ATHENA Awards: Celebrate & Inspire

Description

Join us for the first-ever ATHENA Awards: Celebrate & Inspire in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Hosted by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, this new event is the result of a women-led initiative to recognize and celebrate the women who strengthen our region. The event will spotlight outstanding individuals and women-focused organizations whose leadership, service and positive impact make a meaningful difference in our community.

This event marks the beginning of a new Chamber tradition—one that will bring people together to hear inspiring stories, build connections, and celebrate the women who help our community grow stronger.

The ATHENA Awards celebrate leadership in two powerful ways: by honoring an individual whose leadership inspires others, and by recognizing an organization creating meaningful opportunities for women/girls across the Brainerd Lakes Area. Apply or nominate an individual or organization whose leadership and impact deserve to be celebrated.

The ATHENA Leadership Award
Recognizes an individual that demonstrates the The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™, Professional Excellence, Service to Women and/or Girls, and Community Leadership.

The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award
Recognizes an organization, business, non-profit, group, club, or initiative that demonstrates the The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™, Culture of Empowerment, and Impact on Women and/or Girls.

Scroll down to read more details about the ATHENA Awards and their criteria.

ATHENA Leadership Award

The ATHENA Leadership Award celebrates an individual who lifts women and/or girls higher through professional excellence, community service, and active support of women’s leadership. This honor recognizes an individual who expands opportunities, ignites courage and confidence, and helps others grow by modeling strength, integrity, and compassion.

Honorees demonstrate outstanding leadership in their career or profession, give back generously to the community, and serve as a role model for women and girls throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area. What matters most is the impact: the courage to lead, the heart to serve, and the commitment to helping women reach their full potential.

Individuals should demonstrate:

• The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™
  Live Authentically, Learn Constantly, Build Relationships, Foster Collaboration, Act Courageously, Advocate Fiercely, Give Back, and Celebrate.
  
  
• Professional Excellence
  Demonstrating strength, creativity, achievement, and integrity in their career or profession.
  
  
• Service to Women and/or Girls
  Using their time, talent, and influence to uplift women and/or girls through mentorship, leadership development, education, advocacy, or other meaningful efforts.
  
  
• Community Leadership
  Improving quality of life in the Brainerd Lakes Area and serving as a role model who inspires others to lead with courage and purpose.

ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award

The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award celebrates an organization, group or program that lifts women and girls higher. This honor recognizes those who expand opportunities, ignite courage and confidence, and create a true sense of belonging for women and girls.

Eligible recipients may be large or small — a Brainerd Lakes Area business, nonprofit organization, program, club, or even a grassroots volunteer effort. What matters is the impact: the courage to support women and girls, the heart to help them thrive, and the commitment to building a future where every woman can reach her full potential.

Organizations should demonstrate:

• The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™
  Live Authentically, Learn Constantly, Build Relationships, Foster Collaboration, Act Courageously, Advocate Fiercely, Give Back, and Celebrate.
  
  
• A Culture of Empowerment
  Creating space for women to learn, lead and succeed.
  
  
• Impact That Lifts Women and/or Girls Higher
  Leadership development, mentoring, education, safety and wellbeing efforts, or other meaningful initiatives that help women and girls rise and grow.

Save the Date and register to attend for the ATHENA Awards: Celebrate & Inspire awards luncheon.

May 4, 2026 | 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Madden's Resort - Town Hall

We are honored to welcome Traci Costa, President of ATHENA International, invited to present a welcome address. Traci will share insights on women’s leadership and the ATHENA Principles that guide this global movement.

ATHENA Leadership Award Sponsor → $5,000 (1 Available)

• Presentation of the ATHENA Leadership Award
• Premium reserved table located in the front of the room
• Logo prominently featured on all event branding, marketing, and signage
• Recognition at the ATHENA Awards luncheon
• Recognition at the ATHENA Awards Business After Hours

ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award Sponsor → $3,000 (1 Available)

• Presenting the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award
• Premium reserved table located in the front of the room
• Logo included in event marketing
• Recognition at the ATHENA Awards luncheon
• Recognition at the ATHENA Awards Business After Hours

Keynote Speaker Sponsor → (SOLD)

• Premium reserved table located in the first two rows
• Logo included in event marketing
• Recognition at the ATHENA Awards luncheon
• Opportunity to interview the Keynote speaker during the program

Our prestigious community, national, and global ATHENA Leadership Awards recognize outstanding women and allies, pioneering leaders, and organizations. With 8,200+ recipients, spanning 500+ regions, representing 48 states, and 11 countries, from world-renowned icons to community champions, ATHENA International celebrates those who embody The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ and open doors of leadership opportunity for women and girls around the world.