2007
ATHENA Award® Winner
Congratulations to the winner of our
2008 ATHENA Award®, Gigi Fansler.
Pictured: Shari Buckellew, Amy Mobley, Marilyn Miglin and ATHENA Winner
Gigi Fansler
Vice
President of Lincoln College-Normal, Gigi exemplifies leadership and is an
active member of our community. She received her Ph.D. in Educational
Administration and Foundations, Higher Education, and M.A. in Spanish
linguistics, and B.A. in Psychology/Spanish from Illinois State
University.
Other professional experiences include
serving as Illinois State University's Director of Diversity and
Affirmative Action, where she continues to serve as an adjunct faculty
member in the College of Education, and an academic counselor for at-risk
students. Her initiative and action led to the formation of “Partnership
for Learning,” a team of educators who conduct focus groups throughout the
area in a “needs assessment” activity to best learn how our community
might be enhanced and grow intellectually for the betterment of all
citizens.
Gigi serves on The Baby Fold Board of
Directors, the YWCA Board, and the Cultural Arts District Education
Advisory Board. She is also involved in the Bloomington Rotary Club and
McLean County Community Compact. Through her training in multi-cultural
issues, she has done curriculum reviews for Project Oz, served as a
disaster exercise volunteer for the Red Cross, worked with at-risk youth
through YouthBuild, assisted those at Clare House, and worked as a
fund-raiser for St. Jude’s. Gigi keeps grounded in her life through her
husband, Ken and two children.
The ATHENA Award®
Program
Originated in Lansing, Michigan in 1980, the ATHENA
Award® Program was started when Martha Mayhood Mertz, owner of Mayhood/Mertz
Realtors was asked to serve on the Board of Directors of the Lansing
regional Chamber of Commerce. Finding herself to be the only working woman
serving on the Board, she also discovered that in the 75 years of
presenting community awards, her Chamber had only once honored a woman.
She recognized that, “The world was changing, and the
Chamber boardroom did not reflect the reality of the world outside.” She
realized the time had come to bring into focus the many outstanding
professional and business women in the community and to incorporate them
into leadership positions in the Chamber.
The first ATHENA Award® was presented in 1982.
Since then, over 5,000 awards have been presented in over 500 communities
in the United States, Canada, China, Greece, Russia, the United Arab
Emirates and the United Kingdom. The ATHENA Award® Program is established
through local Chambers of Commerce in partnership with our national and
regional underwriters, local businesses, or individual sponsors.
Nominations for this award are solicited from throughout the community.
The Criteria:
ATHENA Award® Recipients are individuals who
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Demonstrated excellence,
creativity and initiative in their business or profession.
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Provide valuable service by
contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others
in the community.
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Actively assist women in realizing
their full leadership potential.
The Benefits:
Involvement with the ATHENA Award® Program benefits your
organization and your community.
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Your organization and community provide an
environment where women's accomplishments and contributions are valued.
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Recognizing outstanding individuals in your
community clearly defines role models for others to emulate.
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Affiliation with an international network of women
and men who work together to create leadership opportunities for women,
encourages the empowerment of women leaders.
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Sizable attendance at award events by community and
business leaders promotes positive relations
and networking opportunities
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Substantial media
coverage results in exposure for sponsoring businesses and
organizations.
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