2026 Athena Awards

2026 Athena Awards

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Girls Incorporated will again be presenting the prestigious ATHENA Award to an individual in our community.

This award is presented to someone who has attained and personified the highest level of professional excellence in their business or profession; has devoted time and energy to the community in a meaningful way; and most especially, has generously assisted women in attaining their full potential. Each ATHENA recipient is invited to join other recipients throughout the United States and beyond to create new leadership programs and
bring ideas back home.

The ATHENA recipient will be selected from nominations and supporting documentation. We need your help in identifying personal recipients. Within your organization there are undoubtedly some individuals who are outstanding professional and community leaders who have had a positive impact on women. Or you may know of someone through your personal or professional contacts. We urge you to use this nomination form to let us know who they are.

Through this program, we hope to build awareness of and honor the valuable contributions being made by men and women in our community. Past recipients include: Beth Steele, Suzanne Craig, Lamone Mayfield, Jean Wells, Brenda Clayton. Debbie Nunley, Helen Sears, Jane Noble, Martha Clark, Marianne Smith Edge, Jacqueline Addington, Vicki Stogsdill, Ursuline Sisters, Virginia Braswell, Patti Rayburn, Cherri Lolley, Helen Mountjoy, Margaret Britton, Deborah Fillman, Aloma Dew, Kathryn Raymer, Cindy Fiorella, Susan Montalvo-Gesser, Alma Randolph, Sara Hemingway, Karla Ward and Marcia Carpenter.

The 2026 ATHENA Award finalists are:

  • Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta, President and CEO, RiverValley Behavioral Health
  • Jan Goldman, Executive Director, Kentucky Community Learning Network
  • Jessica McDonald, Operations Group Manager, (Vice President), Mortgage Financial Operations
  • Rebecca McQueen-Ruark, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs, Ivy Tech Community College, Evansville
  • Tracy Naylor, Executive Director, Owensboro Health Foundation
  • Jessie Schartung, Program Director, St. Benedict’s Women and Family Shelter
  • Jackie Smith, Owner, Operator and Designer, Jackie Blue Handmade
  • Samantha Taylor-Kaai, Chief Operating Officer, Audubon Area Community Services

Register to attend HERE.

Sponsors for the 2026 ATHENA Awards Include:

PRESENTING
German American Bank
Owensboro Health

HOSPITALITY SPONSOR
US Bank

BOLD
Bettie Kincade
Big Rivers Electric Corporation
Kenergy
Champion Ford Lincoln Mazda
CherriCare
Moore Automotive Team
Edward Jones, Burton Wealth Management
Hartz Contracting
Jean Wells
Koger Properties
Old National Bank
Packages Plus
Paul Haire
South Central Bank
Sue Napper
Jeremy Tincher, CFP®
Tony Clark Realtors

SMART
EM Ford Insurance
Custom Audio Video
Hobgood Edge Group, Baird Wealth Management
Leslie McCarty Campaign for County Clerk

CHAMPION
American Patriot Getaways
S&V Fabrication
Boardwalk Pipelines

INSPIRED
Atmos Energy
Behavior Associates, LLC
Brenda Clayton
City of Owensboro
Daviess County Fiscal Court
Independence Bank
Owensboro Municipal Utilities
River Valley Behavioral Health
Truist Bank

LEGACY
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline