Berenato, who will focus on “Having It All But Changing the Rules,” is a motivational speaker and color analyst for the American Sports Network, providing game-day commentary and insight for women’s basketball games. She was the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Pittsburgh from 2003-2013, taking the team that had the all-time worst record in the Big East Conference to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament in just five years. Berenato was also head coach at the Georgia Institute of Technology from 1989-2003, leading the women’s team to 223 victories. The mother of five had a 100 percent graduation rate amongst her student athletes who completed their eligibility.

The Valley’s Athena Award program, recognized by the Athena International as one of the top five largest in the U.S., honors area business and professional women who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen career, provided leadership in the community and mentored or contributed to the growth of other professional women. 

Also during the dinner, the recipient of the $1,500 Athena Scholarship, created in 2007 through a partnership with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, will be announced. The scholarship fund, a component fund of the CFMV, will further the goals of the Athena mission and promote education. The recipient of the Athena Scholarship has demonstrated initiative and excellence in her educational or work pursuits, a proven record of community involvement and service and commitment to, and experience in, mentoring others.

For the fourth year, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will also present additional scholarships in the amount of $1,250 each to two additional scholarship applicants.

The event opens with a cocktail reception (cash bar) at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner and program at 6:15 p.m. Cost of the dinner is $70 per person. Invitations will be mailed in mid-April. Reservations are required by May 13 by contacting Amy Young at (330) 744-2131 ext. 12; by email at Amy@regionalchamber.com, or by accessing the events calendar on the Regional Chamber website: www.regionalchamber.com.

The Athena Award nominees for 2016 are:

Connie Bobby

V.P. Treasury Management Officer

Huntington Bank

Atty. Karen Bovard

Johnson & Johnson Law Office

Stacie Butler

Head Golf Professional, North Course

Mill Creek MetroParks Golf Courses

Kathy Cook

President

St. Joseph Warren Hospital, Mercy Health

Monica Craven

Executive Director

Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley

Sharon DeFrances

Managing Director, Private Client Services

Talmer Bank and Trust

Angela DiVito-McClellan

Executive Director

Coalition for a Drug-Free Mahoning County

Bonnie Dodge

Pinnacle & Platinum Premier Team Leader

Perfectly Posh Independent Consultant

Sarah Hadley

Executive Director

Senior Independence

Debbie Horvath

Volunteer Coordinator

Southern Care Hospice

Rebecca Keck

Executive Director

SMARTS (Students Motivated by the Arts)

Susan Krawchyk

Executive Director

Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission

Diana McDonald

President

Mahoning County Medical Society Alliance

Dr. Meredythe "Mimi" McNally

Board Certified Gastroenterologist & Internal Medicine

Salem Regional Medical Center

Nina Melfi

Assistant Vice President

KeyBank

 

Sarra Mohn

Partner

Jet Creative

Kathryn Orr Scheel

President

Silcox Dental Supply

Gina Pastella

Executive Vice President, Operations

VEC, Inc.

Erica Richley

Special Education Director

Summit Academy Management

Gail Riess

Executive Director

Gateways To Better Living

Kenya Roberts-Howard

Executive Director

YWCA Warren

Barbara Rombach

Director, Surgical & Specialty Offices

Mercy Health Physicians Youngstown