The finalists for this year’s ATHENA Leadership and Young Professional Awards were announced Thursday morning.
The list of finalists can be viewed below. They are listed in no particular order:
ATHENA Leadership Award nominees:
- Anna Frank, the Financial Education Program Coordinator at First Commonwealth Bank. She led local bankers from all of the Indiana-based financial institutions to provide a community financial education class, used by clients from local non-profit agencies. She mentors women through First Commonwealth Bank’s mentorship program and does informal mentoring with young women interested in public speaking. She has been active in the Indiana County NAACP, is president of Family Promise board of directors, and is a member of the Redeveloping Authority of Indiana County. She was nominated by First Commonwealth Bank.
- Linda Gwinn, of Blairsville, who was part owner of a successful business, a landlord renovating and restoring more than 20 rental units in Blairsville, who served as president of the Blairsville Improvement Group, director of the Blairsville Community Development Authority, and the Indiana County Comprehensive Plan Review Board. She is active with the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy and helped the group to secure grant funding for boat launches in Blairsville. Her work with BIG resulted in the completion of the Blairsville Riverfront Trail. She was nominated by the Friends of Blairsville Communities.
- Monica Jones, a Farmers Insurance owner. She has won a number of awards for excellence in her profession. She mentors youth through Justice Works and has volunteered to teach college athletes the importance of insurance and provide insight into generational wealth. An active member of Indiana Midday Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow, she organized and led the “Interact Club” at Homer Center High School. She is active with the local suicide prevention organization, the Flags for Heroes group, Wreathes for Veterans, the National SIDS Alliance of Pittsburgh, the Alice Paul House, and Home for a Cause. She was nominated by Indiana Mid-Day Rotary.
- Dr. Sue Rieg, IUP professor emerita, who served in the field of education for 41 years. She has been an elementary school teacher, instructional support teacher, and elementary principal in the local school district. She retired from IUP after serving as the interim dean of the College of Education and Communications, after serving as a faculty member and chair of the Professional Studies in Education Department. She serves on the Indiana Area School Board, and on boards with ARIN International Unit. She was nominated by Dr. Kelli Paquette.
- Nell Webb, who has been in the childcare industry for more than 51 years and has been a surrogate parent for hundreds of children. Her professional career has been primarily at the Indiana County Day Care program, but she was also the chief owner and operation of R&W Circle Industries, which employed and empowered individuals who were minority, female, or formerly incarcerated. She was the first African-American hired by the Indiana County Daycare program and she has been honored by AAUW, and for her involvement in the Project GetSTEAM (Girls Exploring Today’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). She has been an active leader in the Indiana County NAACP and the Chevy Chase Community Center. She was nominated by the Indiana County NAACP.
Past ATHENA recipients:
2022 — Sheila Hoover
2021 — Connie Bence
2020 — No event held due to the pandemic
2019 — Jennifer Myers
2018 — Dr. Carolyn Princes
2017 — Dr. Laura Helmrich-Rhodes
2016 — Dr. Holly Rougeaux
2015 — Kelly Pidgeon
2014 — Kelly Polando Berfield, MG Rodney Ruddock USA, Ret.
2013 — Judge Carol Hanna
2012— Michelle Fryling
2011 — Kay Smith
2010 — Gladys Knox
2009 — Laurel Diznoff
2008 — Elizabeth Gregg
2007 — Dr. Edwina Vold
2006 — Denise Clawson*
2005 — Carol Fry
2004 — Kathy King
2003 — Megan Altemus
2002 — Charles Spadafora*
2001 — Dr. Stella Boron
2000 — JoAnne Peterson*
1999 — Janet Daugherty
1998 — Valeri Lazor
1997 — Betty Wood*
1996 — Claire Hogan
1995 — Tris Nelson
1994 — Lenore Patton*
1993 — Dr. M. Dorcas Clark*
1992 — Naketa Dobbins
1991 — Dr. Hilda Richards
1990 — Dr. Ruth Riesenman
1989 — Ann Pentz
1988 — Janet Moreau
1987 — Ellen Ruddock
*denotes deceased
ATHENA Young Professional nominees:
- Sarah Kitchen, HR director with SAI MedPartners LLC. Sarah is vice president of the Business and Professional Women’s Federal of PA, an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society, volunteer with the Indiana Women’s Flag Football, president of the Junior Women’s Civic Club, nominated by Indiana BPW.
- Liz LaBryer, coordinator of the Credit Services department at First Commonwealth Bank. She is an active member of Quota of Indiana, Pa., and the YMCA, working on the Financial Development Committee. With her family, she organized a fundraiser in honor of her late brother, who was killed by a drunk driver, which raises funds for scholarships for Homer City High School students. She was nominated by Quota of Indiana, Pa.
- Trista Long, proprietor of Green Fire CrossFit and certified coach with a focus on trauma-informed and athlete-centered coaching approaches. She has a bi-weekly podcast focusing on mental health and wellness issues with 900 followers all over the world. She is a Certified Peer Specialist, helping people who are recovering from addiction. Through her non-profit organization, Gym Therapy Inc., she has organized many events to serve many organizations in the community. She was nominated by Members of Green Fire CrossFit.
- Samantha Muir, Director of Campaign Planning and Outreach at IUP, where she is active with IUP programs promoting diversity and inclusion. She served as president of the IUP University Museum Board of Directors; was a member of the Executive Board of Downtown Indiana Inc.; and is a board member of the Indiana County United Way. She was nominated by Dr. Lynn Botelho.
- Larissa Murphy, vice president of advertising and content manager in the Marketing and Communications Department at First Commonwealth Bank. She is a mentor in the bank’s mentorship program and recently created and co-led a new group focused on parents and caregivers. She is on the board of directors for Life Choices, and an active member of Saving Grace Church and recently raised funds for the Evergreen After School Club. She is a published author and has presented nationally, including appearing on In Belief, a program on the Oprah Winfrey network.
- Gabrielle Myers, owner of Bella Spa and Beauty, a growing business which employs 14 staff members and is in its second location. She is active with the Toys for Tots program, the Suicide Task Force Walk for a Wonderful Life, Greek Glow, and she supports the Indiana High School Life Skills class. She was nominated by Lori Miller.
