2025 ATHENA Nominees Announced

March 13, 2025

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator are proud and honored to announce the 33 exceptional nominees for the 32nd annual ATHENA Award dinner.

The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment: women who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way and open doors so that others may follow in their path.

The 2025 ATHENA Award Dinner kicks off with a Cocktail Reception at 5:15 p.m., with dinner and the program to follow, Thursday, May 15, at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield. The cost is $100 per person. Register and learn about partnership opportunities for this event here.

Congratulations to our 2025 Nominees:

Amanda Archer
Youngstown Market Director, Chase
JPMorganChase

Paula Baco
Director
Trumbull Career & Technical Center

Denise Glinatsis Bayer
Vice President, Senior Trust Officer
Premier Bank

Andrea Mahone Blackmon
Chief Executive Officer
Just in Time Employment Agency & Andrea Mahone Foundation

Mallory Capretta, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley

Sarah Chill
Education Program Director
Ursuline Sisters Mission

Melissa Crown
Chief Operating Officer
Guidelight Financial Group

Alexandra DeVengencie-Bush
Human Resource & Risk Management Director
Trumbull County Board of Commissioners

Rachael Dobson
Director
The Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University

Dionne Dowdy-Lacey
Executive Director
United Returning Citizens

Tery Ely
Executive Director
Veterans’ Outreach

Jennifer Frank
Professor of Fashion Merchandising
Youngstown State University

Heather Fronk
President
Clothed In Strength

Charlotte Gardiner, DNP, RN, MBA
President, Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital
Mercy Health

Deborah Grinstein
Community Development New Business Trust Officer
Farmers Trust Company

Darlene Jones
Chief Executive Officer
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Northeast Ohio District Council

Kristen Kotheimer, LCSW, LISW-S
Licensed Independent Social Worker; Supervising Social Worker; School and Family Solutions Coordinator for PCM
PsyCare

Tifinie LaComb
Vice President – Regional Banking Relationship
Huntington Bank

Traci Miller
Owner/President
Color 3 Embroidery

Ashley Morrow
Human Resources/Payroll/Grants/Safety
Livi Steel, Inc.

Morgan O’Brien
Director of Operations
Cornerstone Caregiving

LeeAnn Oros
Founder/Owner/Professional Makeup Artist
Permanent Beauty by LeeAnn

Karlene Pappada
Welcome Center Manager/CNA Instructor/Case Manager Supervisor
Flying HIGH Inc.

Pamela Ramsey
Clinical Director
Community Corrections Association, Inc.

Nicole Ranttila, Psy.D
Owner/Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Heather Sahli
General Manager
Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Beth Scheller
President/Chief Executive Officer
YMCA of Youngstown

Stephanie Shapiro
Managing Partner/Owner
Sherman Creative

Trinette Simon
Director, Inclusion & Equity
Cohen & Co

Patricia Summers
Founder, President & CEO
Youngstown Blue Coats

Dr. Vasilia Vamvakis
Family Physician
Mercy Health

Vicki Vicars
Vice President of Operations
Thrive Mahoning Valley

Dr. Vanessa Jones Washington
Chief Executive Officer
New Beginnings Residential Treatment Center

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