2025 Indiana County Athena Awards
Renda Media has been a proud partner with the Colonial Motor Mart as the Co-Sponsors of the annual Indiana County Athena Award. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in their professional field, provide valuable service to the greater Indiana County Community, and actively mentor and support women in leadership development.
Thank you to our 2025 Indiana County Athena Award sponsors
The nine finalists were revealed on September 24th and will be honored at the annual luncheon at the Indiana County Club on October 15th when the 2025 winner will be announced.
We salute our 2025 Athena Finalists, including Jessica Cunningham (InFirst Bank), Felicia Daniel (S&T Bank), Barbara Hauge (UpStreet Architects), Laurie Kuzneski (Kuzneski Insurance Group), Meriann Lee (Purchase Line School District), Kathy Mihoerck (Grace Church), Amy Rebyanski (Indiana Area School District), Joyce Sharman (Fundraiser for multiple non-profits), and Nicole Wannett (Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug & Alcohol Prevention Center).
The 9 finalists will be featured on Indiana in the Morning and highlighted here in our special Athena section.
Community celebration of leadership and service – the Emerging Women Leaders Luncheon will be October 15th, from 11 to 1 at the Indiana Country Club. The luncheon will include the presentation of the 2025 ATHENA Awards and the 3rd annual Spadafora Family $5,000 scholarship for a high school senior who is a member of ATHENA Club. Tickets are $50 per person with proceeds supporting the ATHENA program. Register at www.indianacountychamber.us by October 10th.
Past Recipients
ATHENA Global Leadership Award
2018 — Christine Jack Toretti
Spadafora Family ATHENA Scholarship
2024 – Ashlynn Denise Brendlinger (United School District ATHENA Club)
2023 — Rebekah Jalyn Gutierrez (Marion Center ATHENA Club)
Past
ATHENA
Recipients
2024 — Jennifer Brader Rairigh
2023 – Dr. Sue Rieg
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 Award Recipients of Indiana County
2024 — Nicole Rice
2023 —Trista Lynn Long
2022 — No award presented
2021 — Ashley Treese
2020 — No event held due to the pandemic
2019 — Madison Sabo
2018 — Sarah Hillegas
2017 — Haley Pazder
