Nominations are open for the 2024 ATHENA® Leadership and Young Professional Leadership (YPL) ATHENA® Awards, and we need your help identifying potential recipients. These awards recognize exceptional women who excel in their careers, contribute to their communities, and develop women leaders.

ATHENA® and YPL ATHENA® Award recipients will be recognized at the 2024 Women’s Business Conference Thursday, Oct. 24, at Gilley’s Dallas.

The ATHENA® Award, presented by Wells Fargo, recognizes individuals who have attained and embody the highest level of professional excellence and actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential. The YPL ATHENA® Award, presented by KPMG, recognizes women under 40 who demonstrate excellence and creativity in their profession and contribute time and energy to service to their community.

Is there a person in your organization or circle of influence you believe demonstrates these characteristics? Submit a nomination by 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 30.

ATHENA® AWARD SPONSOR
YPL ATHENA® AWARD SPONSOR

Submit Your Nomination

Nominations for the ATHENA® and YPL ATHENA® Awards are due 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 30.

 

  • Nomination Criteria

    ATHENA® Award, presented by Wells Fargo

        • ATHENA® nominees may represent the non-profit or for-profit sectors.
        • Previous recipients are not eligible for nomination, but past nominees may be nominated again.
        • There is no minimum or maximum age qualification.

    YPL ATHENA® Award, presented by KPMG

        • YPL ATHENA® nominees must be 40 years of age or younger.
        • Nominees can represent either the non-profit or for-profit sectors.
        • Previous recipients are not eligible for nomination, but past nominees may be nominated again.
  • Nomination Tips
        • Tell the nominee you plan to nominate her and solicit input from other people who know her.
        • Focus on anecdotes and examples, less on adjectives.
        • Focus on results, not superlatives.
        • Do not exceed the character limits in the nomination forms.
  • About the ATHENA® Leadership Program

    The annual ATHENA® Leadership Program Awards are presented by chambers of commerce, women’s organizations, and universities worldwide. Almost 8,000 leaders — including a Supreme Court Justice, Olympic medalist, Secretary of State, NASA astronaut, social justice advocates, and CEOs of major corporations — have been recognized with the ATHENA® Leadership award in more than 500 regions representing 48 states and 11 countries.

    The Dallas Regional Chamber proudly hosts Dallas’ ATHENA® program in conjunction with its annual Women’s Business Conference.

  • Past Recipients of Dallas Awards
        • 2023 – Dr. Candice Lucas-Bledsoe, Founder & Global Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Action Research Cernter and Research Professor, Southern Methodist University (ATHENA®); Ashlee Davidson, Vice President of Communications for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (YPL ATHENA®) 
        • 2022 Alfreda B. Norman, Senior Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (ATHENA®); Alexis A. Clark, Anchor Business Unit Manager, Hilti (YPL ATHENA®)
        • 2020 – Debbie Dennis, Chief Customer Officer and SVP Human Resources & Corporate Affairs, Oncor (ATHENA®); Ana I. Rodriguez, Managing Director of the Latino Leadership Initiative, SMU Cox School of Business (YPL ATHENA®) 
        • 2018 – Roslyn Dawson Thompson, President and CEO, Texas Women’s Foundation (ATHENA®); Amber Venz-Box, President and Co-Founder, rewardStyle (YPL ATHENA®) 
        • 2017 – Cynthia Marshall, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer, AT&T Inc. (ATHENA®); Lacy Durham, Tax Manager, Deloitte Tax, LLP (ATHENA® YPL) 
        • 2015 – Maribess Miller, Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (ATHENA®); Lauren Mutti, Jackson Walker LLP (ATHENA® YPL) 
        • 2014 – Kathleen LaValle, Dallas CASA (ATHENA®); Suzanne Smith, Social Impact Architects and Flywheel (ATHENA® YPL) 
        • 2013 – Hattie Hill, Women’s Foodservice Forum   (ATHENA®); Sara Duran, Sidley Austin LLP (ATHENA® YPL) 
        • 2012 – Judge Barbara Lynn, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (ATHENA®); Amanda L. Bush, Jackson Walker LLP (ATHENA® YPL) 
        • 2011 – Anne Motsenbocker, Chase (ATHENA®); Jasmin Brand, Brandpointe (ATHENA® YPL) 
        • 2010 – Carol Roehrigbkm Total Office of Texas 
        • 2009 – Catherine Rodewald, Prudential Asset Resources and Prudential Mortgage Capital Company 
        • 2008 – Suzanne CharriereCorgan Associates   
        • 2007 – Wanda Brice, The Women’s Museum   
        • 2006 – Wendy Lopez, LOPEZGARCIA GROUP   
        • 2005 – Becky Sykes, Dallas Women’s Foundation   
        • 2004 – Camille Keith, Southwest Airlines   
        • 2003 – Retta Miller, Jackson Walker LLP 
        • 2002 – Valerie Freeman, Imprimis Group 
        • 2001 – Liz MinyardMinyard Food Stores   
        • 2000 – Grace McDermott, U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce 
        • 1999 – Brenda Jackson, TXU Electric Delivery   
        • 1998 – Gale Duff-Bloom, JCPenney Company, Inc.   
        • 1997 – Norma Lea Beasley, SAFECO Texas 
        • 1996 – Jinger Heath, BeautiControl Cosmetics   
        • 1995 – Tegwin Pulley, Texas Instruments