ATHENA Award

The Women’s Fund ATHENA Award is a lifetime achievement award. The Award’s mission is to recognize and honor St. Cloud area women who have achieved excellence in their careers and who inspire others.
ATHENA Award recipients are women who, over time, meet the following 3 criteria:

  • Demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession.
  • Provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the lives of others in the community.
  • Actively assists women in realizing their full leadership potential.

    Do you have an inspiring woman in your life who should be recognized for her involvement and accomplishments?

The ATHENA Award is sponsored by

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Past Recipients

  • 2023 - Michelle Pape
  • 2022 - Geri Bechtold
  • 2021 - Debra Leigh
  • 2020 - Dorraine Larison
  • 2019 - Bernie Perryman
  • 2018 - Tarryl Clark
  • 2017 - Linda Eich DesJardins
  • 2016 - Lynn Grewing
  • 2015 - Ann Cofell
  • 2014 - Pat Welter
  • 2013 - Maxine Barnett
  • 2012 - Molly Renslow
  • 2011- Cindy Faye Johnson
  • 2010 - Elaine Bauerly
  • 2009 - Jan Bensen
  • 2008 - Patt Adair
  • 2005 - Joan Volkmuth
  • 2004 - Barb Carlson
  • 2003 - Betty Schnettler
  • 2002 - Sandy Neutzling
  • 2001 - Marj Hawkins
  • 2000 - Colette Carlson
  • 1999 - Patti Gartland
  • 1998 - Sonja Sorensen Craig
  • 1997 - Connie Cross
  • 1996 - Cheryl Lightle
  • 1995 - Dorothy Simpson
  • 1994 - Diana Murphy-Podawiltz
  • 1993 - Diane Gohman
  • 1992 - Nancy Fischer
  • 1991 - Ann Thelen
  • 1990 - Peg Meyer
  • 1989 - Colman O’Connell
  • 1988 - Susan Mackert

Recent Honorees

Since 2004, Michelle has been the Founder and Owner of Next Monday. Next Monday is an executive coaching company that focuses on personal and professional growth. Michelle says the goal of Next Monday is, “to create a safe, trusting place where people feel valued and uplifted for being the unique person that God created them to be. I want each person to know that they belong, that they are enough, that they are perfectly imperfect, similar yet different, and that women can be in community together building up one another.”
 
With a background in sales and marketing, Michelle started her career selling products at home parties and later went on to accept an entry level marketing position at one of Minnesota’s largest fish wholesalers. Over the next few years, she moved up through the company and went on to lead their sales and marketing team. After 15 years, Michelle realized that she wanted to become a professional coach and she started Next Monday, “because no one starts something new on Tuesday or Friday, right?” says Michelle.
 
Along with her work at Next Monday, Michelle is also a philanthropist. Notably she’s served as a Board Member on the Capital Development Project Committee for the YMCA.
 
Tara Gronhovd, Owner of Align Strategy nominated Michelle for the ATHENA award. She says when Michelle Pape believes in something, she’s all in.
 
“With the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA, Michelle was a board member who passionately believed in the Y’s ability to expand its vision beyond the status quo it had become. She worked tirelessly and stepped out of her comfort zone to become one of the lead fundraisers for the campaign that helped to build our new YMCA…In addition to her work with worthy causes, Michelle is thoughtful about continuing to support women well into the future.”

Geri BechtoldAn ambassador for youth, a mentor to young women, and a woman who is described by her peers as being the heart and soul of the nonprofit to which she’s dedicated her life’s work, Geri Bechtold was selected as the 2022 ATHENA Award recipient.

Currently, Geri is the Vice President of Operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, she started at the Clubs part-time more than 30 years ago and since turned it into her career. She started out as a program manager for the Kennedy location KIDSTOP in the 90s. Later she went on to create the Junior Volunteer Leadership program to help give teens leadership opportunities in her K-6 program. She also launched the St. Joseph Community Evening Outreach Program which helped provide youth a safe place to gather, all while the community was hurting after the kidnapping of Jacob Wetterling. Along with her work at the Boys & Girls Clubs, Geri also supports and partners with the United Way of Central Minnesota on their youth education programs as well as some of the Central Minnesota area school districts. Right now, she is working to launch a program in area schools that will help students who have lost credits during the pandemic, earn them. Geri is also working in the St. Cloud school district to support a program designed to decrease the early learning education gaps among children.

Debra LeighFive, six, seven, eight…Debra Leigh, who has dedicated her career to the performing and visual arts, anti-racism training, leadership development of women, international education and prioritizing the success for under-represented students is the recipient of 2021’s ATHENA Award. Debra is passionate about supporting education initiatives and building a more vibrant community through inspiring others in achieving excellence both professionally and within their personal lives. Most recently, Debra has chaired the Board of Directors for the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. She’s also been a member of the Central Minnesota Arts Board, Council on Black Minnesotans, Leaders of Today and Tomorrow, Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing and Training and Multicultural Children’s Art Connection, among numerous others.

Dorrie_Larison_HeadshotBorn and raised in St. Cloud, Dorrie’s roots prioritized community involvement, particularly developing opportunities for women to thrive. Dorrie is a partner at the law firm of Lathrop GPM. Dorrie has actively supported numerous community organizations throughout her career. Along with her longstanding service to the Community Foundation and its Women’s Fund, Dorrie is also involved with the Stearns History Museum, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, and the Hennepin Theatre Trust. Dorrie has served in several leadership positions within the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Law Section and is also a member of the Lathrop GPM Women’s Initiative Network.