ATHENA Lenawee Awards 

The ATHENA Award program celebrates the potential of all women as valued members ​and leaders of the community, and recognizes those who support them.

ATHENA Lenawee Leadership Award   

​The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishments…women and men who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and who also open paths so that others may follow.  

ATHENA recipients must meet each of three specific criteria:

• Assist women in reaching their full professional leadership potential.
• Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business category. ​
• ​Provide valuable service by devoting, or allowing their employees to devote time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.

Past Recipients

2022 Michele Buku
2020/21 Helen Henricks (deceased)
​2019 Londa Pickles
2018 Linda (Arnett) Benschoter
2017 Deborah Keller
​2016 Mary Murray
2015 Sister Peg Albert, OP, PhD
2014 Laura Schaedler
2013 Licia Willnow
2012 Suann Hammersmith
2011 Shelley Hickman
2010 Beverly F. Lyell
2009 Trudy McSorley
2008 Sister Durstyne Farnan, OP, & Dr. Nancy Kelly, DVM
2007 Joe Ann Steele (deceased)
2006 Margaret M.S. Noe
2005 Julie Koehn & Sheila Schwartz
2004 Barb Mitzel
2003 Maryann McRobert
2002 Sister Kathleen Schanz, OP
2001 Joy Smith
2000 Irene Garcia-Solis
1999 Ann Hinsdale-Knisel
1998 Janet McDowell
1997 Ruth Merillat
1996 Ann Hughes (deceased)
1995 Emily Martinez
1994 Susan Goldsen
1993 Sr. Cathleen Real
1992 Michalene Fenstemacher (deceased)
1991 Sister Anthonita Porta, OP (deceased)

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ATHENA Lenawee Young ​Professional Award   

For women 40 years old or younger.

• Demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession.
• Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in her community.
• Clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally. 

Past Recipients

2022 Nicole Underwood
​2020/21 Megan Porter-Stevenson
2019 Ashley (LaVigne) Concord
2018 Allison Ott
2017 Ashley (Gonzalez) Pfund

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ATHENA Lenawee Parthenon Award for Business 

The ATHENA Lenawee Parthenon Award celebrates businesses dedicated to raising the potential of all women as valued members of their business, profession and the community. The award honors those businesses that strive toward the highest levels of this achievement.
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ATHENA Parthenon Award recipients must meet each of three specific criteria:

• Assist women in reaching their full professional leadership potential.
• Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business category.
• ​Provide valuable service by devoting, or allowing their employees to devote time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.

Past Recipients

2022 Lenawee Intermediate School District
2020/21 Lenco Credit Union
​2019 County National Bank
2018 RE/MAX Main Street Realty
2017 Gleaner Life Insurance
2016 Kemner Iott Benz
2015 Gurdjian Insurance Group
2014 WLEN Radio
2013 Midwest Energy Cooperative
2012 Kapnick Insurance Group
2011 First Federal Bank
2010 Siena Heights University
2009 Hospice of Lenawee
2008 United Bank & Trust
2007 Adrian Dominican Sisters
2006 Clift Pontiac-Buick-GMC

Thank you to our 2022 Presenting Sponsors:

And Mike and Sara Buku