ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon 2025
The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to a local woman who has achieved the highest level of professional excellence, contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others, and actively assists women/girls in realizing their full potential. Award recipients have included leaders in education, business executives, non-profit founders, and more.
Nominations are sent to ATHENA International, the award presenter, who selects finalists and the recipient. The luncheon on July 18 is held to recognize nominees, honor finalists, and celebrate the award recipient.
Previous ATHENA Leadership Award recipients:
2024: Nicole Robinson Gauthier
2023: Judge Kathleen Hamilton
2022: Natalie Saikowski Goertz
2021: Carol Gooch
2020: Dr. Dana Hoyt
2019: Dr. Marlen Tejeda
2018: Danielle Scheiner
See 2024 event pictures here.
2025 Nominees:
Angela Gentry Rucker, Project Mentor (Conroe ISD)
Rachel Goodlad, Alpha School
Shivani Tripathy Patel, EnFab Inc
Sonya Brazeal, Amazing Window Cleaners
Chastity White, Story Built Homes
Courtney Budra, Montgomery County Food Bank
Shelley Dacus, First Financial Bank
Amanda Anders, Guaranty Bank & Trust
Monica Bomkamp Enia, Education for Tomorrow Alliance
Carrie Watkins, Meals on Wheels Montgomery County
Monette Smith, Pink Poodle PR LLC powered by PR Marketing
Judge Scharlene Valdez, County Court at Law #6
Velvet Dove, Gladd Foundation
Amanda True, The Color Bar
Gayla Lewis, The Color Bar
About Valorie Burton:
Valorie Burton, life strategist and international speaker, is CEO of the Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute. Her life-changing message has an intriguing, research-based emphasis in the pioneering field of applied positive psychology - the study of what happens when things go right with us. Her company provides coaching, coach training, and resilience training and has served clients in all 50 states and 37 countries on six continents. Since 1999, she has written 14 books translated into multiple languages, including Let Go of the Guilt, It's About Time, and Successful Women Think Differently. She has appeared regularly on the TODAY Show, CNN, Dr. Oz, and Essence, and has spoken for hundreds of organizations around the globe. She was named one of the top 60 motivational speakers in America and one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders in the field of personal development. For over 15 years, Valorie's books, speaking engagements, and coaching programs have helped people: - Make major life changes that are exciting and scary at the same time. - Be happier and have more fun, even when life seems routine. - Become strong leaders, navigate office politics, and achieve professional dreams. - Navigate setbacks and disappointments in a way that makes life better, not bitter. - Speak up with confidence rather than settling for less. - Go to sleep at night feeling at peace about decisions. - Conquer emotions that cause procrastination, emotional spending, and self-sabotage. She and her husband Jeff, live on a ranch south of Atlanta with their children.
Event Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
.png)
Mystery Pull Sponsor
Woman of Excellence Sponsors
Centerpiece Sponsors
Photobooth Sponsor
.png)
Dessert Sponsor
.jpg)
In-Kind Sponsors
.jpg)
.jpg)
ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon 2025
Date and Time
Friday Jul 18, 2025
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM CDT
Location
Margaritaville Lake Conroe
600 Margaritaville Pkwy.
Montgomery, TX 77356
White business casual attire is encouraged.
Fees/Admission
The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to a local woman who has achieved the highest level of professional excellence, contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others, and actively assists women/girls in realizing their full potential. Award recipients have included leaders in education, business executives, non-profit founders, and more.
Nominations are sent to ATHENA International, the award presenter, who selects finalists and the recipient. The luncheon on July 18 is held to recognize nominees, honor finalists, and celebrate the award recipient.
Previous ATHENA Leadership Award recipients:
2024: Nicole Robinson Gauthier
2023: Judge Kathleen Hamilton
2022: Natalie Saikowski Goertz
2021: Carol Gooch
2020: Dr. Dana Hoyt
2019: Dr. Marlen Tejeda
2018: Danielle Scheiner
See 2024 event pictures here.
2025 Nominees:
Angela Gentry Rucker, Project Mentor (Conroe ISD)
Rachel Goodlad, Alpha School
Shivani Tripathy Patel, EnFab Inc
Sonya Brazeal, Amazing Window Cleaners
Chastity White, Story Built Homes
Courtney Budra, Montgomery County Food Bank
Shelley Dacus, First Financial Bank
Amanda Anders, Guaranty Bank & Trust
Monica Bomkamp Enia, Education for Tomorrow Alliance
Carrie Watkins, Meals on Wheels Montgomery County
Monette Smith, Pink Poodle PR LLC powered by PR Marketing
Judge Scharlene Valdez, County Court at Law #6
Velvet Dove, Gladd Foundation
Amanda True, The Color Bar
Gayla Lewis, The Color Bar
About Valorie Burton:
Valorie Burton, life strategist and international speaker, is CEO of the Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute. Her life-changing message has an intriguing, research-based emphasis in the pioneering field of applied positive psychology - the study of what happens when things go right with us. Her company provides coaching, coach training, and resilience training and has served clients in all 50 states and 37 countries on six continents. Since 1999, she has written 14 books translated into multiple languages, including Let Go of the Guilt, It's About Time, and Successful Women Think Differently. She has appeared regularly on the TODAY Show, CNN, Dr. Oz, and Essence, and has spoken for hundreds of organizations around the globe. She was named one of the top 60 motivational speakers in America and one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders in the field of personal development. For over 15 years, Valorie's books, speaking engagements, and coaching programs have helped people: - Make major life changes that are exciting and scary at the same time. - Be happier and have more fun, even when life seems routine. - Become strong leaders, navigate office politics, and achieve professional dreams. - Navigate setbacks and disappointments in a way that makes life better, not bitter. - Speak up with confidence rather than settling for less. - Go to sleep at night feeling at peace about decisions. - Conquer emotions that cause procrastination, emotional spending, and self-sabotage. She and her husband Jeff, live on a ranch south of Atlanta with their children.
Event Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Mystery Pull Sponsor
Woman of Excellence Sponsors
Centerpiece Sponsors
Photobooth Sponsor
Dessert Sponsor
In-Kind Sponsors
ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon 2025
Date and Time
Friday Jul 18, 2025
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM CDT
Location
Margaritaville Lake Conroe
600 Margaritaville Pkwy.
Montgomery, TX 77356
White business casual attire is encouraged.
Fees/Admission