The ATHENA Awards are an international honor that recognizes those who demonstrate excellence in professional leadership, community service, and mentorship within their local communities.
Each year, the Grand Rapids Chamber highlights these individuals and organizations at the ATHENA Awards Celebration. Nominations for this award are accepted from Monday, May 11, through Friday, June 12, and will be reviewed by the ATHENA Selection Committee to determine award finalists and recipients.
About the Awards:
Award criteria is based on eight guiding principles of leadership:
Authentic Self | Relationships | Giving Back | Collaboration | Courageous Acts | Learning | Fierce Advocacy | Celebration and Joy
Find the full criteria at the nominations link above. Nominations will remain open until Friday, June 12.
We empower, connect, and equip women in West Michigan to fearlessly lead and cultivate our next generation of leaders.
ATHENA, an affinity group of the Grand Rapids Chamber, provides the information, access, and connections to support the professional development of women professionals in West Michigan. The scheduled events and programs of ATHENA are built upon 8 Principles: Learning, Relationships, Celebration & Joy, Courageous Acts, Fierce Advocacy, Authentic Self, Collaboration, and Giving Back.
ATHENA Grand Rapids focuses on issues and topics relevant to women professionals at all career levels in corporations, small businesses, public and non-profit organizations within our community. The program offers the annual ATHENA Leadership Award, ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, and ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award, scholarships to women, and leadership forums and events.
Mission & Vision: Ignite, Amplify, and Celebrate Women Leaders.
ATHENA International is a catalyst for developing diverse, transformative leaders worldwide through experiential programs that ignite, amplify, and celebrate girls, women, and allies – from young scholars to seasoned professionals.
WHO ARE resuming or completing
their educational journey
Awarded Since the beginning of
the program
THROUGH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS SINCE 2019
The ATHENA Council meets quarterly and attends multiple Grand Rapids Chamber ATHENA events throughout the year, including the leadership forums and awards celebration. We ask that our council members commit to attending 80% of our ATHENA programming for the year. Please only apply if you are able to make this commitment.
Additions to the Council will be reviewed in November of every year for a January 1st start date.
Grace Gavin | Know Honesty | 2026 Council Chair
Alyssa Jester | Huntington Bank | 2026 Council Vice Chair
Amanda Brand | MINDSCAPE
Julie Cullen | West Michigan Sports Commission
Ashley Diersch | Paws With A Cause
Lacey Dixon | Max and Mortar
Carol Kendra | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Sarah Marilyn | Answer Health
Carly Munoz | Priority Health
Elisa Rodriguez | M&I Interiors
Melissa Stanley | AHC Hospitality
Allie Walker | Truscott Rossman
ATHENA Grand Rapids recognizes that gender and identity are part of a spectrum and can be complex. We welcome dialogue and questions. We also wish to create a safer space for the expression and growth of all nonbinary, trans, intersex, genderfluid people, and people who are also members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Please reach out to:
Senior Events Project Manager & ATHENA Program Manager
