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Home > NEWS > Press Room > PRESS RELEASES > 22nd Annual ATHENA® Leadership Award Winners Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 9, 2011                                                                                        

22nd ANNUAL ATHENA® LEADERSHIP AWARD

WINNERS ANNOUNCED

(BUFFALO, N.Y.) – The 22nd Annual ATHENA Award® was presented on November 4, 2011 to Connie Vari, Executive Vice President & COO at Kaleida Health during a luncheon hosted by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership at the Buffalo Niagara Marriott. The award is given annually to an individual in Buffalo Niagara who demonstrates support for the goals of women professionals, and provides significant and selfless assistance on their behalf.

Connie Vari’s career began as a labor and delivery staff nurse, and over 35 years, rose through the ranks to become Kaleida Health’s Executive Vice President & COO.  She currently oversees Kaleida’s strategic and operating performance, leading the organization as it adapts to the numerous external factors facing healthcare nationwide.  As a leader at work and in the community, Connie has a profound ability to impact the careers of other women.  She serves the community by partnering with local colleges and universities, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Junior Achievement.  In establishing a partnership between Kaleida Health and Erie Community College, she enabled a new faculty position and scholarships to 20 ECC students each year, with an eye toward keeping graduates in the region. 

Christine Bonaguide, a Partner at Hodgson Russ LLP received the 2011 KPMG Athena Young Professional Leadership Award, which honors an emerging leader demonstrating excellence, creativity and initiative in their profession.

As a young Partner in Hodgson Russ’ Business Practice Group, Christine Bonaguide has won a mentoring award for her work with new associates at the firm and is co-leader of the firm’s women’s marketing initiative, where she supports female attorneys in their business development efforts.  Passionate about advancing the careers of women in business, Christine recently completed a two-year term as advisory board chair at the Canisius College Women’s Business Center.  In addition, she serves as a board member at World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara, and is active with the American, Maryland, and New York Bar Associations.  She has been president of the Buffalo Wellesley College alumni club since 2004 and mentors a local Junior Girl Scouts Troup.

“The Partnership is proud to be associated with ATHENA International to encourage the opening of leadership opportunities for women. Locally, the award program and this organization are dedicated to promoting and honoring the valuable contributions being made to advance the status of women in the Buffalo Niagara region. Congratulations go out to the recipients,” said Andrew Rudnick, President and CEO of Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

About the Buffalo Niagara Partnership

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership includes nearly 2,500 local employers, working together, for growth and an improved business climate in the region.  The Partnership advocates to remove obstacles that impede investment and job growth in the area and offers members products and services to help save money and increase revenue. The Partnership also helps local companies in today’s thriving industry sectors achieve success by providing business development and business intelligence experts, and a variety of programs that improve workforce, productivity, operations, and bottom-line. The Partnership sets itself apart by bringing business people together to grow their network, learn from their peers, develop their career and participate in activism concerning current and future issues facing the business community and the region.

About the Athena Award program
The ATHENA Award® Program is provided by ATHENA International to encourage the opening of leadership opportunities for women. Locally, the award program is dedicated to promoting and honoring the valuable contributions being made to advance the status of women in the Buffalo Niagara region.  

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