Eight women have been named as finalists for the 27th Girls Inc. ATHENA Award, which is presented annually to someone who empowers women, strives to better the community, and has achieved excellence in their profession.
The award honors someone within the community “who has generously assisted women in attaining their full leadership potential; personifies the highest level of professional excellence; and has devoted time and energy to the community in a meaningful way,” according to a release.
There were 28 nominations this year. Due to the growing interest and number of nominees annually, the judging process is changing from past years. Nominations were asked to complete a questionnaire that details their accomplishments and impact. Responses will be sent to an outside panel, who selected eight finalists.
The finalists’ responses will now be reviewed by a separate panel to select the ATHENA award recipient. Members of both panels are from outside the community and have no knowledge — including names — of the nominees other than the information provided by the nominee.
The 2025 Nominees are:
- Kelsey Morgan Jarboe — Entrepreneur and Realtor, Team Impact RE/MAX
- Samantha Taylor-Kaai — Chief Operating Officer, Audubon Area Community Services
- Dr. Laura Murphy — Instructional Coach, Daviess County Public Schools
- Vicki Chandler Quisenberry — Retired Executive Director, Foundation for Daviess County Public Schools — Owner, The JDQ Building
- Allyson Sanders — Training Specialist, Multi-Company; Co-Owner, The Party Space Place and Something Borrowed Owensboro
- Beth Steele — Chief Operating Officer, Owensboro Health
- Jennifer Vogel — Owner and Safety Director, The Stewart Group
- Paula Yevincy — President and CEO, United Way of the Ohio Valley
In addition to the ATHENA Award, the luncheon will acknowledge someone posthumously with the Legacy Award for their work in advancing women and related issues.
The award program and luncheon are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on March 19 at the Owensboro Convention Center. The luncheon is sponsored by German American Bank and Owensboro Health. Single tickets and tables are available by calling Girls Inc. at 270-684-7833.
ATHENA International was founded in 1982 as a nonprofit seeking to support, develop, and honor women leaders. Locally, in 1999 Girls Inc. and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce “began a focused and collaborative effort, embracing the ATHENA vision to recognize and celebrate not only the contributions of women but more importantly those individuals who opened doors and enabled other women to be self-sufficient and to reach their full potential,” according to a release.
They began giving out an annual ATHENA award that year. In 2017, the annual award program expanded its reach to include the Legacy Award, which posthumously honors individuals who had that same profound impact on the community and women. Girls Inc. partners with the Owensboro Chapter of AAUW in naming the Legacy Award recipient.
