2025 ATHENA Nominations Now Being Accepted
The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce nominations are now being accepted for the annual ATHENA Award, which will be presented in spring 2026 to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in her/his business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. Nominations are being accepted through January 16, 2026.
Nomination Instructions
The ATHENA Award actively supports and celebrates the ATHENA mission of supporting, developing and honoring women leaders, inspiring women to achieve their full potential—creating balance in leadership worldwide. The ATHENA Award honors women who strive toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and forge paths of leadership for other women to follow.
CRITERIA:
ATHENA recipients must:
PROCESS:
A Selection Committee, comprised of previous ATHENA Award recipients, will carefully review all nominations and determine the recipient of the ATHENA Award. The award will be presented at a dedicated luncheon or reception.
CRITERIA:
ATHENA recipients must:
- Live or work in Great Falls or the surrounding area
- Assist women in reaching their full leadership potential
- Demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession
- Provide valuable service by devoting time and energy to improving the quality of life for others in the community
PROCESS:
A Selection Committee, comprised of previous ATHENA Award recipients, will carefully review all nominations and determine the recipient of the ATHENA Award. The award will be presented at a dedicated luncheon or reception.
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ATHENA Award Recipients
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1986 – Barb Moe
1987 – Irene G. Russell 1988 – Marva Hoard 1989 – Helen Spurgin 1990 – Jeanne Kelley Pugh 1991 – Marilyn Rose 1992 – Nancy O’Brien 1993 – Joan Bennett 1994 – Sheila Rice 1995 – Nancy Trackwell 1996 – Ardi Aiken 1997 – Ronda Banik 1998 – Jane Weber 1999 – Colleen Kunz 2000 – Susan Humble 2001 – Susanne Waring 2002 – JoAnn Roach 2003 – Peggy Bourne 2004 – Mary Sheehy Moe 2005 – Cheryl Patton |
2006 – Deb Evans
2007 – Pam Guschausky 2008 – Michelle Belknap 2009 – Kathy Rice 2010 – Leslie Oakland Thomas 2011 – Beth McFadden 2012 – Cari Bennett-Yturri 2013 – Brenda Peterson 2014 – Sandra Johnson-Thares 2015 – Tammy Lacey 2016 – Linda Caricaburu 2017 – Dr. Susan Wolff 2018 – Sue Warren 2019 – Deborah Kottel 2020 - Alison Fried 2021 - Karen Brandvold 2022 - Becky Nelson 2023 - Molly Beck 2024 - Jamie Marshall |
We Stand Tall Recipients
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The We Stand Tall Award recognizes individuals who have exemplified outstanding community involvement, serving as a positive example for future generations. We stand tall because we are supported by the efforts of those who came before us. This award specifically honors those who may not hold formal leadership positions but are quiet, unsung heroes or heroines within their communities. Recipients may be professionals, business owners, retirees, or individuals who have not worked outside the home, yet their contributions have made a lasting impact.
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Molly Person
MA Roberts Bill and Joan Nell McFadden Nancy Davidson Judy Erickson Arlyne Reichert Gerry Jennings The Oakland Family Norma Ashby-Smith Tammie Hickey Mary Lehman |
About the ATHENA Leadership Award
The ATHENA Leadership 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 Award is unique in both scope—local, national and international—and the ATHENA mission upon which it is based. The ATHENA Leadership 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.
The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan and has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as in Canada, China, Russia and the United Kingdom. The award takes the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture symbolizing the strength, courage and wisdom of the recipient.
The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce believes in the values underlying ATHENA International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities and our government. The spirit of the ATHENA Award® Program is captured in a quotation from Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there.” By honoring exceptional leaders, others will be encouraged to excel.
The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan and has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as in Canada, China, Russia and the United Kingdom. The award takes the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture symbolizing the strength, courage and wisdom of the recipient.
The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce believes in the values underlying ATHENA International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities and our government. The spirit of the ATHENA Award® Program is captured in a quotation from Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there.” By honoring exceptional leaders, others will be encouraged to excel.