• Subscribe
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Contact
Join Today!
Buffalo Niagara Partnership Buffalo Niagara Partnership
  • It’s Our Job
    • Business Resources
    • Digital Business Kit
    • Get Involved
    • Shop Local
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Agenda
    • Advocacy Wins
    • Public Officials Directory
    • Advocacy Partners
    • Member Pulse Report
    • Take Action
  • Initiatives
    • Diversity & Inclusion
      • D&I Virtual Learning Series
      • D&I Academy
      • D&I Executive Exchange
      • D&I Symposium
      • Employing D&I in WNY
    • Economic Development
      • Development Advisory Council
      • Manufacturing Council
      • Cross Border Economy
      • Strategic Partners
    • Employ Buffalo Niagara
      • Community Coalition
      • Talent Pipeline Management
      • Benefits Cliff Calculator
      • Workforce Policy Advocacy
      • HR Toolkit
      • Career Pathways
      • Earn & Learn
    • Professional Development
      • Executive Exchange
      • Leader Exchange
      • Sales Leader Exchange
    • BN360 Young Professionals
      • BN360 Events
      • Individual Membership
      • Corporate Membership
      • YP Guide
  • COVID-19 Business Resources
    • BNP Business Link
    • Keep Buffalo Niagara Working
    • WNY Business Impact Survey Results
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Directory
    • Annual Report to Members
    • News & Press
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Membership
    • Membership Overview
    • Member Directory
    • Insurance & Healthcare
    • Payroll & HR Assistance
    • Associate Memberships
    • Certificate of Origin
    • Marketing Opportunities

ATHENA Awards

31st Annual ATHENA Awards®

April 5, 2022 from 11 AM – 1:30 PM at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center!

 See the Full List of Finalists  |   View the Commemorative Album 

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: 

Our 2022 ATHENA Award® Finalists:

Say Yes Student Leader Award

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! 

ATHENA Leadership Award®

The ATHENA Leadership Award® honors an exceptional individual who has achieved the highest level of professional excellence, contributed time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community, and actively assisted others—particularly women—in realizing their full leadership potential.
  • Felicia Beard
    Senior Director, Racial Equity Initiatives – Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
  • Melinda Buckley
    CFO – OLV Charities
  • Christine Dougherty
    Senior VP, Managing Director – Mower
  • Lorna Fitzpatrick
    VP Senior Medical Director – Univera Healthcare
  • Dawne Hoeg
    Executive Director – Stitch Buffalo
  • Jennifer Johengen-Vogel
    VP of Health Management – Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY
  • Lisa LaTrovato
    Donor Relations Manager – Hauptman Woodward
  • Heidi Romer
    Director of Community Advancement – Jericho Road Community Health Center
  • Patti Stephen
    Executive Director – Buffalo Prep
  • Elizabeth Woike-Ganga
    President & CEO – BestSelf Behavioral Health
ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award®

The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® honors an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession, and serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally.
  • Chantal Benton
    Program Manager, Diversity Equity & Inclusion – Moog
  • Rachel Dorgan
    General Manager – Hyatt Place/Hamister Group
  • Tracy Garner
    Senior Provider Account Manager – Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY
  • Joanne Israel
    V.P./Assistant General Manager – Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino
  • Christine Kemp
    Director of Population Health – Evergreen Health
  • Darra Kubera
    Director of Communications – FOS of CannonDesign
  • Meghan Lutz
    Commissioner of Social Services – Niagara County Social Services
  • Molly Sievenpiper
    Business Operations Specialist – American Red Cross
  • Sonya Tareke
    Program Manager – Entrepreneurship for All
  • Vilona Trachtenberg
    Distribution Coordinator – New Era Cap
ATHENA Organizational Award® - For-Profit

The ATHENA Organizational Award® recognizes a for-profit organization that supports, develops, and honors women leaders, inspiring women to achieve their full potential and creating balance in leadership throughout Buffalo Niagara.

                             Hodgson Russ Attorneys LLP          M&T Bank

ATHENA Organizational Award® - Non-Profit

The ATHENA Organizational Award® recognizes a non-profit organization that supports, develops, and honors women leaders, inspiring women to achieve their full potential and creating balance in leadership throughout Buffalo Niagara.

                                                            

View the 2022 ATHENA Awards® Commemorative Album

About the ATHENA Awards®

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! 

bnp_athena_awards_20_lSzps[1]
bnp_athena_awards_20_kXcKL[1]
bnp_athena_awards_20_SIYlF[1]
bnp_athena_awards_20_u3LvD[1]
BNP Athena Awards 2019 Final-148
BNP Athena Awards 2019 Final-125
BNP Athena Awards 2019 Final-113
BNP Athena Awards 2019 Final-103
Previous
Next

Thank You to our 2022 Annual ATHENA Award® Sponsors

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.  

Presenting Sponsor

seneca-gaming-logo-web
 
 

Finalist Sponsor

 

Official Accounting Sponsor

LM logo final
 

Official Media Sponsor

BuffaloMagazineLogo2020
 
 

Supporting Sponsors

Evergreen Health  |  Grover Cleveland Press  |  Heather Bellini Photography  |  St. Bonaventure University  

ATHENA Awards® Executive Committee

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

Buffalo Niagara Partnership

257 West Genesee Street, Suite 600
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: 716.852.7100       Fax: 716.852.2761

Quick Links

  • Member Directory
  • Become A Member
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

United States Chamber of Commerce Accredited
© Buffalo Niagara Partnership, All rights reserved. Privacy Policy