Athena winners surprised

A retired teacher who avidly volunteers, a hospital marketer, a student robotics captain and a 55-year advocate of a youth organization are among this year’s honorees at a re-imagined event.

Girls Inc. of Wayne County, Wayne Bank and IU East have announced the 2025 recipients of the Athena Leadership Awards and Girls Inc. honors.

This year, Girls Inc. staff began coordinating Wayne County’s version of the national awards program that the bank and university initiated and continue to sponsor.

The Aug. 22 dinner now includes components of Girls Inc.’s previous Signature Event that honored adults and youth demonstrating the organization’s Strong, Smart and Bold values.

This year’s celebration has moved to a larger venue at Wayne County Fairgrounds.

Winners

Athena Leadership Award: Committee members say Ann Herrman was selected as an outstanding leader who not only excels in her field and gives back to the community but also actively supports and uplifts other women in reaching their leadership potential.

The Athena recognition program aims to inspire and empower women to lead with confidence and purpose. Many of her former Richmond High School students credit her as their encouraging mentor.

Herrman is well known for her unwavering service to many nonprofits in Wayne County, including Richmond Rose Garden, Hayes Arboretum, Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County and Cardinal Greenway. She coordinates the garden’s 1stBLOOM&GLOW fundraiser and is co-chair for BGCWC’s Carla Stidham Christmas Shop that helped 553 youth give more than 2,000 gifts last year.

Athena Young Professional: This award recognizes female leaders 35 or younger who make a meaningful impact through their work, creativity and community involvement.

Megan Lamb serves on numerous boards, bringing her expertise to organizations that benefit from her vision and commitment. She studied business administration and management at Indiana Wesleyan.

She’s worked as a marketing specialist at Reid Health for four years and has been a driving force behind the success of impactful fundraisers such as Kaleidoscope for cancer care and prevention, and ReidRide to provide kids with shoes.

Girls Inc. Girl of the Year: Josephine Wessel-McCoy has shown great leadership skills, competing on and then serving as a team captain on Girls Inc.’s robotics team.

Jo continues to impress the staff who nominated her for kindness, humor and mentorship of younger girls. Her desire to advocate for others led her to attend the Girls Inc. Advocacy Day at the statehouse.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary Jo Clark has served Girls Inc. for more than 55 years as a volunteer, supporter, board member and more. She was chosen as Wayne County’s first Athena recipient in 2014.

More than 7,000 women leaders from hundreds of cities and eight countries have been honored since the Athena awards’ inception in 1982.

Nominations are sought throughout the community and recipients are selected by a diverse group of community leaders.

Recipients exemplify Athena’s Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership: Live authentically, learn constantly, build relationships, foster collaboration, act courageously, advocate fiercely, give back, and celebrate.