ATHENA Tickets on Sale Now!

Join the Chamber on March 11 as we celebrate 5 years of honoring leaders in our community. The ATHENA Award® honors individuals who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession, who provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and who actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential.

Tickets for the 5th Annual ATHENA Award® Ceremony and Luncheon are on sale now. The luncheon takes place on March 11 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m at Ceruti's Summit Park. Tickets are $35 per person. Click here to purchase tickets. RSVP's are required by Monday, March 2, so act now!

To reserve your seat, or a table of eight, register online or call the Chamber at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266.

2009 ATHENA Nominees

Congratulations to the 2009 ATHENA Award® Nominees :

Barbara Berghoff – President/CEO - Pro Fed Credit Union

Kristi Cortezano – Account Development Rep – T-Mobile

Kim Gonzalez – Communications Manager – Do It Best Corp.

Karen Gregerson – Sr VP/Chief Financial Officer – STAR Financial Bank

Cindy Joyner – Director – Neighborhood Code Enforcement

Linda Kluczinske – Director, Counselor, Minister – Wings of Hope

Kathleen Randolph – President/CEO – WorkOne Northeast

Barb Richards – Program Director – WAJI Majic 95.1FM

Sherri Weidman – CEO – Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana - Michiana

Brenda West – Principal, Adams Elementary – FWCS

Lena Yarian – President – Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana

Please join us in celebrating these remarkable women at the Chamber’s 5th Annual ATHENA Award® Luncheon on March 11, 2009 at Ceruti’s Summit Park (6601 Innovation Blvd.) Tickets are $35, $280 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, click here. For more information please contact (260) 424-1435.

ATHENA Scholarship Deadline Extended to 2/6

The ATHENA Scholarship deadline has been extended to Friday, February 6. If you know a female high school senior, class of 2009, who plans to attend college anywhere in the state of Indiana then have her apply!

The application and information can be found on the Chamber home page at www.fwchamber.org.

For more information please contact Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Do You Know a High School Senior?

Each year the ATHENA Award® program presents several $1,000 scholarships to outstanding area students. The ATHENA scholarships are open to 2009 Indiana high school graduates attending a two- or four-year college or vocational school in Indiana.

Assistance will be given to women demonstrating outstanding leadership in their high school and community. Recipients may attend school half time (at least 6 credit hours) or full time.

For an application visit http://www.fwchamber.org/. Deadline is Monday, February 2.

For more information please contact Kristi Holmes, Vice President of Communications & Member Relations at (260) 424-1435 or kholmes@fwchamber.org.

ATHENA Deadline Extended Until Friday

The nomination deadline for the 5th Annual ATHENA Award® Program has been extended until Friday, January 9 at 5 p.m. The ATHENA Award® Program will be presented at a luncheon March 11 at Ceruti's Summit Park.

ATHENA celebrates exceptional individuals who have achieved excellence in their profession, have served the community in a meaningful way and have assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. Nomination forms and criteria are available at www.fwchamber.org.

For more information please contact Kristi Holmes, Vice President of Communications & Member Relations at (260) 424-1435 or kholmes@fwchamber.org.

ATHENA Nominations Due Monday January 5

Help celebrate the remarkable individuals in our community. The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce it is now seeking nominations for the 5th Annual ATHENA Award® and also applications for ATHENA Scholarships which will be presented at a luncheon March 11, 2009 at Ceruti's Summit Park.

The ATHENA Award® program celebrates exceptional individuals who have achieved excellence in their profession, have served the community in a meaningful way and have assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. Nomination forms and criteria are available at www.fwchamber.org and are due next Monday, January 5, 2009 by 5 p.m.

For more information please contact Kristi Holmes, Vice President of Communications & Member Relations at (260) 424-1435 or kholmes@fwchamber.org.

Apply Now: ATHENA Nominations & Scholarships

Help celebrate the remarkable individuals in our community. The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce it is now seeking nominations for the 5th Annual ATHENA Award® and also applications for ATHENA Scholarships which will be presented at a luncheon March 11, 2009 at Ceruti's Summit Park.

The ATHENA Award® program celebrates exceptional individuals who have achieved excellence in their profession, have served the community in a meaningful way and have assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. Nomination forms and criteria are available at www.fwchamber.org and are due January 5, 2009.

Several $1,000 scholarships are also available to outstanding area students. Established in 2006 by the Fort Wayne ATHENA planning committee to provide scholarship assistance for 2009 high school graduates attending a two- or four-year college or vocational school in Indiana. Assistance will be given to women demonstrating outstanding leadership in their high school and community. Recipients may attend school half time (at least 6 credit hours) or full time. For an application visit http://www.fwchamber.org/. Deadline is Monday, February 2.

For more information please contact Kristi Holmes, Vice President of Communications & Member Relations at (260) 424-1435 or kholmes@fwchamber.org.

2009 ATHENA Award Luncheon Scheduled

The 2009 ATHENA Award Luncheon will take place on March 11. Mark your calendars now for an exciting event honoring incredible community leaders for their support of women in the community.

Watch for nomination forms and deadlines this fall. For more information on how to get involved with ATHENA contact Christy Drake at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266.

ATHENA Committee Forming

It is with great excitement that the Chamber enters our fifth year of hosting the Northeast Indiana ATHENA® Award program. Our community is truly blessed with individuals that mentor women in professional and personal development.

This year we are pleased to announce that Ms. Sandi Kemmish, 2008 ATHENA recipient, will be leading our program as ATHENA Committee Chairperson. As we approach the planning stages for 2009 we are actively searching for those who are interested in joining the ATHENA Committee and interested in improving and growing the ATHENA program.

If you are interested in making a difference on the ATHENA Committee please contact Shannon McNett-Silcox at smsilcox@fwchamber.org.

Pictures From the ATHENA Luncheon

Sandi Kemmish, this year's ATHENA Award recipient is congratulated by last year's recipient, Dottie Davis as well as Karen Goldner (left) and Stacy Novotny (right), two of this year's nominees.

Sandi Kemmish poses with previous recipients Dottie Davis (left) and Dr. Wendy Robinson (right)

Congratulations to Sandi Kemmish, ATHENA Award Recipient

Congratulations to Sandi Kemmish, the 2008 ATHENA Award® Program Recipient. Sandi was honored at the ATHENA Award program and luncheon this afternoon at the Landmark Conference and Reception Centre.

The ATHENA Award Program recognizes individuals for professional excellence, for providing valuable service to their community and for assisting women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. This is the Chamber's fourth year of presenting the program.

Sandi is the head of Lincoln Financial Foundation, and manages various activities across the country. She has a BS in English/French and an MS in English Education, and she taught high school and middle school for more than ten years. She has been an active board member and volunteer leader for nonprofits everywhere she has lived, including Ireland. Since moving to Fort Wayne in 1991, she has served in leadership capacities for the YWCA, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Junior League, Arts United, Super Shot, and Community Partnerships Inc. Sandi has been a board member for Junior Leagues International since 1997 and currently serves as President. She and her husband Kirk have a son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters.

“Being nominated for the Athena Award is such a humbling experience and a reminder of the importance that every person plays as a catalyst for community improvement and a mentor to other women,” said Kemmish.

Congratulations to Sandi and all the exceptional 2008 nominees for their outstanding leadership:
Beth Murphy Beams, The Center for Nonviolence, Inc.
Cheri Becker, Invent Tomorrow
Crystal Thomas, Levan Scott Academy
Kathleen Ann Schrock, Ivy Tech College
Kathy Friend, Fort Wayne Community Schools
Karen Goldner, Fourth Wave, LLC
Marjorie Stephens, Better Business Bureau
Rachel Tobin-Smith, SCAN, Inc.
Sandi Kemmish, Lincoln Financial Foundation
Stacy Novotny, Salin Bank & Trust Company
Stacey Smith, Prairie Quest Consulting

A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, BKD, LLP for their fourth year of generous support.

Lt. Governor to Attend ATHENA Luncheon

We just found out today that Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is going to attend the ATHENA Award® Program on March 27.

The luncheon takes place at The Landmark Conference and Reception Centre at 11:30 a.m.

TOMORROW is the last day to reserve your seats for the ATHENA Luncheon. Corporate tables can be purchased for $200 or individual seats for $25. Contact Christy Drake in Member Relations for more information at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or cdrake@fwchamber.org.

ATHENA Nominees Announced

The Chamber has announced the 12 ATHENA nominees for the 2008 awards program. Congratulations to the following outstanding candidates:

Crystal Thomas, Levan Scott Academy

Patricia Miller, Vera Bradley
Sandi Kemmish, Lincoln Financial Foundation
Kathy Friend, Fort Wayne Community Schools
Beth Murphy Beams, The Center for Nonviolence, Inc.
Cheri Becker, Invent Tomorrow
Rachel Tobin-Smith, SCAN, Inc.
Kathleen Ann Schrock, Ivy Tech College
Stacy Novotny, Salin Bank & Trust Company
Marjorie Stephens, Better Business Bureau
Karen Goldner, Fourth Wave, LLC
Stacey Smith, Prairie Quest Consulting

The recipient will be revealed on March 27. Seats are just $25. Contact Christy Drake at (260) 424-1435 ext. 266 or cdrake@fwchamber.org to make a reservation. Visit http://www.fwathena.org/ for more information.