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ATHENA Awards honor local women and organizations

(L-R) : Kimberly Jones of Butler/Till; Heidi Macpherson of The College at Brockport and Julie Camardo of Zweigle's.
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
(L-R) : Kimberly Jones of Butler/Till; Heidi Macpherson of The College at Brockport and Julie Camardo of Zweigle's.

The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and its Women’s Council affiliate held the annual ATHENA Awards Thursday evening at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

Heidi Macpherson, the president of The College at Brockport, received the 34th annual ATHENA International Award.

That award is given annually to a professional female leader who has demonstrated significant achievements in business, community service, and the professional advancement of women. Macpherson is the first woman to hold the president's role at Brockport.

Julie Camardo, Zweigle’s Owner and CEO received the sixth annual ATHENA Young Professional Award, and Butler/Till Media Services took home the third annual ATHENA Organizational Award.

The ATHENA Young Professional Award recognizes emerging leaders in the 30 to 45 year old range who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession.  Recipients also provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life of others in the community while serving as a role model for young women both personally and professionally.

The ATHENA Organizational Award goes to a woman-owned or woman-led business or organization that creates a culture encouraging women employees to achieve their full leadership potential and supports leadership development opportunities for women and girls in the community.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.