Alsofrom Breaks Ground as the First ATHENA Award Three-Peat Winner
Serena Williams, Katherine Hepburn, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and … Sarah Alsofrom?
Why not? Like those more familiar names, the native Floridian and senior director of community relations for GL Homes in West Palm Beach is also a groundbreaking multiple-award winner and inspiration for others. Alsofrom recently became the first person to be the recipient of three separate awards from ATHENA International for being a community leader and advocate for other women.
Alsofrom was honored with the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award in 2010, the ATHENA Leadership Award in 2019 and, most recently with the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award in 2022. All three awards were presented through the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches in Florida.
“This honor is a career highlight and extremely humbling. I’m very aware that I stand on the shoulders of other men and women who have supported me personally and professionally. I hope to inspire other women to achieve this milestone,” Alsofrom said. “Over 8,000 accomplished people from all over the globe have been recognized and celebrated for their professional excellence, determination, risk-taking, community service, fierce advocacy, and — most importantly — their support and mentorship of women. I am grateful and fortunate to be part of this prestigious group.”
ATHENA award programs are part of the foundation of ATHENA International to celebrate outstanding and exceptional individuals who live the Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership and the ATHENA Leadership Model. Awards are presented by chambers of commerce, women’s organizations and educational institutions to a woman or individual who demonstrates the qualities embodied in the ATHENA Leadership Model and has achieved the highest level of professional excellence, contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community, and actively assists others — particularly women — in realizing their full leadership potential.
“ATHENA International and our local ATHENA community looks closely at who embodies the eight ATHENA tenets,” Alsofrom said. “While I’ve been fortunate to receive these awards, I can’t take all the credit. GL Homes is a fierce advocate for women in the male-dominated homebuilding industry that employs many women in our C-Suite ranks and at every level of our organization. Our company’s culture of generosity is at the heart of all we do to demonstrate goodwill and try to make life better for others. We’re a collaborative company that is not shy about taking risks and focusing on the necessity for initiating change.”
“I wouldn’t be successful without GL Homes’ support,” she added. “Our company believes in a philosophy of you get what you give.”
Since 2015, Alsofrom has managed the philanthropic arm for GL Homes, Florida’s largest private homebuilder that donates to more than 150 charities in the state and beyond. The company’s philanthropic mission is to make a difference in the communities where GL Homes employees live and work, helping to break the cycle of homelessness, combat hunger, and support children and education.
The company commitment to giving back is so embedded in its culture that it has a separate philanthropy website apart from its main website.
“A very rewarding part of my job allows me to create meaningful and impact-driven volunteer experiences for our employees and their children,” Alsofrom said. “Whenever possible, our employees will bring their children and teens to a volunteer project to teach them the spirit of giving and the value of volunteerism.”
As for being the first-ever ATHENA International three-peat award winner, Alsofrom said there’s nothing else like it.
“ATHENA International embodies the authentic self; it’s a unique honor that has no duplicate,” she said. “ATHENA is a global movement that represents inclusivity. We accept and appreciate other people for their talents and differences. I take tremendous pride in this achievement, but I don’t rest on my laurels. ATHENA is all about learning, building relationships, giving back and embracing opportunities.”
She also credited the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches for its foresight to bring the international award to the community more than 31 years ago.
“The chamber inspired me to submit a Young Professional application back in 2010,” Alsofrom said. “ATHENA International offers support to professional women on an international scale. Of course, that’s very appealing to want to be part of this elite, professional group of women supporting other women.”
And the work of ATHENA to bring a balance to leadership is more important today than ever before, Alsofrom noted.
“Now more than ever, all women need one another to thrive and succeed in our complex world,” she said. “ATHENA International embraces our uniqueness, celebrates our success, challenges us to take risks and become fierce advocates for ourselves and others who are making their way up the career ladder. ATHENA’s DNA is to make a positive impact for women and girls throughout the world. Who wouldn’t want to jump on that train?”