The deadline to submit nominations for this year’s ATHENA Leadership Award® and the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26.

The ATHENA Leadership Award® will be presented 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 event recognizes women leaders who motivate, inspire and create positive change in the community. Previous award recipients include Mary Jo Clark, Jackie Carberry, Kim Poinsett, Angie Dickman and Janice Buhl-Macy.

The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership 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. ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Nominees are 18-35 years age. Nominees are emerging women leaders who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession.  Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community. Clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally. The first recipient of the award was Jessie Pilewski.

Nomination forms are available at waynecoathena.com.

The awards will be presented at the annual dinner at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Forest Hills Country Club, located at 2169 South 23rd St. in Richmond, Ind.

Founded in 1982, 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. The program is facilitated locally by Wayne Bank 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.

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 bring this award to Wayne County. ATHENA Leadership Award® recipients are presented a hand-cast, bronze and crystal sculpture that symbolizes the strength, courage and wisdom of ATHENA recipients.

Local sponsorship is provided by Wayne Bank and Indiana University East. Event proceeds will equally benefit the Women’s Fund of Wayne County and Girls, Inc.

To RSVP, visit waynecoathena.com or contact JoAnn Spurlock, assistant vice president at Wayne Bank, at (765) 259-0209 or jspurlock@waynebnk.com or Paula Kay King, director of Gift Development at IU East, at (765) 973-8331 or pkayking@iue.edu.