The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and its Women’s Council affiliate announced winners the annual ATHENA Awards Thursday.
Dixon Schwabl Founder & Chairman Lauren Dixon received the 35th annual Athena International Award. The award is given annually to a professional female leader who has demonstrated significant achievements in business, community service, and the professional advancement of women.
After a start in television, Dixon launched her own marketing and public relations business which has been one of Fortune's Top 25 Small Companies to Work for in America for 15 consecutive years. She was also cited by the chamber for her lengthy list of board, volunteer, philanthropic and mentorship commitments.
The Athena Young Professional Award was presented to Cicely Strickland-Ruiz, the United Way of Greater Rochester's chief operations officer. The award recognizes emerging leaders in the 30- to 45-year-old range who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession.
Recipients are also recognized for the time and energy they spend to improve the quality of life for others in the community while serving as a role model for young women both personally and professionally. Strickland-Ruiz was recognized for the many board and volunteering roles she takes on and currently services on the Race, Equity, and Justice Initiative Steering Committee.
Also on Thursday, the Chamber announced that Brockport Research Institute received the ATHENA Organizational Award, which 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.
You can find out more information about this year’s Athena Awards here.
