Nominations are Open for 2026 ATHENA Award of Henderson County

2026 Nomination Form

The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2026 ATHENA Award of Henderson County, presented by UNC Health Pardee. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, January 16^th, 2026.

Nominations are judged and a recipient selected by a panel of professionals out of the Henderson County area, based on the criteria set forth by ATHENA International. Nominators should plan to tell their nominee’s story through rich narrative and details, as judges will have no knowledge of even well-known community members. The nomination forms can be found on the Chamber website at www.hendersoncountychamber.org.

A Legacy of Leadership

The ATHENA award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment and is presented to a women – or a man- who is honored for professional excellence, community service, and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. Established in 1982 by Martha Mertz, a business owner in Lansing, Michigan, Mrs. Mertz was then the only woman serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board. Mrs. Mertz was convinced that if women’s’ contributions and leadership were recognized and encouraged, they could no longer be overlooked, and women would become leaders in their communities. What Mertz conceived over 40 years ago is now a global movement. Since the program’s inception more than 7,000 awards have been presented in 500 communities and 8 countries.

The ATHENA award was originally sponsored and brought to Henderson County by Vanessa Mintz. Vanessa was a long-time local business woman, active Chamber volunteer and community advocate. After Vanessa’s untimely death in 2011, the award was and will continue to be presented in her memory. The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishments, who excel in their chosen field, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and forge paths of leadership for other women to follow. The award is co-sponsored by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.

"My mother believed that recognizing those who uplift women wasn't just an act of gratitude—it was a call to action. She was passionate about this award because it shines a light on those quietly making a difference, and it's up to us to keep that light burning. The Athena award is a reminder that honoring others is one of the most powerful ways to inspire change," said EMPOWER Her Committee Chair Andrea Little Gray.

Honoring Henderson County's Leaders

The nominees will be honored at a reception in early Spring. Then the recipient of the 19^th Annual ATHENA Award presented in memory of Vanessa Y. Mintz will be announced at the Business and Professional Women’s Luncheon on Tuesday, April 28^th at Blue Ridge Community College, sponsored by Hunter Automotive and Stuller Power Solutions.

Past Recipients Include:

2025 - Rebecca McCall, Henderson County
2024 – Anna Conner, Relocate828
2023 – Julie Huneycutt, Hope Coalition
2022 – Adriana Chavela, Hola Carolina
2021 – Kathy Streeter Morgan, Henderson County Emergency Management
2020 – Barbara Volk, City of Hendersonville
2019 – Barb Morgan, Project Dignity of WNC
2018 – Lee Henderson Hill, Community Foundation of Henderson County
2017 – Roxanna Pepper, Children & Family Resource Center
2016 – Judy Stroud, State Farm Insurance
2015 – Judith Long, Free Clinics
2014 – Caroline Long, St. Gerard House
2013 – Annie Fritschner, First United Methodist Church
2012 – Myra Grant, Pardee Hospital Foundation
2011 – Joyce Mason, Four Seasons Compassion for Life
2010 – Pat Shepherd, Pat's School of Dance
2009 – Ragan Ward, Carolina Alliance Bank
2008 – Robin Reed, Bares It All

More Than an Award

ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients are presented a hand-cast, bronzed and crystal sculpture that symbolizes the strength, courage, and wisdom of ATHENA Recipients. ATHENA International is nationally underwritten by KPMG.

The Business and Professional Women’s Luncheon is hosted as part of the Henderson County Chamber’s Small Business Week celebration to honor the work that women are doing in area businesses and the community.

Women-forward programming will continue throughout the year with the next Empower Hour which will be held on Wednesday, November 12^th, at Bellwether’s Landing in Hendersonville.

For more information on the ATHENA Award and related programs, please call The Chamber at 828-692-1413.