Serving the diverse needs of the Lakeland business community

The Lakeland Chamber Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce dedicated to accelerating both the quality and quantity of economic growth and employment opportunities within the business community.

The Foundation was chartered in 1973 to support Lakeland's growth and has grown into a public charity supporting programs, workshops and trainings that connect entrepreneurs and business owners to the resources they need to sustain, grow and succeed.

workshops & education

Funding the mission...

The ATHENA Awards

Founded more than 30 years ago, ATHENA International is a women's leadership organization that supports, develops and honors women leaders through its programs. ATHENA's flagship program, the ATHENA Leadership Awards® Program, has honored more than 7,000 women leaders from hundreds of cities and eight countries since its inception in 1982.
 
The ATHENA Awards honors Lakeland women who embody the ATHENA International mission to live authentically, learn constantly, build relationships, foster collaboration, act courageously, advocate fiercely, and give back to the community. Join us to honor nominees and recipients and of the 2023 ATHENA Leadership Award, ATHENA Young Professional Award, and the ATHENA Organizational Award.
 
As a program of the Lakeland Chamber Foundation, the ATHENA Awards event also raises funds to support scholarships for the Junior League of Greater Lakeland’s ATHENA-affiliated leadership training programs.

EVENT INFO

ATHENA Leadership Award 
Award Nominees must meet each of the following three criteria:

• Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession 
• Provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community
• Actively assist women in achieving their full leadership potential 

      Past Recipients Include: 

• 2020 - Dr. Angela Falconetti, Ed.D. 
• 2021 - Stacy Campbell-Domineck 
• 2020 - Dr. Martha Santiago, Ed.D.

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award
Young Professional Leadership Nominees are emerging women leaders between 21 and 42 who meet each of the following criteria: 

• Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession
• Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in her community 
• Clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally 

      Past Recipients Include: 

• 2020 - Brenda Ramirez, Esq. 
• 2021 - Lauren Albaum, PhD 
• 2022 - Ashley Bell Barnett 

ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award
Recognizes businesses and organizations that support, develop and honor women leaders. Nominees are businesses or organizations that meet the following criteria:

• Creates an organizational culture that encourages women employees to achieve their full leadership potential
• Gives back to the larger community of women and girls by providing and supporting leadership development opportunities and initiatives

      Past Recipients Include:

• 2020 - The Lunz Group
• 2021 - Junior League of Greater Lakeland
• 2020 - Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine