ATHENA & Catalyst

Women in Business Unlimited is the local host organization for the ATHENA Awards Program. The program celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of our community and recognizes those who support them. Each year WIBU solicits nominations  from East Central Indiana.  A panel of judges is chosen from outside of Delaware County to select the recipients. All nominees are recognized and the recipients are announced at the ATHENA Awards Luncheon. The ATHENA Awards Program is part of ATHENA International, whose mission is to support, honor, and develop women leaders.

Scroll down to learn more about our ATHENA schedule, the nomination process, and access the nomination form. First, let’s tell you all about our incredible Catalyst event.


Catalyst

Catalyst happens prior to the ATHENA Reception and Awards Banquet. We do this so our Catalyst attendees have the chance to join us later for the ATHENA celebration. You’ll find all the important details for our one-day Catalyst event here.

Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Time: 8 AM to 2 PM *registration 8:00 – 8:30 AM

📍 Location: Open Door Health Services (South Madison)

🌟 Theme: Unwritten

Registration is now closed. We’re at maximum capacity, so please plan to join us in October of 2025! Registration for 2025 will be announced in September of that year.

Join us for a day filled with inspiration, empowerment, and celebration of womanhood! This event aims to uplift and support women in their personal and professional journeys. It’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together as a community of strong, confident women.

Best of all, this event is completely FREE! So mark your calendars, register as soon as possible, spread the word, and get ready for an unforgettable day.

Morning refreshments will be provided, plus lunch sponsored by A-Team Concessions. Please let us know about any dietary needs or restrictions.

We’re fortunate to hear from these empowering speakers:

L-R:

  • Jeannine Harrold, 2023 WIBU Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Topic: “Be the Hero of Your Story”
  • Laura Mickler, Owner & Yoga Teacher at Sacred Steps Studio, Development Director at Hillcroft. Topic: “Why Not Create Your Best Life
  • Kat Blankenbaker, Real Estate Broker with Viking Reality. Topic: “Own It”
  • Rigel Jackson, Rigel Jackson Portraits (owner). Topic: “The Power of Being Seen”
Thank you, A Team Concessions, for sponsoring our lunch!
Don’t miss out on this fantastic event! Although tickets are complimentary … seats are limited. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on October 11 or earlier when the event RSVPs reach capacity.

WIBU Logo for the Catalyst Event. It features the ATHENA emblem with the word "Unwritten" below it and the acronym "WIBU."


This year’s ATHENA Luncheon is Wednesday, November 20, 2024.

Nominating for ATHENA

Before you nominate someone for an ATHENA award, we advise you make them aware of the nomination and share information about ATHENA and WIBU with them. It is the nominator’s responsibility to ensure the nominee’s resume and at least three letters of support are submitted by Friday, October 4th. If minimum requirements are not met, the nominee’s application will be disqualified from consideration.

ATHENA Leadership Award Nominees must meet each of the following three criteria:

  • Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession
  • Provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community
  • Actively assist women in achieving their full leadership potential
  • Deadline for nominations and all supporting documents is September 27, 2024

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Nominees are emerging leaders (40 and under at the time of the ATHENA luncheon on November 20th, 2024) who meet each of the following criteria:

  • Demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession
  • Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community
  • Clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally

 


ATHENA-Nominated Legacy Leaders are the nominees we wish to celebrate for their achievements and leadership within our community. While there is only one ATHENA Award Recipient each year, the Order of the Shield recognizes all of our ATHENA finalists for the quality of life for those around them. Members are known by the way they use creativity, wisdom, and a warrior-like tenacity to achieve their goals, much like our namesake Athena.

Every ATHENA finalist will be recognized as an ATHENA-Nominated Legacy Leader and inducted into the Order of the Shield.

 

Questions? Email info@info@wibumuncie.org.
>> Previous ATHENA Recipients