2012 Geneva ATHENA Award Nominees

ATHENA Geneva honored six women today on Rose Day when each was presented with a rose signifying their nomination for the prestigious ATHENA Award.ATHENA International was established in 1982. The ATHENA award is given annually to women in communities around the world to recognize leaders who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession, while assisting women to reach their full leadership potential. The ATHENA Award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment—qualities embodied in the ATHENA Model®. ATHENA Award nominees are 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. Actively assist others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential.The six women nominated this year are:Kelly BradleyExecutive Director, Smith Center for the ArtsNominated by Lisa Ventura-StantonJulie ChampionExecutive Director, Child & Family Resources, Inc.Nominated by the Board of Directors of Child & Family Resources Inc. Kelly MittigaSenior Vice President, Director of Deposit and Retail Operations, First Niagara BankNominated by Mark and Belinda Venuti Elaine MorrowPrincipal, St. Francis-St. Stephen’s SchoolNominated by Mary Friday, Mary Ann Bender, and Cathy CasterKathy Brown RyrkoDirector, Child Care Center, Finger Lakes HealthNominated by Patrick BoyleKaren SpringmeierExecutive Director, Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, Inc. Nominated by Mary LuckernA Nominee Reception to honor and officially introduce the 2012 nominees will take place on Tuesday, August 7th at 4:00pm at the Ramada Geneva Lakefront. Free and open to family, friends, coworkers, and guests. Please RSVP to the Chamber by August 2nd. “This prestigious award provides our community an environment where women’s accomplishments and contributions are valued and clearly defines role models for others to emulate. Our community has been overwhelmingly receptive and supportive of the ATHENA program, and we are pleased to present the award for an eighth time in September,” said Jessica McGuigan, Program Manager of the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce. The ATHENA Awards Gala is September 13th at Club 86 where we will present one of the six nominees with the 2012 ATHENA Award. Mike Barnard Auto Group, located on Hamilton Street in Geneva, is the founding sponsor of the event. The first seven ATHENA recipients were: Nancee Scott, retired Vice President of Retail Sales, Seneca Falls Savings Bank; Dr. Jane McCaffrey, Finger Lakes Medical Associates; Lucile Mallard, Finger Lakes Misdemeanor Drug Court Resource Coordinator; Lara Chatel Turbide, Vice President Community Services, Finger Lakes Health; Mary Boatfield, Chief Executive Officer, Happiness House – Finger Lakes Cerebral Palsy Association; Dr. Margaret P. Kennedy, Child and Adolescent Licensed Psychologist; and Arlene Francis, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of Geneva Sponsorship opportunities for the ATHENA program are still available. The ATHENA Award program is a worthy investment. Your participation sends a clear message that your business invests in your community. The caliber of the ATHENA Award Nominees and Recipients ensures great media coverage and visibility for your business. For more information, contact Jessica McGuigan at the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce at (315) 789-1776.