The ATHENA Awards Celebration is entering its 33rd year of recognizing fierce female forces for change in the Grand Rapids region.
Since 1990, the Grand Rapids Chamber has presented awards in partnership with ATHENA International. This non-profit organization is dedicated to building a global pipeline of women leaders to create a balance of voices in leadership worldwide.
Three awards will be presented at the 33rd Annual ATHENA Awards Celebration: honoring two individuals and one organization that serve as a driving force for change in our West Michigan community. The recipients of these awards will join a history of over 8,000+ leaders spanning 48 states and 11 countries including the USA, Bermuda, the UK, Chine, Canada, Greece, India, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, and Mexico.
The Illuminating Impact
More than just celebrating women, the ATHENA Awards Celebration emphasizes the importance of female empowerment and the investment in women at every level within our organizations.
From multi-billion-dollar corporations to brick-and-mortar businesses, inclusive initiatives are critical for attracting top talent and building a powerhouse team. The ATHENA community builds positive role models for female employees, encourages leaders to strive for better, and acts as a beacon of hope to women of all industries.
Furthermore, it’s a space for the executive leaders in our region to take a step back and recognize the ways in which they could be uplifting the female voices day in and day out.
About the Awards
The first ATHENA Awards Celebration presented the ATHENA Leadership Award, which honors an outstanding leader for their qualities of professional excellence, community service, and actively assisting women in their attainment of excellence and leadership skills.
In 2008, the celebration introduced a new award in addition to the ATHENA Leadership Award, the ATHENA Young Professional Award. This recognition honors an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession. The recipient also must serve as a role model for young women personally and professional and provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in the community.
Honoring Inclusive Organizations
Since 2019, the Grand Rapids Chamber has expanded the ATHENA Awards categories to include an organizational recognition. The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award honors businesses and organizations in the Grand Rapids area that may not necessarily serve women directly through their line of work, but sets an example for gender equality in the workplace.
Former organizational recipients include LCS Record Retrieval, Lindo Mexico, and New Destiny Pathways.
Register Now!
The 33rd Annual ATHENA Awards Celebration takes place on Wednesday, September 28 and is the crown jewel of the Grand Rapids Chamber’s ATHENA programming for the year. Nominate a leader or organization that should be considered for these prestigious awards by Thursday, June 30.
Register now or reserve a table for your team here.
