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or more than two decades the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce has presented the ATHENA Award to a local businesswoman who has achieved excellence in her field, served the community and assisted other women in the attainment of their goals. Former ATHENA recipients include women from business, education, and politics. The Young Professional Award was added in 2007, and recognizes women who are emerging business leaders and serve as role models for young women both personally and professionally. Finalists for both awards are honored in a special Arizona Daily Sun feature and at the Chamber's Annual Meeting, Friday, February 18th, 11:30 am to 1:30 at the High Country Conference Center. ATHENA was founded nationally in 1982 by Martha Mayhood Mertz and ATHENA International, a non-profit organization that seeks to support, develop and honor women leaders. The Goddess Athena was chosen as the symbol for the program to reflect the qualities the awards honors: strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment.
2021 AWARD RECIPIENTS ATHENA AWARD Anne Newland, MD, MPH
ATHENA Young Professional AWARD Megan Roach
Dr. Anne Newland has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of North Country Health Care since December 2015. Prior to this role, she served as the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Throughout the COVID pandemic, Dr. Newland has demonstrated exemplary leadership. Instead of adopting a reactive response the the virus, Dr. Newland has remained ahead of the virus as best as possible, being the first healthcare provider to create an online symptoms checker tool and adapting to the ever-changing guidelines and best practices for COVID response. Dr. Newland serves her profession and her community through her tireless community service. It is clear that her work has one single purpose - to improve the lives of the people in our community. From being a graduate of the Flagstaff Leadership Program, to serving as the current President of the Flagstaff Shelter Services board and her work with the Arizona Alliance of Community Health Centers, Dr. Newland's work and commitment is to help people and build a stronger community.
Megan Roach's desire to support the community is contagious and she has successfully delivered fundraising through her role as Events Specialist at the Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation. Megan also works with Northern Arizona University students and volunteers, mentoring and teaching them how to manage programs and work within the healthcare field. Megan is the Foundation's lead contact with NAU clubs and internship programs, training and managing more than 20 student volunteers and making sure each student that takes part is provided a valuable, learning experience. In 2019 she not only joined the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals group, but was immediately recognized for her professional knowledge and stepped into a leadership role on the board. After just one year on the board, Megan was identified for her leadership skills, and selected as the FYP Chair.
GREATER FLAGSTAFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | DECEMBER 2021 | VOL 8, ISSUE 1 |
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