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. ATHENA Award
The ATHENA Award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment—qualities embodied in the ATHENA leadership model. The ATHENA Award is presented to a woman ---or man--- who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. Since the program’s inception in 1982, nearly 6,000 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Award in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, Unite Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. A natural extension of the ATHENA Award, the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award honors emerging women leaders and the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award honors businesses and organizations that support the advancement of women’s leadership. The Global ATHENA Award is presented annually at the ATHENA International Leadership Summit to high-profile women leaders and businesses. Recipients of the Global ATHENA Awards meet the same criteria as the original ATHENA Award, and one additional criterion: the recipients’ body of work has positive national or international impact for women and girls. ATHENAPowerLink®
The ATHENAPowerLink® program is a business mentoring program designed to increase the growth and profitability of women owned businesses. Although the number of women owned businesses has been growing fast and furiously for some time, the growth rate for women business owners is slower than that of their male counterparts. ATHENAPowerLink® strives to help women business owners navigate hurdles and barriers to growth such as achieving access to new networks, mentors, capital best business practices, staff/employee management issues, etc. The premise is simple—a panel of expert volunteers advises a woman business owner on important issues specific to her business with the goal of increasing the development and success of her business. The program “links” a woman business owner with an Advisory Panel, recruited from the local community, to work with her at no cost for one year. ATHENA International Women’s Leadership Day Luncheon
ATHENA International Women’s Leadership Day, created by established women leaders to extend a hand to the next generation of women leaders. On September 20, 2011 over 100 communities across ATHENA International’s global footprint will celebrate ATHENA International Women’s Leadership Day by hosting a new ATHENA event. ATHENA Leadership Forum
The ATHENA Leadership Forum is rooted in the ATHENA Leadership Model and focuses on having experienced women leaders meet and mentor emerging women leaders. Created by established women leaders wishing to mentor and develop the next generation of women leaders, ATHENA Women’s Leadership Day celebrates women helping women and provides a forum for women leaders to make meaningful connections with one another. ATHENA International Leadership Summit
The annual ATHENA International Leadership Summit, held each spring in Chicago, provides an intimate forum for established and emerging leaders to enhance their personal and professional leadership development. The summit offers outstanding speakers, informative breakout sessions and terrific networking opportunities for leaders across professional sectors. The emphasis on a holistic approach to leadership, as contained in the ATHENA Leadership Model, makes the summit unique among leadership seminars of its kind. ATHENA Leadership Circle
Joining the ATHENA Leadership Circle is the first step to connect more closely with ATHENA International stakeholders in our mission to support, honor and develop women leaders. Your membership provides you with numerous benefits and allows you to expand your personal network of women leaders across professional sectors. Becoming a founding member helps ATHENA expand membership opportunities and benefits to a wider circle of women leaders. Join today! ATHENA Connections
ATHENA Connections provides a model for collaboration between established women leaders and universities. The program is based on sharing the practical application of the ATHENA Leadership Model and utilizes ATHENA Award Recipients and nominees as guest lecturers, mentors and role models for college aged women.
