Worthy women

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The 21st Annual Athena Awards are set for Thursday at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman, with 29 nominees this year.

The event, presented by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator, is one of the top five Athena ceremonies in the country. The award recognizes 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 keynote speaker will be Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels.

Last year, Karen Abrams, senior vice president and trust adviser for PNC Bank was selected from a field of 25 nominees for the award.

this year’s nominees

Rachel A. Barber, of Cortland, account receivable manager/corporate secretary, VEC, Inc.

Sandi Bates, of Poland, president, Youngstown-Columbiana Association of Realtors.

Cara A. Berg-Carramusa, of Poland, director of therapy services/physical therapist, Park Vista of Youngstown.

Kelly Bianco, of Brookfield, principal, HbK Valuation Group, LLC.

Sarah Brown-Clark, of Youngstown, Youngstown Municipal Clerk of Courts, City of Youngstown.

Rosemary Bulmer, of Hubbard, assistant clinical nurse manager, cardiovascular thoracic, Northside Medical Center.

Rosetta Carter, of Youngstown, executive director and lead organizer, ACTION, Inc.

Linda Case, of Columbiana, PPS coordinator/clinical supervisor, Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital.

Lisa Colia, of New Castle, Pa., regional controller, De-Cal, Inc.

Barbara L. Ewing, of Salem, chief operating officer, Youngstown Business Incubator.

Dale Foerster, of Howland, vice president, Starr Manufacturing, Inc.

Kimberly Foster, of Warren, senior vice president-regional retail manager, First Place Bank.

Dawn Friedkin, of Youngstown, chief operating officer, Classic Optical Laboratories, Inc.

Janelle Fumerola, of Burghill, managing principal/lead adviser, JFS Wealth Advisors.

Winifred Hosking, of Roaming Shores, administrator/owner, Leeda Northeast, Inc.

Angela Kerns, of Niles, chief nursing officer, The Surgical Hospital of Southwoods.

Kelly Kiraly, of Poland, office manager, Bury Financial Group.

Nancy Landgraff, Ph.D., PT, of Boardman, professor and chair, Department of Physical Therapy, Youngstown State University.

Brenda L. Mack, of Canfield, president, Ohio Black Republicans Association.

Dr. Laura Meeks, of Steubenville, president, Eastern Gateway Community College.

Jill L. Murphy, of Cortland, vice president, government banking, Huntington National Bank.

Merry Nemeth, of Canfield, controller, RailWorks Track Services, Inc.

Mariann Pacak, of Campbell, director of Heart & Vascular Services, Humility of Mary Health Partners.

Diana L. Palmer, CPA, of Cortland, owner & CEO, Diana Palmer, CPA Inc. & Family Financial Planning, LLC.

Jodi Riedel, of Niles, supervisor of special needs, Trumbull Career and Technical Center.

Beth Scheller, of Columbiana, vice president of strategic advancement, YMCA of Youngstown.

Lorilyn Shandor, of New Middletown, gift planning/campaign director, OPRS Foundation/Park Vista.

Lori Sylvester, of Cortland, vice president of clinical services, Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Barbara K. Yates, of Youngstown, division director, behavioral health outpatient services, Compass Family and Community Services.