Our vision of developing diverse, transformative leaders worldwide is rooted in celebrating the change-makers and trailblazers who open doors of leadership and opportunity and for women in communities across the globe.

Contact our office for more information about becoming an ATHENA Award Community.

With Nearly 8,000 leaders spanning +500 regions representing 48 states and 11 countries Including USA,

Bermuda, UK, China, Canada, Greece, India, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Mexico.

Award Recipients Have Included

C-level executives of major corporations such as Microsoft, GM, Morgan Stanley

Presidents of Universities and Foundations

A NASA astronaut

Human Rights and Social Justice Activists

Philanthropists

Actors and Celebrities

Athletes & Olympic Gold medalists

Ambassadors, Members of Congress

Highest ranking military professionals

US Supreme Court Justice and Secretary of State

Medical and Public Health Advocates 

Notable ATHENA Global Leadership Award Recipients Include

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Nina Totenberg, Billie Jean King, Condoleezza Rice, Christina Koch,

Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords, Mira Sorvino, Gavriella Schuster, and many more.

ATHENA Leadership Award Criteria

The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented by chambers of commerce, women’s organizations and universities to an individual or organization who demonstrates the qualities embodied in the ATHENA Leadership Model and who:

• Has achieved the highest level of professional excellence.
• Contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.
• Actively assists others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential.

Award Community SUBSCRIPTION Pricing & Fees

Your Subscription/License fees must be paid prior to ordering your awards.  Once your account is paid, please review this information to order your physical awards.  Click HERE

SECURING LOCAL SPONSORS

Some host organizations ask their sponsor(s) to underwrite only the cost of the sculpture, while others create a menu of opportunities that brings multiple sponsors and enough financial support to fully fund their event. The sponsors’ level of participation determines how much they receive in return. Recruit sponsors by offering:

• A seat on the ATHENA Award and/or Event Selection Committee.
• Opportunity to present the award.
• Visual presence in all printed materials, including event signage and banner
• Special recognition in the event invitation and program.
• Complimentary event tickets with corporate table opportunity.
• Press release recognizing the sponsor in a local newspaper.
• Special mention and recognition on the host organization’s website.

Whether the event is large or small, the opportunities to attract sponsors are limitless. The ATHENA Award offers built-in flexibility that we encourage you to use to your advantage. Feel free to use content from this linked page when soliciting sponsorships. 

STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Complete License Agreement
Return the license agreement and the annual license fee to ATHENA International. This gives your organization permission to use the ATHENA copyrighted materials and protects the quality and integrity of the ATHENA Leadership Award. Before you begin, contact our office for more information about an ATHENA Award License.

Select your ATHENA Liaison
Choose a point person to oversee the ATHENA Leadership Award in your community.

Establish Planning Committee
This group oversees the logistics, publicity, sponsor recruitment and recipient selections.

Select Event Date
Inform ATHENA International of the date for your ATHENA Leadership Award presentation.

Obtain Local Sponsorship
National underwriters often sponsor local ATHENA Leadership Award events in the communities they serve. While they are always offered the first invitation for local sponsorship, securing additional sponsors is encouraged. Many communities offer multiple sponsorships using tiered levels.

Encourage Local Publicity
Encourage the local sponsor(s) and organizational partners to promote the event in all of their advertising and press releases. Provide written press releases for this purpose.

Call for Nominations
Utilize your community’s resources to reach as many people as possible when seeking nominees for the ATHENA Leadership Award.

Establish Selection Committee
The duty of this group is to review the nominations and through a series of discussions and private, written ballots determine the award recipient.

Order ATHENA Sculpture
Order your sculpture once you have selected your recipient. A sculpture order form will be sent to you upon receipt of your license and payment. Engraving is included in your license.

Order Committee/Nominee Gifts
Order gifts from the ATHENA Merchandise line for your recipient and nominees. Fresh flowers are also suggested for the day of the event.

Identify Keynote Speaker
Arrange for a speaker to deliver an address and congratulate your recipient. This could also be a sponsor benefit to present the award. Some communities ask the recipient or previous year’s recipient to speak as well.

Presentation Follow-up
Submit recipient information to ATHENA International for inclusion in our database. Send any program articles, pictures or press releases for inclusion in our monthly online newsletter.

WHAT Other Award Communities HAVE TO SAY

“The Greenville Chamber is proud to be in partnership with organizations like ATHENA International to bring awareness to the need to fully leverage talents of women and create gender-balanced workplaces.”
— NIKA WHITE, DM, IOM GREENVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

“It is the focus on mentorship that sets this award apart from any other. There are other award programs in place that recognize the achievements of women, but the ATHENA Award recognizes efforts made to open doors of leadership opportunity for other women in the community.”
— ROSEMARY CORSETTI THE GREATER PITTSBURGH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How you get started:

• Simply review, sign and return the ATHENA Award subscription and fee.
• You will receive a handbook, complete with guidelines and winning strategies to implementing the ATHENA Award in your community.
• In order to avoid the $200 rush fee and ensure you receive your award on time for your event please following following requirements:

1. Global/National Award submissions must be made to ATHENA International for approval - 1 year prior to intended event date.
2. Local ATHENA Award orders must be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to your event date.
3. Young Professional and Organizational Award orders must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to your event date. 
   

How you can make the most of our involvement:

• Be creative. The event is flexible, allowing plenty of room for innovation and creativity.
• Collaborate with other communities in your state or region who host ATHENA Award events to share ideas and resources.
• Let ATHENA hear from you. We welcome your feedback and are always available to help ensure successful programming.

ATHENA Leadership Award Event Subscription - Additionally Includes the Following:

• Rights to host the ATHENA Award Event
  
• Award event materials: handbook, program forms, graphic files, promotional items, sponsor materials and access to ATHENA online resources
• Photos and/or articles featuring your ATHENA Recipient in the ATHENA ENews (Must be submitted by Local Award Community)
• Link to your website and program information on ATHENA website
  
• Customer Service support for award orders from ATHENA International

Additional Possible Benefits Include the Following:

• Your organization and community will provide an environment where women’s accomplishments and contributions are valued. 
• Recognizing outstanding individuals in your community clearly defines role models & mentors for others to emulate and network with.
• Affiliation with an international network of like minded individuals, creates leadership opportunities for women encourages the empowerment of diverse leadership. 
• Sizable attendance at award events by community and business leaders promotes positive relations and networking opportunities.
• Substantial media coverage results in exposure for sponsoring businesses and organizations.