WE ARE A CATALYST
For developing diverse, transformative leaders who create a balance in leadership voices worldwide.
ATHENA 2025 Inductees
Front row, left to right: Patuk Glenn, Carolyn Heyman, Jennifer Schrage, Melanie Osborne, Meg Zaletel, Kay Brown, Jenifer Nelson
Back row, left to right: Kate Consenstein, Lisa Rieger, Dawn Dinwoodie, Lusiana (Lucy) Tuga Hansen, Janis Fleischman (Leadership Award Recipient), Jana Turvey, Dianne Blumer, Veronica Slajer
Photo courtesy of Lisa J. Seifert
Upcoming ATHENA Dates
Class of 2026 Nomination Period
| Nominations open | Friday | 1/2/26, 8 AM |
| Nominations close | Monday | 2/9/26, 5 PM |
Class of 2026 Selection and Announcement
| Class selected | Tuesday | 2/19/26 |
| 2026 Class announced | Thursday | 2/19/26 |
ATHENA Luncheon
| Mon, 3/16/26 |
The ATHENA Leadership Award, the Society’s highest award, recognizes an ATHENA inductee for exceptional service. This year’s honoree is Janis Fleischman, co-owner of Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop.
The Anchorage ATHENA Society is a program of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, celebrating professional excellence, commitment to community, and the encouragement of leadership potential of women.
ATHENA MEMBER DIRECTORY
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Eleanor Andrews
Founder of the Anchorage ATHENA Society
The ATHENA Society now has 371 members, representing a diverse group of professionals. The first award was given to Dr. Joyce Murphy in 1988 and then in 1995 it was presented to Eleanor Andrews. That year Eleanor traveled to the National ATHENA Conference which inspired her to found Anchorage ATHENA.
The ATHENA Story
The inspiration for the ATHENA organization originated in Lansing, Michigan in 1980 when Martha Mayhood Mertz, a local real estate entrepreneur and president of an investment organization, was asked to serve on the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
At that time, not only was she the only woman serving on the board but in the 75 year history of presenting community awards, the Lansing Chamber had honored only one woman. Mertz decided to change that.
MISSION
We are a catalyst for developing diverse, transformative leaders worldwide through leadership programs that ignite, inspire and celebrate girls, women and allies.
VISION
We believe cultivating and elevating women leaders is essential to realizing a balance in leadership voices worldwide.
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