(PHOENIX - Oct. 21) – The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2009 ATHENA Businesswomen of the Year Awards and ATHENA Young Professional Award recipients today at the Chamber’s 22nd Annual ATHENA Award Luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. Barb Dawson, Partner – Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. (Residential Zip Code: 85013), was awarded the 2009 ATHENA Businesswoman of the Year Award in the Private Sector, Connie Phillips, Executive Director – Sojourner Center. (Residential Zip Code: 85381), was awarded the 2009 ATHENA Businesswoman of the Year award in the Public Sector, and Wendy Akbar, Associate – Quarles & Brady LLP (Residential Zip Code: 85255), was awarded the 2009 ATHENA Young Professional Award.

"The ATHENA Awards recognize truly inspiring women who are active in our community, excel in their professions and take the time to reach out and mentor others. To hear their personal stories, you can’t help but admire what they’ve accomplished as well as what they’ve done to inspire others,” said Todd Sanders, president & CEO, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. “These women have showed outstanding leadership and are true role models for the community; the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is honored to be able to recognize these leaders with the ATHENA Award.”

The event, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, marks the 22nd year the Greater Phoenix Chamber has honored Valley businesswomen with the ATHENA Award, named after the Greek goddess of courage and wisdom, and a program of ATHENA International, a foundation dedicated to creating leadership opportunities for women.

Dawson, Phillips, and Akbar were chosen from among eleven other ATHENA finalists, who were selected from a large group of nominations received in August. The following is a list of the 2009 ATHENA finalists:

ATHENA Private Sector finalists:
Linda Minde, Tri-Lite Builders (Residential Zip Code: 85286)
Leslie Motter, American Express (Residential Zip Code: 85266)
Ann Siner, Eco-Chic Consignments, Inc. (Residential Zip Code: 85253)

ATHENA Public Sector finalists:
Sharon Knutson-Felix, 100 Club of Arizona (Residential Zip Code: 85251)
Kimberly McWaters, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (Residential Zip Code: 85310)
Luz Sarmina, Valle del Sol (Residential Zip Code: 85339)

ATHENA Young Professional finalists:
Kristin Garrison Slice, One-Eleven Companies (Residential Zip Code: 85022)
Monica Stigler, Morrison Institute for Public Policy (Residential Zip Code: 85338)

About the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
Representing 3,100 businesses across Metropolitan Phoenix, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is Arizona’s oldest and largest Chamber. The Chamber supports the growth and development of business by offering networking and marketing opportunities, money-saving programs and a voice in government, keeping its members informed, connected and prosperous.

The Chamber enhances members’ success by promoting economic development, entrepreneurship and a connection to the community with local chapters in Anthem, Deer Valley and South Mountain/Laveen.
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