Wayne Bank and Trust Co. and Indiana University East are pleased to announce the second annual ATHENA Leadership Award® Dinner to be held at 6 p.m. on June 23, 2015, at Forest Hills Country Club, located at 2169 South 23rd St. in Richmond, Indiana.

The event will recognize women leaders who motivate, inspire and create positive change in the community. Mary Jo Clark, a long-time community builder and leader in Wayne County, won the prestigious award last year.

Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s ATHENA Leadership Award® which will be presented at the dinner to an exemplary leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way and, most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential. The keynote speaker will be Lin Dunn, former Indiana Fever basketball coach and a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Mark Soukup, president of Wayne Bank said, “There are so many women in this community who do amazing things every day. I am pleased to be part of an event that recognizes their continued leadership. We are very blessed in this community.”

Founded 30 years ago, ATHENA International is a women’s leadership organization that supports, develops and honors women leaders through the programs it administers. ATHENA’s flagship program, the ATHENA Leadership Award® Program, has honored over 6,250 women leaders from hundreds of cities and eight countries since its inception in 1982. The program is facilitated locally by Wayne Bank and Trust Co. and Indiana University East, licensed ATHENA host organizations. Nominations are sought throughout the community and recipients are selected by a diverse group of community leaders based on the criteria above.

IU East Chancellor Kathy Cruz-Uribe said, “IU East is very pleased to partner with Wayne Bank to bring this tradition of recognizing our female leaders to Wayne County. These women serve as shining examples of leadership and service to our students and our community. It is an honor to recognize their achievements in this manner.”

ATHENA Leadership Award® recipients hail from all professional sectors. The award’s rich history, international scope and emphasis on mentorship make this award unique and amongst the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive.

Wayne Bank and IU East are honored to, once again, bring this award to Wayne County. ATHENA Leadership Award® recipients are presented a hand-cast, bronzed and crystal sculpture that symbolizes the strength, courage and wisdom of ATHENA recipients. The Wayne County recipient will be invited to join ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients and other leaders at the annual ATHENA International Women’s Leadership Summit held each year.

Wayne Bank and IU East believe 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. Reflective of a quote attributed to Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there,” the ATHENA Leadership Award® honors and illuminates the leaders and leadership styles of individuals others would emulate.

ATHENA International is nationally underwritten by KMPG. Local sponsorship is provided by Wayne Bank and Trust Co. and Indiana University East. Event proceeds will benefit a non-profit organization to be determined.

Nominations will be accepted until May 11, 2015. Nomination and sponsorship forms may be obtained at waynebankonline.com or by contacting Norene Groth, director of Marketing at Wayne Bank and Trust Co., at (765) 259-0208 ngroth@waynebnk.com or Terry Wiesehan, director of Alumni Relations at IU East, at (765) 973-8221 or twiesaha@iue.edu.