2009 Athena Award Winner
The 2009 Athena Award was presented to Colette Berge, Interim Vice President for Student Services at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs.
Colette Berge oversees the support and development of over 12,000 students at four Colorado Springs Campuses and via distance learning. She has continually provided opportunities for development of women in higher education for over 30 years. As the previous Student Government advisor, Colette Berge was instrumental in bringing Safe Zone and Stop the Hate Programs to Pikes Peak Community College. As Director of Campus Life, she brought new programs to empower women in the classroom and beyond. While serving as Pikes Peak Community College Dean, she supported her students in getting through disruptive situations and back to school. Her passion is focusing on the needs of students in support of their overall success as students and as contributing members of society.
Colette Berge is first and foremost an educator, and known by her peers as the fiercest advocate for women and leadership you would ever encounter. What truly distinguishes her is her tireless energy and unwavering commitment to helping others reach their full potential.
"We are proud to add Colette Berge to The Chamber's roster of outstanding community leaders as the 2009 Athena Winner," says Chamber President and C.E.O. David Csintyan. "She has influenced and touched the lives of literally thousands of students in her more than 20 years at Pikes Peak Community College, and it is an honor for us to be able to recognize her service."
Other nominees this year were:
Rebecca Bumgarner
Security Service Federal Credit Union
Kitty Clemens
Manitou Springs Economic Development Council
Ann Giambalvo
American National Bank
Maile Gray
Drive Smart Colorado Springs
Tiffany Lachnidt
The Distinctive Group
Carol Pennica
Pennica Financial Group
Andrea Reeves
Sign Language Network
Rebecca Robles
University of Phoenix
The ATHENA Award is given to a woman community leader who best exemplifies three factors: mentoring -- assisting women in reaching their full leadership potential -- business accomplishment and community service. Five confidential judges score each nominee. Results go to the Chamber and the scores are blind-calculated to determine the ATHENA recipient.
More than 5000 awards have been presented since the program's inception in 1982. ATHENA Awards are presented in over 500 communities in the United States, Canada, China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and most recently the United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Award seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.
We would like to thank this year's sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor:
The Gazette
Media Sponsor:
NEWS FIRST 5/30
Keynote Sponsor:
US Bank
Athena Award Sponsor:
Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado
Gold Sponsor:
Walmart
Silver Sponsors:
PINNACOL Assurance
Bronze Sponsors:
Chase Bank
Comcast
OfficeScapes
Kaiser Permanente
Former Athena Award winners
2008 Martha Barton
President & Chief Executive Officer of Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care
Barton lead the small non-profit organization which had a staff of 20, a handful of volunteers, six beds and a quarter million dollar budget when she started to a national leadership role in hospice care. Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care is now one of the largest hospice organizations in Colorado with a $15 million dollar annual budget, caring for 200 patients a day.
2007 Mary Lou Makepeace
Executive Director, Gay and Lesbian Fund
Mary Lou Makepeace joined the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado as executive director in December 2003. In this role, she oversees the fund's programs, builds alliances with Colorado communities and other nonprofits, and directs the fund's staff and policy.
2006 CJ Moore
Public Affairs Director, Kaiser Permanente
C.J. is the Public Affairs Director for Kaiser Permanente in Colorado Springs. She is responsible for media and community relations, charitable contributions, marketing and member communications. She has been with Kaiser Permanente for over ten years.
2005 Judy Cara
2004 Patsy Buchwald
CEO/President/Owner, Colorado Springs Balloon Classic
Patsy is CEO, President and Owner of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic. She is an aviation enthusiast of fixed wing, helicopter, gliders and hot air balloons, and a community activist involved in political volunteerism, parent groups, women’s enterprises, charitable boards and the business community. She has one son, Brian, and two grandchildren.
2003 Pam Shockley-Zalabak
2002 Barbara Winter
Sr. Vice President of Organizational Resources for Ent Federal Credit Union
Barb is the Sr. Vice President of Organizational Resources for Ent Federal Credit Union. She has been with Ent for eight years and is responsible for Human Resources, Payroll, Training, and Property and Real Estate matters. She has served on a number of community boards and enterprises throughout the region and is currently on the boards of United Way and the Chancellor’s Leadership Class at UCCS.
2001 Shirley Stewart
2000 Mary Ellen McNally
Community Leader
Mary Ellen McNally is a former District Eleven School Board member and City Councilwoman. She is an active community volunteer and holds leadership positions in several nonprofit organizations. Her civic engagement includes philanthropic and charity work, business and politics.
1999 Elizabeth Youngquist
1998 Lea Roads
1997 Marijane Paulsen
1996 Brenda Smith
1995 Cari Shaffer
Founder and Owner of ADD STAFF, Inc.
Cari married Larry Shaffer in 1965. They have one son; Kelly Shaffer, married to Patricia Shaffer; along with 3 grandchildren; Brianne, Courtney and Robert.
Cari studied ballet for 11 years, has hiked Pikes Peak (taking two steps for every one her husband took), and enjoys reading, golf, gardening and taking long walks with her husband Larry.
In 1984 Cari founded, ADD STAFF, Inc., an accounting, administrative, technical and professional staffing service with 18 full and part time in-house staffers. Cari is in the people business. She feels it has to be one of the most rewarding of all businesses because from each person you talk to, you learn something. ADD STAFF has employed over 37,000 individuals.
1994 Mary Shields
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