ATHENA Champion Leadership Award

The ATHENA Champion Leadership Award recognizes individuals who serve as allies, advocates, and catalysts in promoting women's leadership. This recognition spotlights those who actively pioneer innovative strategies to foster diversity within organizations while providing invaluable support to underrepresented employees in the workplace.

Nominees must meet the following criteria per ATHENA International:

• Demonstrates and implements creative and innovate and systemic solutions into organizations to achieve gender parity.
• Provides valuable service as a sponsor/mentor to underrepresented employees in the workplace.
• Actively assist women in achieving their full leadership potential.

Emerging Business of the Year

Recognizes a business established/opened within the past three (3) years that has achieved significant early success, demonstrated strong growth potential, and positioned itself as a promising leader and innovator in its industry.

Criteria for Consideration: 

• Innovation: Breaks new ground in their industry and sets new benchmarks.
• Business Growth: Indicators like revenue increase, market expansion, and customer growth are vital in assessing a business’ success and sustainability. Also able to demonstrate scalability and potential for future growth.
• Social Impact: This includes sustainable practices, community involvement, and ethical operations.
• Leadership: Strong leadership ensures the business is well-positioned to succeed and innovate.
• Adaptability: Their ability to quickly adapt to changes in the market or industry and resilience in overcoming challenges and seizing new opportunities.

Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award

Recognizes a non-profit organization that has made a significant impact on the community through its programs, services, and dedication to its mission.

Criteria for Consideration:

• Financial Health and Stability: Demonstrates diverse funding sources, long-term planning and effective use of resources
• Community Impact: Measurable results in the past year.
• Leadership: Strong leadership in organization with transparent and clear mission and goals.
• Creativity and Innovation: Implementation of new ideas, initiatives, and/or creative solutions to problems.
• Growth: Demonstrates significant and sustainable growth in programs, services, and organizational reach.

Small Business of the Year

Recognizes a business with 10 or fewer full-time employees that has demonstrated exceptional customer loyalty, a dedicated and engaged team, and visionary leadership committed to sustainable growth and future success.

Criteria for Consideration:

• Sustained Growth and Resilience: Has a clear, strategic vision for continued development, demonstrates consistent growth and the ability to adapt and overcome challenges.
• Innovation in Products, Services, or Process: Introduces creative solutions, improvements, or new offerings that drive business advancement.
• Customer and Staff Engagement: Fosters strong relationships through outstanding service and actively involves employees in the business’s success. 
• Positive Workplace Environment and Culture: Creates a supportive, inclusive, and motivating work environment that attracts and retains talent. 
• Community Impact: Actively contributes to the well-being and vitality of Centre County through involvement and initiatives.

Business Leader of the Year

Recognizes an individual who has expertly guided their organization to exceptional success, enhancing its reputation through operational excellence, innovative programs, and a strong commitment to employee and community engagement.

Criteria for Consideration:

• Company growth and innovation metrics - Demonstrates measurable business growth and a proven track record of innovation in products, services, or operations.
• Leadership style and impact - Evaluates how the leader’s personal leadership approach—whether collaborative, visionary, transformational, etc.—has directly influenced the success and culture of the organization. This includes their ability to inspire, empower, and guide their team toward achieving major goals.
• Industry-specific achievements - Highlights notable accomplishments within their industry that sets their business apart from competitors and elevates industry standards.
• Community Involvement - Recognizes the leader’s active participation in civic, charitable, and community activities beyond their business interests. This could include nonprofit work, economic development efforts, mentorship programs, and initiatives that strengthen the broader community.
• Employee retention and satisfaction - Fosters a positive work environment with high employee retention rates and strong workforce satisfaction.

Business of the Year

Recognizes an outstanding business that aligns with the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County’s mission to promote the well-being, growth of commerce, business, and industry while striving to maintain a high quality of life. This business has had a significant positive impact on Centre County within the past year.

Criteria for Consideration:

They excel in one or all of these categories-

• Invest in Center County – actively invests resources such as capital, jobs, infrastructure or partnerships into Centre County. It could include physical expansions, local hiring initiatives, sponsorships, or community development projects.
• Leader in the community – Sets a positive example, supports local initiatives, encourages employees to be involved in the community.
• Innovative workforce – Fosters innovation among its employees including training programs, career development opportunities, creative approaches to employee engagement that help drive organizational success
• Aide in economic growth - Their operations, expansions, partnerships, or initiatives create new opportunities, support other businesses, and drive growth across industries within the region.
• Financial stability - strong financial health, responsible growth, and long-term sustainability. Through sound financial practices, they provide steady employment, and serve as a model of fiscal stewardship within the business community.

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Enter required value ATHENA Champion Leadership Award Emerging Business of the Year Non-Profit Organization of the Year Small Business of the Year Business Leader of the Year Business of the Year

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