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18 nominated for 2017 Athena Award
By Kalea Hall
YOUNGSTOWN
The accomplishments of 18 women will be recognized this week, and applauded.
Their titles are diverse, and they each have a list of accomplishments that make them qualified to be the next Athena Award recipient.
“It always amazes me. You receive all these nominations and there are so many women in roles and organizations you have not been familiar with,” said Kim Calvert, vice president of marketing and special events for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. “You start reading their achievements, and you get a feeling of awe. What they do makes you want to do more. It’s tremendous.”
The women will be presented at the 25th Annual Athena Award Dinner presented by the chamber and The Vindicator/Vindy.com at Mr. Anthony’s on Thursday.
Nominees are:
Susan Berny, gift-planning director of the Ohio Living Foundation
Jessica Borza, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition
Cynthia Cerimele, senior vice president/director of human resources at Home Savings Bank
Amy Cossentino, director, Honors College at Youngstown State University
Kate Davis, LPN, CDP, director, business development at Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice
Darlene Donatiello, owner of Dar’s Dirty Dogs LLC
Patricia Durkin, vice president, human resources at AIM Leasing Co.
Paulette Edington, director of Trumbull Family Fitness
Dr. Sergul Erzurum of Eye Care Associates
Anna Marie Klejka, vice president, Women’s Services at Mercy Health Youngstown
Deanna Marchionda, investment adviser representative at Transamerica Financial Advisors
Vicki McGee, owner of Simply Scarves ... And Such
Ginny Pasha, president & CEO of the United Way of Trumbull County
Tracy Schuler Vivo, teacher at Chaney High School
Sue Stricklin, senior vice president, marketing at Simon Roofing
Patricia Sweeney, health commissioner for the Mahoning County District Board of Health
Cheryl Tarantino, executive director of Northeast Ohio Adoption Services
Kathy Worhatch, senior vice president of KeyBank.
“It’s a very diverse group,” Calvert said.
Locally, the nomination process begins in January. A secret selection committee then reviews all of the nominees and chooses a recipient.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time someone is nominating them,” Calvert said. “I can tell you that in some of the cities, they don’t carry it out the same way. We honor all of the nominees and do not name finalists. That’s one of the biggest differences.”
Past recipients include hospital executives, a teacher and business leaders.
All nominees must exhibit professional excellence, community service and actively assist women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills, according to the Athena International website.
The local Athena Award Dinner is considered one of the largest in the nation by the number of people in attendance – on average 400 – and the number of nominees.
This year’s keynote speaker is Helen Paes, community development coordinator for the Youngstown office of the Alzheimer’s Association, and the first recipient of the Athena Award in 1990. There also will be a “take a look back” special video presentation to celebrate 25 years of Athena.
“We strive and make it very special,” Calvert said.
Be sure to check out Vindy.com on Thursday evening to learn who the 2017 Athena Award recipient is and read The Vindicator on Friday for a full feature story on the recipient and the event.