic solutions into organizations to achieve gender parity.

    • Provides valuable service as a sponsor/mentor to underrepresented employees in the workplace.

    • Actively assist women in achieving their full leadership potential.

  • The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award recognizes businesses and organizations that ignite, amplify, and celebrate leaders that are women. This award highlights organizations that are creating a culture of inclusive leadership and implementing processes that create opportunities for women’s professional advancement and growth.

    Nominees must meet each of the following criteria:

    • Demonstrates The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ in professional environment.

    • Creates an organizational 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.

  • The ATHENA Servant Leadership Award recognizes individuals that have devoted at least 5 years of service to the ATHENA Leadership Program, ATHENA PowerLink, or ATHENA International. It celebrates those who've partnered with ATHENA International to implement programming within their community. Nominations come from peers, honoring their dedication to advancing ATHENA International's mission. The award is presented every 3-5 years and requires ATHENA International approval.

    Nominees must meet each of the following criteria:

    • Demonstrates The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ in all aspects of their life.

    • Demonstrates longevity, exemplary service, and significant contributions as ATHENA volunteers/ supporters. They have gone above and beyond in conducting numerous successful ATHENA Leadership Institute programs, or sponsored ATHENA programming, in their community.

    • Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community.

    • Promotes, amplifies, advocates for women and girls.

  • The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award celebrates emerging leaders. While there are no strict age requirements, candidates should be at least of college age and have taken significant steps in their career journey, as well as serving as a role model for women and girls. Each participating community can decide whether to set an upper age limit (ie. 22 to 40).

    Nominees must meet each of the following criteria:

    • Demonstrates The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ in all aspects of their life.

    • Demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession.

    • Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community.

    • Clearly serves as a role model for women and girls, both personally and professionally.

  • The ATHENA Leadership Award recognizes accomplished individuals who actively support women in attaining professional excellence and leadership skills. This award highlights what recipients have accomplished in addition to ways they have paved the path for future successes. ATHENA Leadership Award inspires others to achieve excellence by honoring exceptional leaders.

    Nominees must meet each of the following criteria:

    • Demonstrates The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ in all aspects of their life.

    • Demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession.

    • Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community.

    • Actively assists women in achieving their full leadership potential.

Global & National Leadership Awards

Presented to leaders and organizations across professional sectors, the ATHENA Leadership Award’s rich history, international scope and focus on mentorship distinguish it as one of the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive.

Nominees must meet each of the following criteria:

  • Demonstrates The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ in all aspects of life.

  • Has assisted women in reaching their potential.

  • Their body of work has had a national or global impact.

  • May represent either the profit or not-for-profit sector.

  • Previous Recipients are not eligible, but past Nominees may be nominated again.

  • There is no minimum or maximum age qualification that must be met by ATHENA Leadership Award Nominees.

  • View Past Global, National, and Community Recipients