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ATHENA Award nominees all exceptional women
By KALEA HALL
YOUNGSTOWN
An accountant, a politician, a health care professional and a businesswoman.
Those are just some of the titles of the 16 women nominated this year for the ATHENA Award.
“We have always had an exceptional group of women,” said Kim Calvert, vice president, marketing and business services for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
The 23rd ATHENA Award dinner and ceremony presented by the chamber and The Vindicator will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Centre, 7440 South Ave., Boardman.
The award is presented to an exceptional woman who has made an impact in her career and demonstrates leadership in the community.
The nominees are:
Amanda Armeni, a professor of accounting at Hiram College who began her career as an accountant with Ernst & Young. She has worked to develop curriculum at the college, building a partnership program with Lorain and Cuyahoga counties’ community colleges.
Genie Aubel, president of St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center. Aubel worked her way up through the ranks at Mercy Health to her position. Her leadership has led to expansions at the hospital, and recognition for quality, safety and patient care.
Jennifer Baun was the director of comprehensive audit prevention services for American Pharmacy Cooperative Inc. She is now the director of business analysis and project implementation for the organization. Her role is to help make independent community pharmacies more profitable, while finding business solutions to help them compete, and receive recognition in the health care industry.
State Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, has been in office since 2007. In nine years, Cafaro has established a record of legislative leadership. She has advocated for economic growth, health care and victims’ rights. She has authored and sponsored laws such as the Ohio’s Medicaid Reform and the law establishing protocol to clear the backlog of rape kits in Ohio.
Shelley Criswell, owner of A La Cart-Catering of Canfield, started her career as a server and worked up the chain until she bought a catering business and renamed it. The business has expanded to have 32 employees and several menu options.
Rebecca Gerson, deputy law director for the City of Youngstown, first worked as a part-time employee reviewing workers’ compensation filings. Her law-director promotion came in 2012. Last year, Gerson worked to reach contract negotiations between the city and all of its unions without any work stoppages. As a result of her work with workers’ compensation, the city is credit-rated by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for the first time in about 20 years.
Denise Gorski, the first female director of athletics at Boardman Local Schools, has received several awards in her career as a teacher and a coach at Boardman High School. Before becoming director of athletics, Gorski was head coach of the girls’ track team for 34 years and led the team to more than 50 championships.
Mary Halfacre, Area Agency of Aging 11 external control monitor, was one of the first employees at the agency who worked to implement statewide home and community-based services in the 1970s. She was informed on issues with nursing homes and found the cause was untrained staff and unenforced regulations.
Michelle Hirschl is a representative with Teva Pharmaceuticals who has provided several Mahoning Valley physicians and pharmacists with knowledge on her company’s products for the past 14 years. She has led her territory from a bottom ranking to second in the nation. She also has consistently ranked in the top 25 of sales representatives in her region.
Carol Jean Hirt’s work in electron microscopy has led to advancements in the field. Hirt, vice president, co-owner and head of Microscopy Services at Materials Research Laboratories, works to improve the performance of lasik surgery techniques.
Geri Kosar has been a champion for the autism community since she learned of her grandson’s autism diagnosis. In 1995, Kosar and others started a summer program for autistic children. The Rich Center for Autism serves 70 students annually at three Mahoning County locations. Kosar, co-chairwoman for The Rich Center, serves on fundraising committees for the organization.
The lean materials strategy plant lead at General Motors Lordstown Complex has several responsibilities. Katrina Oliver has to develop and implement processes for current and future assembly quality, increase productivity and reduce manpower and costs. She has received the GM Team Award for the launch of the C7 Corvette in 2013 and the GM Group Leader of the Quarter Awards twice.
Barbara Radis, senior vice president of retail lending at Home Savings & Loan Co. of Youngstown, has continually worked to guide the bank through changes and advancements. She has restructured the banking institution during the past 41/2 years. While doing that, she built a strong sales culture. Revenue and deposits grew, and more product offerings were put out.
Christine Snipes has not only treated patients in her job as a physical therapist at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital, but her work has also enhanced patient care, customer satisfaction and the growth of the hospital. Snipes’ top accomplishment was the coordination of “The Power to End Stroke Health Fair.”
Cheryl Strother, director of nursing at the Warren City Health Department, has been a full-time nurse for the Public Health Clinic since 2009 and continues to maintain the integrity of the clinic while developing programs for the city. Last year, she was nominated to receive the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award.
Bonnie Wilson’s fundraising efforts at Someplace Safe and Solace Center has allowed for more impact on women and families. Wilson, director of domestic violence and visitation services for the center in Trumbull County, has worked to garner funds for the center to build a children’s playroom, research center and library.
The nominees listed are all the submissions for nominations the chamber received since January.
In other ATHENA programs, the nominations are cut down to a certain number, but not this one.
“We didn’t want to do that because we want to celebrate the success of all the professional women,” Calvert said. “Every year we have such a great response.”
The event will feature a keynote speech from Beth Mooney, chairwoman and chief executive officer of KeyCorp.
For the past 10 years the local ATHENA Awards has been listed as one of the top five in the country based on number of nominations and attendance.
This year, there are 500 on the list to attend.
“We are very proud of that distinction,” Calvert said.