Since 1989, the BNP has been honored to produce the annual ATHENA Awards® Luncheon, at which finalists for the ATHENA Leadership Award®, the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award®, and the ATHENA Organizational Award® are celebrated. Recipients of each award are selected by secret ballot and announced LIVE at the event.
Our 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award® Recipient is Elizabeth Woike-Ganga, President & CEO, BestSelf Behavioral Health.
Liz cites the implementation of the Certified Community Behavioral Health clinic model at BestSelf as one of her career highlights. The CCBHC is the gold standard of comprehensive, accessible, high quality mental health and substance use disorder treatment services that help people to heal and improve their lives in a holistic manner. Learn more about Liz in her Q&A blog profile here.
Our 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award® Recipient is Vilona Trachtenberg, Distribution Coordinator, New Era Cap.
Vilona has found a passion for community service and has collaborated with many nonprofits to further their missions. She is dedicated to helping her hometown flourish and loves working with arts and cultural organizations, children, people with special needs, and Holocaust survivors. Learn more about Vilona in her blog profile here.
Our 2022 ATHENA Organizational Award® Recipients are:
Founded in 1817, Hodgson Russ is the largest and oldest law firm based in Buffalo, New York. Hodgson Russ has long been a leader in supporting, developing, honoring, and encouraging women. Learn more about their commitment to empowering women and girls through education, economic advancement, and mentoring.
The Summit Center is one of the leading not-for-profit agencies serving individuals with developmental, social, and behavioral challenges. Summit has approximately 450 employees, 85% of whom are women! Women steer the organization in virtually every leadership role. Learn more about their commitment to helping women and girls reach their full potential.
Learn more about all of our Finalists in the videos below:
Presented by The Buffalo News & Buffalo Magazine, honoring a Say Yes to Education Buffalo college scholarship student who has achieved the highest levels of academic, community and personal success.
This award was presented LIVE at the event to Jannatul Noshin!
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is the area representative for ATHENA International, a nonprofit that seeks to support, develop, and honor women leaders. The ATHENA Awards® are celebrated around the world in more than 500 communities and 8 countries.
The Annual Luncheon brings the individual and organizational finalists together with the community for networking and a celebratory Awards presentation!
Title Sponsor
Northwest Bank is a proud sponsor of the 2022 ATHENA Awards. Learn more about Title Sponsor Northwest’s commitment to supporting women in leadership and furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion in this short video interview.
Supporting Sponsors
Crystal Peoples-Stokes
Honorary Co-Chair
Trina Burruss
Chief Operating Officer | United Way
Lorrie Clemo
President | D’Youville College
Juweria Dahir
Executive Director | Entrepreneurship For All (eforall)
Rhonda Frederick
President and CEO | People, Inc.
Melissa Free
SVP & Chief Marketing Officer | Seneca Resorts & Casinos
Kelli Griffin
SVP, Head of Experience | Northwest Bank
Rachael Herrmann
Social Impact & Community Engagement Specialist | Rich Products Corporation
Katie Krawczyk
CEO and Partner | 19 Ideas
Danielle Ossher
Creative Director | Buffalo Magazine
Mary Owusu
CEO & Head of Digital | GuruBound.com
Teresa Sprague
Creative Services Manager | Independent Health
Sujata Yalamanchili
Partner | Hodgson Russ LLP