Nominations are now open to all women in the Barrington region for the 2015 ATHENA Leadership Award, to be presented by the Women’s Biz Net Council (WBN) of the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC). The 2015 ATHENA will be presented at the WBN ATHENA luncheon on Thursday, May 28 at the Biltmore Country Club in North Barrington. 
All women in the Barrington region who meet the award criteria are eligible. Nominees must demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession; provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community; and actively assist or mentor women in achieving their leadership potential. ATHENA nominees may represent for-profit or non-profit organizations. A selection committee made up of a diverse group of community leaders and members of the WBN will review all nominations to make their selection.
The WBN’s first ATHENA Leadership Award was presented to Joyce Palmquist, Executive Director of the Barrington Area Council on Aging (BACOA) in November 2012. Palmquist was recognized as a passionate advocate for senior residents, a knowledgeable trainer for care givers, a trusted partner with many civic organizations and businesses and a creative fundraiser who has initiated some fun and profitable Barrington events. Under her leadership, BACOA has positively impacted many, many individuals in the Barrington area each year. The 2014 award was presented to Ellaine Sambo-Reyther, VP – Director, Trust & Estate Services at BMO Harris Bank, at the ATHENA Luncheon last May. She was recognized for her work with several local civic organizations to develop strategies and resources to help women succeed. She is a member of the Women’s Advisory Alliance and a team leader and panelist for the “Women & Wealth – Teaching My Family to Give” conference, serves on the board of WINGS (Women In Need Growing Stronger) which helps women and children escape abusive situations, and on the board of the Wellness Place.
The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2015. Nomination forms are available in person at the Chamber office, 190 E. James St., Barrington or by email, events@barringtonchamber.com.
The ATHENA Leadership Award recognizes and celebrates women’s exemplary leadership, reflecting Plato’s quote, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there.” The ATHENA Leadership Award was inspired by and named for the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment. The Award honors for professional excellence, community service and active assistance to women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. The program inspires women to reach their full potential and strives to create balance in leadership worldwide. More than 6,000 recipients in 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA award since the program’s inception in 1982. Past recipients include former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Kay Koplovitz, founder of USA Networks and the first woman network president in television history; Pat Schroeder, former 12-term U.S. Congresswoman; Micki King, Olympic gold medalist; and women’s tennis great Bille Jean King.
About the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1969, the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce is an association of 800+ member businesses representing more than 18,000 business people dedicated to the prosperity of the 11 communities it serves: Barrington, Barrington Hills, Deer Park, Inverness, Kildeer, Lake Barrington, Long Grove, North Barrington, Port Barrington, South Barrington and Tower Lakes. The BACC promotes economic opportunities, advocates for business interests, offers professional development programs, and works to foster a robust regional economy. For more, visit BarringtonChamber.com.
