OUR MISSION & VISION
Ignite, Amplify, and Celebrate Women Leaders
AT ATHENA INTERNATIONAL, WE ARE A CATALYST FOR DEVELOPING DIVERSE, TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERS WORLDWIDE THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMS THAT IGNITE, AMPLIFY AND CELEBRATE GIRLS, WOMEN AND ALLIES — FROM YOUNG SCHOLARS TO SEASONED PROFESSIONALS.
The ATHENA Leadership Institute™ offers inspiring, empathy-based programs that meet individuals where they are along their leadership journey and usher them into a new paradigm of self-discovery. Individuals, corporations, and organizations gain the tools and knowledge needed to sustain and grow a global community of transformative leaders.
Ignite
Amplify
We leverage our vast network to amplify emerging leaders with the support and resources they need to thrive and reach new levels of success. We support women entrepreneurs through our Community Program and ATHENAPowerLink®, a national mentoring program that connects selected women business owners with an advisory board tailored to fit their needs.
Celebrate
We recognize outstanding women, pioneering leaders, and organizations with global, national and community ATHENA Leadership Awards. With 8,200+ recipients from world-renowned icons to community champions, our prestigious awards celebrate those who embody the Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ and open doors of opportunity to women and girls around the world.
THE EIGHT PRINCIPLES OF ENLIGHTENED LEADERSHIP™
Live Authentically & Learn Constantly
Build Relationships & Foster Collaboration
Act Courageously & Advocate Fiercely
Give Back & Celebrate
OUR STORY
More than 40 years ago, our founder, Martha Mertz, was told that women are not leaders. She obviously felt otherwise and believed that if women were recognized for their leadership achievements, they could no longer be dismissed. In this vision, ATHENA International has honored 8,200+ trailblazers and change makers, who are opening doors of leadership opportunities for women and girls around the world.
While celebrating these women, it was noticed that they embodied many shared traits. With funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, ATHENA International began research into the nature of these characteristics. We found distinct ways in which women lead; a different type of leadership, one that is diverse, inclusive, and collaborative. Different from the all-too-common “command and control” style. In addition, extensive - external research also demonstrates that having a diverse range of voices in leadership positions have positive results on overall organizational success.
From these findings, the ATHENA LEADERSHIP MODEL was born!
Since ATHENA International began honoring these change-makers, we have grown into a catalyst for developing and training them as well. ATHENA’s experiential programs, empower everyone to discover and ignite the authentic leader within by amplifying, and celebrating girls, women, and allies. ATHENA leaders know that for women to rise, all of us must come together to shatter the glass ceiling.
Photos by Jess Kamens Photography, Melonhead Photography