Recipients of the 2019 and 2020 Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Leadership Award were surprised with an additional commemorative gift during special presentations in July.
LAFCU, sponsor of the Grand Ledge award that celebrates women leaders, presented each winner with an ATHENA Leadership Award pendant. The 2019 recipient is Bethany Augustine, Flour Child Bakery owner. The 2020 recipient is Pam Redman, Pam’s Pantry owner.
“The pendants are a small token to recognize the recipients who are strengthening the local economy,” said Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU chief marketing officer and chief diversity officer. “It’s our hope that by wearing the pendants, Bethany and Pam will be reminded daily of the importance of their work in the community and of the tenets of the ATHENA Leadership Model.
“Providing this additional gift is also a great opportunity to support the local jeweler who helped develop the custom-made pendant for this international award program that originated in Lansing.”
Lansing jeweler Mark Arendsen, Arendsen Jewelers Inc., and his late brother Jon created the original ATHENA Leadership Award pendant in the 1990s in collaboration with award founder Martha Mertz. The designs of the pendant and the ATHENA Leadership Award sculpture, which the Grand Ledge honorees received when initially accepting their awards, represent a person reaching for excellence. Both designs are inspired by the award program’s namesake, the Greek goddess Athena known for her strength, wisdom, courage and enlightenment.
Amy Hoyes, Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce executive director, said, “We are so appreciative of LAFCU’s support for elevating the achievements of these small-business owners and for celebrating the accomplishments of these women in leadership roles.”
ATHENA Leadership Award recipients are celebrated for their leadership excellence: They have achieved the highest level of professional excellence, helped improve the quality of life for others in the community, and assisted others, particularly women, in realizing their leadership potential.
LAFCU gifted two recent recipients of the Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Leadership Award with a custom-made pendant that will remind them of their important work in the community.
Pam Redman, center, receives the ATHENA Leadership Award pendant at a surprise presentation. Also pictured is Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU, at left, and Amy Hoyes, Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce, right.
LAFCU’s Kelli Ellsworth Etchison surprises Pam Redman with an ATHENA Leadership Award pendant.
Bethany Augustine, at right, receives the ATHENA Leadership Award pendant at a surprise presentation. Also pictured is, from left, Amy Hoyes, Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce, and Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU.