EIGHT AREA WOMEN ARE FINALISTS FOR THE GREATER STARK COUNTY ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARD TO BE HONORED ON MARCH 21, 2013

Eight local women of accomplishment will be honored at the 2^nd Annual Greater Stark County ATHENA Leadership Awards on March 21. The finalists include Shelly Chadwick, Controller-Process Industries, the Timken Company; the Honorable Judge Taryn Heath, Stark County Court of Common Pleas; Maria Heege, CEO, the United Way of Greater Stark County; Dr. Para Jones, President, Stark State College; Judith E. Barnes Lancaster, Attorney at Law; Lorie Miller, Director of Community Educational Outreach, the University of Mount Union; Corey Minor Smith, Director of Legal Services, Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority and Vicky Sterling, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Pinnacle Press, Inc. 

The  ATHENA Leadership Award  is an international honor that celebrates exemplary leadership among professional women. This is the second year the Athena’s will take place in our community, but this prestigious award has a rich history. International in scope, the award anchors its focus in what the nominees have done over their career to bring women along. While their contributions to their community and profession are also considerations, what they have done for women is the key determinant of who is given this high honor, a nuance that distinguishes it as one of the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive. Women’s Impact Inc. is proud to bring this significant recognition to Stark County.

Since the program’s inception in 1982, nearly 6,000 exemplary leaders in more than 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Award in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. Nominees are women who are are making, or have made, significant contributions in three ways:

     • By actively assisting women in achieving their full leadership potential

     • By providing valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community

     • By demonstrating excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession

Laura Baloun of LPL Financial and Paula Mastroianni of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Stark County are the co-chairmen. “Our intention in bringing the ATHENA’s to Stark County was to recognize the many outstanding women we have within our community, not only for their personal and professional accomplishments, but even more so to showcase what they are doing to groom our next generation of female leaders.” stated Baloun. The selection committee, led by Mastroianni included Janet Weir Creighton, Stark County Commissioner and Renee Powell,  golf pro and owner of Clearview Golf Course, both 2012 recipients, and Norma J. Rist, CEO of Norma Rist Consulting, an Akron Athena recipient. “The committee was quite challenged by having to choose the recipient from the outstanding women of this inaugural class” stated  Mastroianni.” It was a daunting task.”

Tickets are $75 that includes dinner and the event. A 10% discount is provided as benefit of membership  at the $250 plus levels. Reserve your space today conveniently on-line at www.womensimpactinc.com

To find out more about the Women’s Impact Initiative and/or the ATHENA leadership Award, go to www.womensimpactinc.com  and/or www.athenainternational.org.

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The Women’s Impact Inc is a network of professionally-minded women who seek ways to advance women in leadership, fostering an atmosphere in our region to leverages the unique capabilities and perspectives of women. For more information, or to become a member, visit www.womensimpactinc.com .