ATHENA LANSING
ATHENA Lansing is a community dedicated to supporting, promoting and celebrating women's leadership and professional growth and development. The mission of ATHENA Lansing is to create a supportive and empowering environment where women can develop their leadership skills, expand their networks, and achieve their full potential. Through mentorship, education, and advocacy, we strive to break down barriers and promote gender equality in the workplace and beyond. We provide resources and support for women, in all roles and responsibilities, to navigate the unique challenges they face as leaders and to help them make a positive impact on their communities. Our goal is to inspire and empower women to lead with confidence, to create a more equitable workplace and society, and to leave a lasting legacy of leadership for future generations.
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with and support the following ATHENA Lansing programs:
ATHENA Women’s Interest Network (WIN)
ATHENA WIN is a dynamic group of professional women determined to equip other women in mid-Michigan with the tools, information, and connections they need to succeed in their careers.
ATHENA PowerLink
ATHENA PowerLink is a national mentoring program that connects selected women business owners with a skilled advisory panel to provide free business consultation services for one year (value of over $25,000).
ATHENA Leadership Award
The ATHENA Leadership Award honors individuals who strive towards the highest levels of professional accomplishment, excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community, and pave paths for other women to follow.
More than 40 years ago, the ATHENA brand was born from a single idea by Martha Mertz while serving on the board of directors for the Lansing Regional Chamber Commerce (LRCC). Today, we could not be prouder of our connection to ATHENA, representing decades of leadership, innovation, and support of women leaders across the globe. Today, ATHENA International is a non-profit organization that aims to support, develop, and honor women leaders in communities around the world through scholarships, leadership forums, professional development, and recognizing women of excellence.
ATHENA Leadership Award
The ATHENA Leadership Award was created in 1982 by Martha Mertz, former president of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. It has spread worldwide with more than 6,000 awards presented in over 500 communities in the United States, Canada, China, Russia, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive towards the highest levels of professional accomplishment, excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community, and pave paths for other women to follow. It also celebrates the potential of all women as leaders of the community and recognizes those who support them.