The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has announced the 11 women chosen as finalists for its prestigious ATHENA Awards as it continues its 28-year tradition of recognizing outstanding Valley businesswomen.

The ATHENA Businesswoman of the Year Award recognizes a woman in the public and private sector, in addition to highlighting an upcoming leader in the Valley as an ATHENA Young Professional.  ATHENA finalists are chosen for their excellence in business and leadership, dedication to the community and support and mentorship of other women. The 11 finalists are:

ATHENA Private Sector finalists:
Judi Butterworth, Velocity Retail Group
Heidi Jannenga, WebPT
Melissa Sanderson, Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
Kay Wing, Southwest Advanced Neurological Rehabilitation (SWAN Rehab)

ATHENA Public Sector finalists:
Cathy Brown, First Things First
Lillian Garcia, American Red Cross
Sunnee O’Rork, i.d.e.a. Museum
Leah Fregulia Roberts, Arizona School for the Arts

ATHENA Young Professional finalists:
Jessica Hipskind, University of Phoenix
Ashley Kasarjian, Snell and Wilmer L.L.P.
Lea Phillips, Ballard Spahr LLP

The ATHENA Award highlights women who have achieved the pinnacle of success within their industry, have mentored women throughout their career, and have dedicated themselves to the community through various activities and charities. The ATHENA Award, a program of the international ATHENA organization founded by Martha Mertz in 1982, supports, develops and honors women leaders and pushes them to reach their full potential by invoking the ideals of the Greek goddess of courage, wisdom, arts and science.

Three ATHENA Award recipients will be announced at the Chamber’s 28th Annual ATHENA Awards luncheon on Thursday, October 29, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Join the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce to help celebrate the outstanding businesswomen in our community and to support all nominees, finalists and recipients past and present.

“All of today’s ATHENA finalists’ achievements serve as an inspiration for us all and embody the spirit of this prestigious award,” said Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. “These exemplary women represent professional excellence and leadership of the highest honor and have a genuine desire to inspire, develop and support other women to achieve their full potential. They make our community a better place in which to live, work and play.”

“It is exciting and humbling to be among the finalists for Arizona’s prestigious ATHENA award,” said Melissa Sanderson, vice president of international affairs at Freeport McMoRan Inc. “I will certainly continue to try and live up to the high standards set by previous ATHENA recipients.”

“I am honored, humbled and thrilled to be amongst such an outstanding group of finalists,” said Sunnee D. O’Rork, executive director of i.d.e.a. Museum. “The Phoenix Chamber’s ATHENA Award is widely recognized and held in high esteem and a point of pride for any woman to receive. Thank you for your work in the community to bring to light the difference so many women are making on the lives of children and families in the Valley and beyond.”

Added Sanders, “It is an honor for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce to highlight the leadership, community service and contributions of these women and continue the great tradition of the ATHENA Awards.”

Congratulations to all of the 2015 Nominees:
Susan Anable, Cox Communications
Rhonda Bannard, Inspired Connections
Samantha Bauer, AAA Arizona
Susan Berman, Fresh Start Women’s Foundation
Lynda Bishop, Relationship Insurance
Glynis Bryan, Insight
Tyler Butler, GoDaddy
Katherine Castignetti, Arizona Managing Partners
Alyssa Crockett, Ryan House
Dr. Lily Matos DeBlieux, Pendergast School District
Cheryl Denham, Arizona Family Florist LLC
Michelle Dew, Scottsdale Community College
Jessica Estrada, Grant Thornton LLP
Dr. Rockel Etienne, Argosy University
Stefanie Fasciocco,  Awe Collective
Laura Franco French, Arizona Office of Tourism
Nicole Maroulakos Goodwin, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Cheryl Green, AZ Big Media
Angela Hughey, ONE Community
Veronique James, The James Agency
Chris Linn, Feeding Matters
Salli Marinov, First American Stock Transfer, Inc.
Lupe Martinez, APS
Carol May, Wisdom Natural Brands
Kara McAllister-Dommel, Hair Again Salon
Julia Meyerson, Vista College Prep
Taryn Norley, The ALS Association, Arizona Chapter
Maureen O’Brien, Musical Instrument Museum
Jarrett Ransom, ReAwaken
Chandra Reilly, Sundt Construction, Inc.
Melba Rivera-Irizarry, Apollo Education Group
Karen Saelens, UnitedHealthcare
Carla Sandine, Highway Twenty
Blair Coe Schweiger, Genesis City
Margaret Serrano-Foster, Old Republic Title Holding Company
Scarlett Spring, VisionGate
Ursula Strephans, Central Arizona Shelter Services
Anne Trauter, Amalgamated Food Brokerage
Amanda Ventura, AZ Big Media
Terri Wogan, Social Venture Partners Arizona