Staff report

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Professional women from the Mahoning Valley are being honored Thursday as part of the 20th anniversary of the Athena Award.

One of 25 finalists will be named the recipient of the Athena Award, which is designed to recognize area business and professional women who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen career, provided leadership in the community and mentored or contributed to the growth of other professional women.

The event starts at 5:45 p.m. with a cocktail reception at Mr. Anthony’s, 7440 South Ave., Boardman. The dinner and program begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Athena Awards event is one of the five- largest of its type in the U.S. and is sponsored by the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator.

The keynote speaker is Annika Sorenstam, who is considered the greatest female golfer of her generation.

During her 15-year Hall of Fame career, Sorenstam rewrote the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record books, won countless awards and changed the way women’s golf was played, viewed and covered.

She amassed 89 worldwide professional victories, including 72 LPGA wins, 10 of which were major championships.

The recipient of the $1,500 Athena Scholarship also will be announced at the dinner.

The scholarship was created in 2007 in a partnership with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley and the chamber.

It helps to further the goals of the Athena mission and promotes education. The recipient of the Athena Scholarship has demonstrated initiative and excellence in her educational or work pursuits, a proved record of community involvement and service and commitment to and experience with mentoring others.

The 25 women who have been nominated for the 2012 Athena Award are as follows. They are listed by position, company and hometown.

Karen Abrams, senior vice president, Trust Advisor at PNC Bank, Youngstown.

Suzanne Barbati, president and executive director, OH WOW! Roger and Gloria Jones Center for Science & Technology, Youngstown.

Julie Costas, director of marketing, VTI American Express Travel, Canfield

Mary DeGenaro, judge, 7th District Court of Appeals, Poland.

Charlotte Diss, senior director, American Heart Association, Boardman.

Patricia Dougan, president, 7th Ward Citizens Coalition, Inc. Community Legal Aid Services, Poland.

Maureen Drummond,SFlbexecutive director, Hands-On Volunteer Network of the Valley, Canfield.

Joann Esenwein, director, Center for Transportation Materials Engineering, Youngstown State University, Lowellville.

Amanda R. Frost, vice president, Business Relationship Specialist, First Place Bank, Columbiana.

Elizabeth Goerig, principal, Maplewood Local School District, Leetonia.

Catherine Hubbs, contractor/former owner, Vacuform, Inc., Berlin Center.

Michele Lambert, manufacturing integration manager, General Motors, Howland.

Natalie Lariccia, CRPC financial adviser, The Jones Group/Merrill Lynch, Canfield.

Sharon M. Letson, executive director, Youngstown CityScape, Warren.

Ingrid A. Lundquist, counselor/education specialist, Penn State University Talent Search Program, New Castle Area Schools, Poland.

Gina Marinelli, development officer, HMHP Foundation, Boardman.

Suzanne M. Myers, commercial health-care team leader – senior vice president, Huntington National Bank, Howland.

Madeline Pagan, director of teleservices – media, InfoCision Management Corporation, Poland.

Debbie Parisi, president, Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS, Canfield.

Lorie Rhine, chief nursing officer, Northside Medical Center, How-land.

Carol Rimedio-Righetti, commissioner, Mahoning County, Youngstown.

Dr. Marybeth Shaffer, Shaffer Dentistry, Leetonia.

Stephanie L. Shaw, executive director, Eastern Ohio P-16 Partnership in Education, Howland.

Shelley Taylor Odille, vice president and principal, Paige & Byrnes Insurance, Howland.

Lana VanAuker, activity therapist, Trumbull Memorial Hospital, Canfield.

The cost of tickets for the Athena Award dinner are $50 per person.

For more information about the event, contact the chamber at 330-744-2131, ext. 12.