Athena Awards Dinner 2026

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator are proud to announce the 30 exceptional nominees for the 33rd annual ATHENA Award Dinner.

The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment. Nominees are recognized for excelling in their chosen field, devoting time and energy to improving their communities, and opening doors so others may follow in their path.

Congratulations to the 2026 Nominees

Amanda Banner – Vice President, Sr. Trust Advisor, Huntington National Bank
Amber Bodrick – Chief Operating Officer, QUICKmed Urgent Care
Lauren Butka – Marketing Director, ECMSI
Valarie Campbell – Chief Financial Officer, Covelli Enterprises
Beth Kotwis-Carmichael – CEO, Trumbull County Tourism Bureau
Tina Chance – Director of Resource Development, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley
Jamie Demain – Director of Volunteer and Visitor Services, Akron Children’s Hospital
Amanda Moran– Marketing Director, Window World PennOhio
Gina Govojdean – Vice President, Sales and Supply, Howmet Aerospace
Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki – Co-Owner, Penguin City Brewing Company
Luann Maynard – Senior Director of Development, Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley
Heather McCowin, DNP – Chief Nursing Officer, Mercy Health Youngstown, St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital
Melinda Miletta-Miller – Chief Executive Officer, Bolt Construction, Inc.
Alicia Miller – SVP, Segment Marketing Leader, WesBanco
Julie Needs – Executive Director, Sustainable Opportunities Development Center
Markisha Parker – Owner, Parker Family Urban Farms LLC; Executive Director, Farm & Family Alliance Inc.
Erin Phemester – Chief Experience Officer, The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County
Dorothy Powell – Owner/Baker, Ginger Bread Bakery
Megan Roberts – Chief Operating Officer, HD Growth Partners
Amy Less Shope – Managing Partner & Financial Advisor, Lehner Shope Wealth Group; Founder and Director, Dylan's House
Crystal Siembida Boggs – President, Siembida & Boggs Philanthropic Foundation; Event Manager, GCXC Racing
Tiffany Sokol – Housing Director, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation
Susan Sutton – Founder, The Ember Project
Amanda Thiry – Vice President, Business Banking Relationship Manager, PNC Bank
Candace Turpack – Senior Wealth Advisor, Vice President, Huntington Bank
Jill Stefanucci-Uberti, D.O. – Vice President of Medical Affairs, Mercy Health Youngstown, St. Joseph Warren Hospital
Samantha Villella-Thomas – -Account Executive, Lamar Advertising
Latisha Weaver – Owner/Operator, La La’s Daycare and Nursery
Belinda Weiss – Museum Director, National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum
Tanisha Wheeler – Regional Director, YBI / Minority Business Assistance Center

Event Information

The 2026 ATHENA Award Dinner begins with a cocktail reception at 5:15 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program.

Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Location: Waypoint 4180, Canfield

Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available.