WE ARE A CATALYST
For developing diverse, transformative leaders who create a balance in leadership voices worldwide
WELCOME
ATHENA CLASS of 2026!
Evelyn Abello
Philippine Honorary Consul
Philippine Honorary Consul in Anchorage
Dana Fabe
Founder/Owner
Fabe Dispute Resolution LLC
Gretchen Wieman Fauske
Director of Special Programs & Strategy
Alaska Small Business Development Center
Susanne Fleek Green
Chief of Staff
Municipality of Anchorage
Jessica Graham
Executive Vice President/Chief Risk Officer
Global Credit Union
Katherine Jernstrom
Founder/Owner
The Boardroom
Catkin Kilcher Burton
Colonel, USMC (retired)
United States Marine Corps
Alexandra McKay
President and Chief Executive Officer
Alaska Community Foundation
Michele Parkhurst
President
Kaladi Brothers Coffee
Kikkan Randall
Executive Director
Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
Lori Townsend
Chief Editor & Senior Vice President of Journalism
Alaska Public Media
2026 ATHENA Leadership Award Winner: Dr Anne Zink
The Anchorage ATHENA Society is a program of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, celebrating professional excellence, commitment to community, and the encouragement of leadership potential of women.
Upcoming Important ATHENA Dates
Class of 2026 Nomination Period
| Nominations open | Friday | 1/2/26, 8 AM |
| Nominations close | Monday | 2/9/26, 5 PM |
Class of 2026 Selection and Announcement
| Class selected | Tuesday | 2/19/26 |
| 2026 Class announced | Thursday | 2/19/26 |
ATHENA Luncheon
| Mon, 3/16/26 |
The Anchorage ATHENA Society is a program of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, celebrating professional excellence, commitment to community, and the encouragement of leadership potential of women.
ATHENA MEMBER DIRECTORY
Become Involved!
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can become involved with the Anchorage ATHENA Society!
Eleanor Andrews
Founder of the Anchorage ATHENA Society
The ATHENA Society now has 371 members, representing a diverse group of professionals. The first award was given to Dr. Joyce Murphy in 1988 and then in 1995 it was presented to Eleanor Andrews. That year Eleanor traveled to the National ATHENA Conference which inspired her to found Anchorage ATHENA.
The ATHENA Story
The inspiration for the ATHENA organization originated in Lansing, Michigan in 1980 when Martha Mayhood Mertz, a local real estate entrepreneur and president of an investment organization, was asked to serve on the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
At that time, not only was she the only woman serving on the board but in the 75 year history of presenting community awards, the Lansing Chamber had honored only one woman. Mertz decided to change that.
MISSION
We are a catalyst for developing diverse, transformative leaders worldwide through leadership programs that ignite, inspire and celebrate girls, women and allies.
VISION
We believe cultivating and elevating women leaders is essential to realizing a balance in leadership voices worldwide.
WEBSITE UNDERWRITERS
