Emerging women leaders in greater Akron will have the opportunity to learn from female mentors and trailblazers at the ATHENA International Women’s Leadership Day Luncheon Sept. 18. Now in its fourth year, the event encourages mentoring and relationship-building among area women.
Established women leaders in the community are encouraged to invite an emerging woman leader to be their guest at the luncheon. Attendees will hear a keynote address from The University of Akron Vice President and Chief of Staff Candace Campbell Jackson. Campbell Jackson was selected as the 2012 Akron ATHENA Leadership Award recipient for her ingenuity and accomplishments at The University of Akron, where she leverages her legal and nonprofit leadership expertise.
Event proceeds will benefit the Women’s Endowment Fund. An affiliate of Akron Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, the fund improves the quality of life for women and girls in Summit County and encourages philanthropy among them.
“The Women’s Endowment Fund welcomes the opportunity to convene women leaders at the ATHENA event to discuss unique leadership challenges and opportunities,” said fund President Tracy Carter. “The fund partnered with women representing diverse interests to plan this event, which will strengthen the potential and power of women leaders in the Akron region.”
The ATHENA International Women’s Leadership Day Luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Portage Country Club, 240 N. Portage Path in Akron. Tickets to the event are $80 ($10 tax deductible) and include admission for one established and one emerging woman leader. Additional emerging leader tickets may be purchased for $40 ($5 tax deductible).
For reservations, contact Diane Bray at (330) 571-9461. Or, to pay by credit card, call Akron Community Foundation at (330) 376-8522.
Major sponsors of the event include CFBank, Inside Business Magazine and The J.M. Smucker Company. Sponsorships are still available; for information, contact Katie Smucker at (330) 671-5468 or Megann Eberhart at (330) 237-1262.
Founded in 1982, ATHENA International is known for supporting, honoring and developing women leaders and recognizing leadership initiatives among women. Women’s Leadership Day was developed to encourage women leaders to extend a hand to one another. The nonprofit organization is headquartered in Chicago and is well-known for its award programs that honor women leaders in more than 250 locations throughout five countries. For more information, visit www.athenainternational.org.
The Women’s Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation was established in 1993 as a permanent endowment committed to encouraging the advancement of Summit County women and girls. To date, the fund has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to improve the quality of life of women and girls. Contributions of any amount are welcome and can be sent to the Women’s Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation, 345 W. Cedar St., Akron, Ohio, 44307. For information, call (330) 376-8522 or visit www.akroncommunityfdn.org/wef.
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