Leading the Way: ATHENA Orlando Women's Leadership

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Leading the Way: ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership

by Kate Slentz

ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership Board of Directors: Melanie DiVirgilio, VP of recruitment; Suzi Gaiser, VP of alumni relations; Karen Keene, president; Hope Newsome, secretary and general counsel; and Stephanie Gardner, treasurer

I had the privilege of participating in ATHENA NextGen, the eightmonth women’s leadership program piloted right here in Orlando. The program is just one of many created as part of ATHENA International, a global, non-profit organization founded by Martha Mayhood Mertz, a successful entrepreneur and business leader who wrote a book about the unique characteristics of women leaders entitled, Becoming ATHENA: Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership.

All the programs are modeled around these eight principles, including ATHENA NextGen, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. I asked the ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership board some questions about the program, its impact, and about their own experiences, as they lead the way for current and future ATHENA NextGen classes.

KAREN KEENE, co-founder and president of ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership, Inc.

How did ATHENA NextGen get started?

Like so many things, ATHENA OrlandoWomen’s Leadership evolved from thevision of a group of women who cametogether and dared to dream. In 2012, weheld a leadership luncheon for 350 establishedwomen leaders and their up-andcomingcounterparts. One year later, thenumber of attendees nearly doubled.

Following the luncheon events, we surveyedattendees who told us the activitythey enjoyed most were the roundtablediscussions. Prominent women leaderssteered the dialogue about ATHENA’seight leadership principles, from fosteringcollaboration to building relationships andadvocating fiercely. However, 45 minutesduring lunch wasn’t enough time for adeeper dive. Attendees were asking for

more. So, we put our heads together andpiloted the ATHENA NextGen programfor professional women to help them realizetheir full leadership potential.

Each year the class is a mix of millennials,as well as women re-entering theworkforce after being stay-at-home momsor entrepreneurs who decided to leave corporateAmerica to start their own businesses.We intentionally select a diversegroup of women, often representing asmany as 16 different industries, who learnand grow with one another.

In five years of the program, how has it grown?

Back in November, we celebrated our fifthanniversary. To date, 265 women leadershave successfully completed the program.Also, we have fully funded a $100,000endowed scholarship at UCF to assistfemale graduate students in their pursuitof their educational goals.

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Each year we accept 55 women into theeight-month program. Due to its popularity,the demand is increasing, and we’ve seenmore than 100 applicants per year. Additionally,the pilot program launched inOrlando is now being replicated in othercities across the country, including Melbourne.

What are the overall goals of the program? What kind of impact is the program making on members?

ATHENA NextGen participants haveexclusive access to a unique learningforum facilitated by prominent businesswomen who are passionate about mentoringthe next generation of rising stars.Imagine receiving pearls of wisdom fromSandy Hostetter, Diana Bolivar, AnnettaWilson, Christi Ashby, Kate Slentz andMaryann Barry in an interactive “master’sclass” setting. Guest speaker discussion

topics highlight ATHENA’s eight leadership principles:

1 Live Authentically

2 Learn Constantly

3 Advocate Fiercely

4 Act Courageously

5 Foster Collaboration

6 Build Relationships

7 Give Back

8 Celebrate

Some alumnae have described their experience as life-changing. Women are building their confidence to advocate on behalf of themselves and those they serve. Whether it’s for promotions, recognition or career changes, they’re finding their voice. They’re articulating their value to team members and customers. And they’re being asked to serve on corporate

and community boards.

Anything new or different on the horizon?

We just announced an exciting partnershipwith the Heart of Florida United Wayto offer the Meredith E. Level Fellows Programfor emerging women leaders whodesire a seat on Women United’s steeringcommittee. Candidates will improve upontheir knowledge of the community andthe challenges we face in the areas of education,health, financial stability and basicneeds.

Also for 2019, we’re adding new substantiveprogramming for alumnae. We’llhost a series of roundtable conversationsand training programs that address a varietyof issues including: negotiation skills,wellness and care for aging parents, positioningfor corporate boards and publicpolicy.

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STEPHANIE GARDNER, of RSM US LLP and ATHENA Orlando Treasurer, and SUZI GAISER, of Automattic and ATHENA Orlando VP of Alumni Relations

What have you gained from ATHENA NextGen?

STEPHANIE: “I am inspired by ATHENANextGen. So many stories were shared by

the facilitators and the members about overcoming difficult situations or forging a path other than the one you planned on. I learned there isn’t one path to your goal. Achieving our goals is a journey and sometimes you have to take a couple of detours.”

SUZI: “I’ve gained so much from ATHENA NextGen. The program has provided me with the self-confidence to change careers,

the support of life-long friendships, andthe ability to proactively impact others inthe community.”

Why did you decide to stay involved in the program?

STEPHANIE: “As you progress in yourcareer, you start to think about your legacy.How will you leave your organization betterthan when you joined it? As part of mylegacy, I want to support women leaders.Going through the ATHENA NextGenprogram, I saw the impact it has on ourcommunity. The women who go throughthe program are better leaders and have asupport network to help them reach theirgoals. I knew I wanted to be part of that!”

SUZI: “I was always energized after everyinteraction with my ATHENA family. Ifelt understood, heard, and had the confidenceto take on any challenge.”

What kinds of things does the board do to keep members and alumnae engaged?

STEPHANIE: “ATHENA NextGen is onlythe beginning. We host several socialseach year to keep members and alumnaeengaged. The socials are a great chance tocatch up with your classmates and makenew connections!”

SUZI: “The board holds multiple eventsthroughout the year. Many of the events aresocial and help with professional development.Some have a charitable impact onthe community because we raise moneyfor organizations such as the AmericanRed Cross to aid those impacted by recenthurricanes.”

ATHENA NextGen is currently accepting applications for the 2019 class. Applications are due in March and the class begins in May. Visit AthenaLeadershipOrlando.com to learn more or call 407-718-1562.

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