HENDERSONVILLE - The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, along with the ATHENA Committee and sponsoring partners, is proud to announce the following nominees for the 16th Annual ATHENA Award presented in memory of Vanessa Y. Mintz:, Margina Baxter, Dorothy Case, Crystal Cauley, Vanessa Gilliam, Julie Huneycutt, Ashley Sandahl, Dr. Amy Siegler, Lyndsey Simpson, Sherrie Stokes and Cheryl Stuller. The ATHENA Award is presented by Pardee UNC Health Care, with support from Optimum and Teresa Edwards, McDonalds.

The nominees will be honored at a reception presented by Teresa Edwards – McDonalds, on Wednesday, March 29. The recipient of the 16th Annual ATHENA Award presented in memory of Vanessa Y. Mintz will be announced at the Business and Professional Women’s Luncheon on Thursday, May 18 at the Blue Ridge Community College Conference Hall. 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 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. This year’s luncheon will feature keynote speaker, Johnna Reed, Chief Administrative Officer, UNC Healthcare.

Kimmerly Hinkelman, Chair of the Athena Committee, stated - "Every year I am impressed by the new group of Athena nominees - women who are working to change the world and make an impact in our community. Once again amazing women from every corner of our county have been lifted up as examples of leadership and collaboration. I'm excited to celebrate them this year and  nvite all of you to join us on May 18 to do just that!" Hinkelman chairs a committee of 23 women and men who work to provide leadership support for women in Henderson County and WNC.

The ATHENA of Henderson County programming will continue throughout the year with a second Leadership Breakfast hosted in the fall of 2023, and quarterly women-centric networking events, Empower Hours, hosted throughout the year. The next Empower Hour will be held on April 25th, location to be announced shortly.

For more information on the ATHENA Award and related programs, or to make your reservations to the Business and Professional Women’s Luncheon, please call The Chamber at 828-692-1413.

About Henderson County Chamber of Commerce:
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is a 1000+ member business organization representing businesses in Hendersonville, Fletcher, Flat Rock, Laurel Park, Mills River and all of Henderson County. Through its board of directors and committees, the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce advocates for business through policy and new business recruitment by providing opportunities to network, learn, and succeed. For more information on joining or becoming involved with the Chamber visit our office at 204 Kanuga Road in Downtown Hendersonville, call 828-692-1413, or visit HendersonCountyChamber.org. 

Source: Henderson County Chamber of Commerce