The Ontario County Chamber of Commerce has announced the honorees for the 2026 ATHENA Awards.
The awards recognize leaders who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their professional lives, while actively contributing to the success of women in our community.
This year marks the 41st anniversary of honoring Ontario County leaders who exemplify the ATHENA values and demonstrate a legacy of leadership that inspires professional excellence and meaningful community engagement.
The recipients will be announced in November.
Who are the Ontario County ATHENA Award honorees?
Nominees for the ATHENA Leadership Award exemplify the highest level of professional excellence and exceptional leadership. They contribute time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and actively mentor others, particularly women, in realizing their full potential.
This year’s honorees are:
Arlene Eddington, retired teacher and co-founder of Geneva Breathes.
Jennifer Carlson, president and CEO of FLACRA.
Johnelle Keck, director of medical/surgical nursing at University of Rochester Medicine Thompson Health.
Kate Ott, director of Ontario County Public Health.
Jacqueline Tiermini, director of Finger Lakes MOSAIC Collective and chair of the humanities department at Finger Lakes Community College.
Kimberle Ward, coordinator of adult education at Finger Lakes Community College.
Who are the Ontario County ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award honorees?
Nominees demonstrate the same qualities as those in the ATHENA Award honor, but they are 45 and younger.
Here are the honorees:
Samantha Boccacino, director of athletics at Finger Lakes Community College.
Alexa Dow Carroll, director of nursing (intensive care unit, observation and diagnostic imaging) at University of Rochester Medicine Thompson Health.
Caitlin Langmead, principal at MMB+Co.
Megan Webster, district manager at Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District.
When will the ATHENA Award recipients be announced?
The honorees will be celebrated and the recipients announced at an awards dinner on Nov. 5 at Finger Lakes Community College, 3325 Marvin Sands Drive.
Tickets for the dinner will go on sale Aug. 14.
For details, visit www.onchamber.com/athena.
For more information about the honorees, follow onchamber on Facebook and LinkedIn.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Ontario County Chamber announces ATHENA Award honorees
Reporting by Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, USA TODAY NETWORK / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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By Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
