Voice of Business Blog

Over the past 40 years, we have celebrated hundreds of women in Greater Rochester through our annual ATHENA Awards program. This February, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of presenting these awards in our community, our ATHENA Award finalists join the elite ranks of women who have shaped our region, and they are shaping the future through their leadership, mentorship, and drive.

This year’s group of finalists consists of fifteen trailblazing women from a remarkable spectrum of industries, from medicine to theater, from nonprofits to finance, and from digital strategy to higher education. Across industries and backgrounds, these leaders share a belief that real progress happens when we bring more people in—not leave them out. That business growth and community impact are not mutually exclusive. That inclusion is both the right thing to do and the most strategic.

Leaders like Wendy Bello at WROC | RochesterFirst are helping to shape the narrative of our community and connect businesses to each other, and to our region. Courtney Cotrupe at Partners + Napier and Jessica Savage at Dixon Schwabl + Company are building brands and connecting opportunity to prosperity for the economic building blocks of our region.

Our community is built for the people who call it home, but loved by many more. The work produced by Elizabeth Williamson at Geva Theatre draws significant tourism to our region and builds on its iconic legacy. And under the leadership of Naomi Silver, the Rochester Red Wings are a beloved Rochester icon – bringing baseball and community impact to our region.

In our community, there’s no such thing as ‘good enough’ – growth is a constant. Leaders like Andrea Holland at Andrea Holland Coaching are working hard to make sure everybody has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. And that’s not just for those already here. With Amy Storey at the helm, Keuka College is fostering the next generation of leaders with students coming from around the world to study in the Finger Lakes.

With a world class reputation for its healthcare, Greater Rochester relies on leaders like Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo at UR Medicine to bring care and comfort to the children and families in our community. Kim McCluski at Golisano Children’s Hospital has spent her career building upon this reputation and legacy and enabling our hospital systems to grow, serve, and succeed for years to come.

The forward looking mindset of so many leaders in our region is what keeps Rochester on the map for generations. Leaders like Cori Raggi at 1RDG, the financial center, bring humanity and personal touch to financial partnership for business management and long-term strategic planning. And, Colleen Matteson at Bank of America connects resources to companies, families, and individuals in the region to help improve their financial lives and build generational wealth.

In our region, nobody goes it alone. Maria Crisalli at Hillside brings resilience to youth and families who have experienced trauma. Meaghan de Chateauvieux at Willow Domestic Violence Center champions survivor safety, justice, healing, and hope. Marisa Geitner at Heritage Christian Services ensures all people - children, older adults and people with disabilities - feel valued and respected. And, Tashanda Thomas at Foodlink brings our community together to end hunger and build healthier communities. Across the whole spectrum of need, our community is connected in the belief that we’re stronger together.

But one thing unites all of these finalists – their commitment to and role in shaping a better Greater Rochester, NY for women and girls today and tomorrow. We’re looking forward to celebrating all of them and the legacies they are building at our 40th anniversary ATHENA Awards celebration on Thursday, February 5.

If you'd like to join us in helping celebrate these remarkable women in our region, tickets and sponsorships are available for individuals and organizations. Get the details here. Let’s show up – for them, for one another, and for the future we're building together. Stay tuned over the coming weeks as we spotlight the finalists in our Young Professional and Organizational Award categories!