Canandaigua ATHENA Leadership Awards, first hosted in 1985, has grown to be one of Ontario County's largest awards events.
Nominees for ATHENA exemplify the highest level of professional excellence and exceptional leadership. They contribute time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and actively mentors others, particularly women, in realizing their full potential. Nominees are honored at the ATHENA Leadership Awards Dinner each November, and recipients of the ATHENA Leadership and ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Awards (nominees 40 and younger) are announced for the first time that evening.
The event is a partnership between the Chamber of Commerce and Professional Women of the Finger Lakes. A portion of the proceeds fund college scholarships for local women.
Do you know someone who would be an excellent nominee? Click here to receive a nomination form when the next nomination process begins.
Do you have someone in mind who would be an excellent nominee in the future? Click here to get next year's nomination form sent to you when they come out in the spring.


Canandaigua ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients

2019: Margaret E. Somerset, Esq.,
Partner, Underberg & Kessler LLP

2018: Marge Donhauser
Owner/LPN, Donhauser Nursing Service

2017: Terrie Meyn
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Happiness House

2016: Ann Scheetz
Executive Director, Ontario ARC

2015: Lauren Kolb
Senior Wealth Advisor, Tompkins Financial Advisors

2014: Deborah Wilbur
Retired Teacher, Canandaigua Schools

2013: Stephanie Kunes
President, National MS Society Upstate New York

2012: Sharon Gullo
Retired Psychiatric Nurse, Canandaigua Lake Counseling

2011: Barbara Risser
President Emeritus, Finger Lakes Community College

2010: Lynne Erdle
Retired Superintendent, Canandaigua City Schools District

2009: Margaret & Randy Farnsworth
Owners, Randall Farnsworth Auto Group

2009: Virginia "Ginny" Clark
Executive Director, Sands Family Foundation

2008: Deborah Denome
Director, Seeking Common Ground

2007: Barbara Fuge
Former CFO, Genesee Regional Bank & Community Volunteer

2006: Janet Tenreiro
Former Owner, The Medicine Shoppe

2005: Rhoda Childs
Former Managing Regional Director, United Way of Ontario County

2004: Marci Diehl
Owner, Double Vision Creative

2003: Karen Davison Blazey
Former Executive Officer, Quantum Performance Group, Inc.

2002: Deborah Weymouth
President & Chief Executive Officer, HealthAlliance Hospital

2001: Valerie Knoblauch
President, Finger Lakes Visitors Connection

2000: Lauren Dixon
CEO & Owner, Dixon Schwabl Advertising, Inc.

1999: Gail O'Brien
Retired President, Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce

1998: Sharon Pepper
Retired, Senior Vice President of Senior Living Services, Thompson Health

1997: Teresa Hall
President, TCHMED Consulting, Inc

1996: Ellen Polimeni
Former Mayor of the City of Canandaigua and Retired Assistant Principal, Canandaigua Middle School

1995: Gail D. Love
Retired Owner, Human Resource Associates

1994: Judith M. Stewart
Retired Senior Vice President, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust

1993: Linda Farchione Hawks
Retired President and CEO, Thompson Health

1992: Joyce Ezrow
Retired Associate Professor of Business, Anne Arundel Community College

1991: Linda Welch
Retired Owner, The Shopping News

1990: Kay James
Retired City Manager, City of Canandaigua

1989: Lois Kozlowski
Retired Owner, Wizard of Clay Pottery

1988: Gail Herman
Director, Sales and Marketing, Canandaigua The Medicine Shoppe

1987: Barbara Nelson
Former Executive Director, West Ontario County Red Cross, American Red Cross

1986: Tarry Shipley
Retired Business Manager, WCGR/WFLC

1985: Diane Reed
Associate Professor and Co-Director, Graduate Educational Leadership Program, St. John Fisher College

Canandaigua ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award Recipients

2019: Allison Hildebrandt
Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity of Ontario County

2018: Jennie Erdle
Director of Student Life, Finger Lakes Community College

2017: Sayeh Rivazfar
Investigator, New York State Police

2016: Kimberly Sorel
Assistant Vice President, Community Office Manager, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust

2015: Teresa Deacon
Family Assessment and Support Worker, Child & Family Resources

2014: Nadia Harvieux
Conservation Outreach Educator, Muller Field Station and Adjunct Faculty Member, Conservation Department, Finger Lakes Community College; Education Program Manager, Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges

2013: Erica Bapst
Owner, Adorn Jewelry and Accessories

2012: Margaret "Maggie" Whelehan
Assistant Vice-President and Personal Banking and Insurance Services Manager, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust

2011: Tracey Fuller
General Manager, Heiser Logistics and L&J Fire Equipment

2010: Teresa Pare
Owner, The Law Offices of Teresa M. Pare