ATHENA Valley of the Sun (AVOS), the official Arizona affiliate of ATHENA International, will be hosting the 4th annual ATHENA Awards on Tuesday, July 28, to shine a light on exemplary women leaders. The special event will include the presentation of the Global ATHENA Leadership Award and will honor six local women, and young women from area high schools, for their work in the community.
The luncheon, being held from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm at the Clayton House in Scottsdale, will feature 2020 Global Award recipient Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient.
An internationally-renowned thought leader for advancing equality in the workplace, Zalis is the first female chief executive ranked in the research industry’s top 25. Her work has changed the game for women by elevating feminine values in the workplace.
The Global Leadership Award is presented by the ATHENA International Board to an individual who has achieved the highest level of professional excellence, assisted women in reaching their potential, and whose body of work has had an international impact.
This is the second time that AVOS has been chosen by ATHENA International to present the prestigious Global award. The nonprofit presented the award to Melani Walton, co-founder of the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation, in 2019.
Past Global ATHENA Award recipients include iconic female leaders such as Dolores Huerta, Marlo Thomas, Condoleezza Rice and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
Six HAIL (Honoring ATHENA Inspired Leaders) Awards will be presented to recipients chosen for their exemplification of the one of the principles in the ATHENA Leadership Model®. Honorees for 2020 are Karianne Munstedt for Live Authentically; Sandra Mendez for Learn Constantly; Andrea Tyler Evans for Advocate Fiercely; Kristen Merrifield for Build Relationships; Dr. Lori Wieters for Foster Collaboration; and Katee Van Horn for Act Courageously.
In addition, six young women chosen from East Valley high schools will be honored for the work they do in their communities and will be mentored by the HAIL award honorees. The 2020 Young ATHENAs are Anna-Grace Sellers, Alondra Macias, Tania Ramos, Chloe Kwa, Deeann Schettrer and Emma Cain.
AVOS, an official affiliate to ATHENA International, was launched in 2015 by Kristine Quade, Ed.D., to create new awareness for the guiding ATHENA Leadership principles and to give women of all generations in Arizona an authentic platform to explore and enhance their leadership potential through its mission to “Support, Develop and Honor” women leaders. Luncheon proceeds will help provide leadership programs and other support to area women and young women in East Valley high schools.
According to Dr. Quade, Executive Director for AVOS, “This special tribute to women leaders has to be rescheduled from March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are thrilled to finally be able to tell the stories of these extraordinary women leaders. They deserve to be celebrated.”
The 2020 ATHENA Awards are being held Tuesday, July 28, from 11 am to 1:30 pm, at the Clayton House located 3719 N. 75th St. in Scottsdale. Tickets are $125 and are available at www.athenaaz.com. Space is limited
ATHENA Valley of the Sun (AVOS) provides local women an authentic platform to have deep, meaningful conversations to help them identify, embrace, and realize their aspirations. The nonprofit hosts monthly educational luncheons, leadership development and mentor programs to area women and girls in grades 11-12 through their mission to “Leave No Women Leader Behind.
