Michelle Proctor Named 2022 ATHENA National Award Recipient
SAS executive recognized for leadership, advocacy efforts to elevate women in STEM
LANSING, Mich. — ATHENA International today announced Michelle Proctor as the 2022 ATHENA National Award recipient. Proctor, chief of staff to the SAS Risk Research & Quantitative Solutions Division, is a fierce advocate for women in STEM and leads internal and external women’s initiatives groups at the global AI and analytics leader headquartered in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Region.
“As a strong advocate for women and girls in technology and an active ally of ATHENA International, Michelle Proctor is a real-life example of the Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership that make up our ATHENA Leadership Model,” said Traci Corey, president and CEO of ATHENA International. “We are proud to recognize Michelle and all of her accomplishments and add her to the remarkable list of ATHENA’s Global and National Leadership award recipients.”
ATHENA International presents Global and National awards to individuals who have achieved the highest level of professional excellence; contribute time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community; and actively assist others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential. Proctor joins notable past ATHENA Global and National award recipients, including Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, former professional tennis player Billie Jean King, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, and author and social justice advocate Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole.
“Michelle exemplifies the SAS values and promotes our diversity, equity and inclusion mission each day,” said Jenn Mann, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at SAS. “With a fierce passion for bringing more women into STEM, she has helped build inclusive, global communities that support and encourage women to succeed in and out of the workplace.”
After holding positions at NASA and IBM, Proctor joined SAS in 2012 and now serves as a chief of staff, where she is responsible for the daily operations of 250 global employees across the Risk Research & Quantitative Solutions Division. She also serves as the sponsor of the internal SAS Women’s Initiatives Network (WIN) and as a co-creator and leader of the external Women in Analytics (WIA) network — an open community that aims to further SAS’ mission to strengthen diversity in the analytics field around the world. Extending her impact, Proctor also volunteers with several nonprofit organizations across North Carolina, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Raleigh, ATHENA of the Triangle, and the Triangle Dress for Success chapter.
Learn more about diversity and inclusion at SAS.