ATHENA Valley of the Sun (AVOS), a nonprofit based in Mesa, is celebrating “Women Igniting Change” at the 2018 ATHENA HAIL Awards on March 8, International Women’s Day, from 11:00 am to 1 pm at the Phoenix Airport Marriott. The special event will honor 2018 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient Dr. Eileen Borris, and six other outstanding Arizona women for their work in the community. Ten young women from East Valley high schools will serve as emcees for the special event which will include streamed messages from global women’s organizations.
Borris, a resident of Paradise Valley, is a clinical psychologist and best-selling author of “Finding Forgiveness: A 7-Step Plan to Letting Go of Anger and Bitterness.” In 2012, she was one of the few individuals invited to address the United Nations General Assembly regarding the prevention of armed conflict and strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes in war torn areas.
According to AVOS Founder Dr. Kristine Quade, “We are excited to honor these incredible women who are igniting change on both a local and global level on International’s Women Day. This is a celebration of not just our award recipients but of all women.”
AVOS is the official Arizona affiliate of ATHENA International, an organization which has recognized 7000 women leaders in over 500 communities worldwide. They provide monthly educational forums on leadership and other programs to support the advancement of women through their mission to “Leave No Woman Leader Behind.”
The March 8 event will also celebrate six HAIL (Hail Athena Inspired Leaders) Award recipients chosen through an extensive nomination process for their exemplification of the one of the ATHENA™ Leadership Principles: Live Authentically, Learn Constantly, Build Relationships, Foster Collaboration, Advocate Fiercely, Act Courageously and Give Back and Celebrate.
The 2018 HAIL award recipients to be honored on International Women’s Day are Holly Rose, Deborah Welch, Jill Mapstead, Susan Cordts, Maya Bernadette and Saundra Schrock.
After conquering breast cancer at the age of 39, Holly Rose founded her nonprofit “Don’t be a Chump! Check for a Lump!” to empower women with the facts regarding breast cancer. The organization provides free wigs to women who have experienced hair loss due to cancer treatment and free mammogram screenings. She is being honored for the ATHENA principal of Act Courageously.
Deborah Welch, PhD, teaches at Capella University and co-facilitates learning communities with dedicated leaders through her organization, Reflective Leadership Global, and is the author of Forgiveness at Work. She is being honored for the principle of Live Authentically.
Jill Mapstead will represent the principle of Advocate Fiercely for her work on the empowerment of women through business ownership through her position as Board Chair for the YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, and her work with the disabled as Board President of Detour Company Theatre – a performance troupe for adults with cognitive and/or physical challenges.
Susan Cordts founded Catalytic Health Partners in order to dramatically improve healthcare using real-time data supported by proprietary technology to deliver outstanding care. Through the principle of Foster Collaboration, she has fostered an environment of diversity, innovation and broad and deep collaboration to improve health outcomes for patient members, providers, caregivers and communities.
After graduating from Yale University with a Bachelor’s Degree and receiving her Master’s from the University of Arizona in 2015, Gabriela Maya Bernadette is a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and works as an Instructor for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to help tribal members obtain GED certification. She is being honored for the principle of Building Relationships.
After a successful career managing 30,000 employees, Saundra Schrock founded Levelhead in order to coach and mentor others to improve their overall well-being and enhance workplace performance by developing a functional mindfulness program. To meet the needs of today’s workforce, she turned to technology to help refine and grow her company through the principle of Learn Constantly.
Ten outstanding young women from East Valley high schools will serve as event emcees as part of the Young ATHENA program: Soniyah Robinson, Maitri Bhakta, Abbie Tyhurst, Sarai Perez Jauregui, Raquel Moore, Lydia Durrett, Jennifer Equihua, Kalena Oorlog, Ali McAuliff and Lauren Colson.
Sponsors for the 2018 ATHENA HAIL Awards include the Rob and Melani Foundation, Fry’s Food Stores, Kolbe Corp., Freeport-McMoRan, the Global Chamber and Patient Wellness Collaboration. Event proceeds will help provide leadership programs and other support to area women and young women in grades 11 and 12.
The ATHENA HAIL Awards is being held March 8, 2018, International Women’s Day, from 11:00 am – 1 pm (10:30 am check-in) at the Phoenix Airport Marriott. Tickets are $85 and include the luncheon and awards ceremony and are available at www.athenaaz.com. For more information on ATHENA Valley of the Sun or to sponsor or donate, call 480-420-7277 or email info@athenaaz.com.
