For more than 40 years, the ATHENA Leadership Award has celebrated individuals who lead with purpose, lift others as they rise, and make a lasting impact on Ontario County.
Since 2010, the ATHENA Young Professional Award has recognized emerging leaders who are already shaping the future through their drive, integrity and commitment to others.
Together, these honorees represent the very best of Ontario County—visionaries, mentors and changemakers whose leadership continues to strengthen our businesses, organizations, and communities.
For more information about ATHENA International, click here.
ATHENA Recipients
2025
Jennifer Harris
instructional coach at Geneva City School District, adjunct professor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Finger Lakes Community College, and co-founder and assistant director of Thrive to Survive
2024
Maggie Atkins
Retired Engineer and Business Manager
2023
Kristen Harter
Event Coordinator, Nolan's on Canandaigua Lake /Canandaigua Country Club
2022
Michelle Pedzich
SVP, Chief Human Resource Officer, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust
2021
Hazel Robertshaw
Vice President of Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer, UR Medicine Thompson Health
2019
Margaret E. Somerset, Esq.
Partner, Underberg & Kessler LLP
2018
Marge Donhauser
Owner/LPN, Donhauser Nursing Service
2017
Terrie Meyn
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Happiness House
2016
Ann Scheetz
Executive Director, Ontario ARC
2015
Lauren Kolb
Senior Wealth Advisor, Tompkins Financial Advisors
2014
Deborah Wilbur
Retired Teacher, Canandaigua Schools
2013
Stephanie Kunes
President, National MS Society Upstate New York
2012
Sharon Gullo
Retired Psychiatric Nurse, Canandaigua Lake Counseling
2011
Barbara Risser
President Emeritus, Finger Lakes Community College
2010
Lynne Erdle
Retired Superintendent, Canandaigua City School District
2009
Margaret & Randy Farnsworth
Owners, Randall Farnsworth Auto Group
2009
Virginia "Ginny" Clark
Executive Director, Sands Family Foundation
2008
Deborah Denome
Director, Seeking Common Ground
2007
Barbara Fuge
Former CFO, Genesee Regional Bank & Community Volunteer
2006
Janet Tenreiro
Former Owner, The Medicine Shoppe
2005
Rhoda Childs
Former Managing Regional Director, United Way of Ontario County
2004
Marci Diehl
Owner, Double Vision Creative
2003
Karen Davison Blazey
Former Executive Officer, Quantum Performance Group Inc.
2002
Deborah Weymouth
President & Chief Executive Officer, HealthAlliance Hospital
2001
Valerie Knoblauch
President, Finger Lakes Visitors Connection
2000
Lauren Dixon
CEO & Owner, Dixon Schwabl Advertising, Inc.
1999
Gail O'Brien
Retired President, Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce
1998
Sharon Pepper
Retired, Senior Vice President of Senior Living Services, Thompson Health
1997
Teresa Hall
President, TCHMED Consulting, Inc
1996
Ellen Polimeni
Former Mayor of the City of Canandaigua and Retired Assistant Principal, Canandaigua Middle School
1995
Gail D. Love
Retired Owner, Human Resource Associates
1994
Judith M. Stewart
Retired Senior Vice President, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust
1993
Linda Farchione Hawks
Retired President and CEO, Thompson Health
1992
Joyce Ezrow
Retired Associate Professor of Business, Anne Arundel Community College
1991
Linda Welch
Retired Owner, The Shopping News
1990
Kay James
Retired City Manager, City of Canandaigua
1989
Lois Kozlowski
Retired Owner, Wizard of Clay Pottery
1988
Gail Herman
Director, Sales and Marketing, Canandaigua The Medicine Shoppe
1987
Barbara Nelson
Former Executive Director, West Ontario County Red Cross, American Red Cross
1986
Tarry Shipley
Retired Business Manager, WCGR/WFLC
1985
Diane Reed
Associate Professor and Co-Director, Graduate Educational Leadership Program, St. John Fisher College
ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award Recipients
2025
Maureen Ballatori
Founder and CEO
of Agency 29
2024
Abbey Friend-Vienna
Lead Listing Agent, The Friend Team Real Estate
2023
Elisha Everson
Operations Manager, SimcoHR
2022
Tara Rago
VP, Canandaigua Branch Manager, Lyons National Bank
2021
Mandy Friend Gigliotti
Team Leader, The Friend Team at Keller Williams Realty
2019
Allison Hildebrandt
Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity of Ontario County
2018
Jennie Erdle
Director of Student Life, Finger Lakes Community College
2017
Sayeh Rivazfar
Investigator, New York State Police
2016
Kimberly Sorel
Assistant Vice President, Community Office Manager, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust
2015
Teresa Deacon
Family Assessment and Support Worker, Child & Family Resources
2014
Nadia Harvieux
Conservation Outreach Educator, Muller Field Station and Adjunct Faculty Member, Conservation Department, Finger Lakes Community College; Education Program Manager, Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges
2013
Erica Bapst
Owner, Adorn Jewelry and Accessories
2012
Margaret "Maggie" Whelehan
Assistant Vice-President and Personal Banking and Insurance Services Manager, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust
2011
Tracey Fuller
President, Heiser Logistics and L&J Fire Equipment
2010
Teresa Pare
Owner, The Law Offices of Teresa M. Pare