Lakeland Chamber Announces 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award Finalists

​Following a rigorous application process, the Lakeland Chamber is pleased to announce finalists for the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Awards, recognizing professional excellence, service to community and leadership development.
 
Founded more than 30 years ago, ATHENA International has honored more than 7,000 women leaders from hundreds of cities and eight countries. The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is a licensed ATHENA Award Community.
 
The 2025 ATHENA Awards Finalists demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their businesses or professions; provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community; and actively assist women in achieving their full leadership potential.

2025 ATHENA Leadership Award Finalists:
Blair Allen, Public Defender for Florida's 10th Judicial Circuit
Olive Gaye, GenCare Resources
Patricia Uiterwyk, Venue Salon & Spa
 
2025 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award Finalists:
Ashley Gibson Barnett, Nicholas and Ashley Barnett Foundation
Kelsey Jaffer, United Way of Central Florida
Christin Strawbridge, Catapult Lakeland

Finalists will be honored and recipients announced at the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Awards Luncheon Presented By Orlando Health on October 8, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Haus 820. The keynote speaker will be Kourtney Sanchez, Chief Impact Officer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For additional information, including past ATHENA Award recipients and event registration, please visit https://www.lakelandchamber.com/athena-awards.html.

Tickets to this year's luncheon are available on our website: ​bit.ly/46b3OWj