MARION, OH — The Women’s Business Council (WBC) of Marion proudly announces fourteen 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award nominees. WBC presents the ATHENA Award to an individual who is recognized for professional excellence, creativity, initiative, community service, and for actively assisting women in reaching their full leadership potential. ATHENA nominations are solicited from
community members each year.
The 2026 Women’s Business Council ATHENA Leadership Award Nominees are Amanda Ash, Colleen Bingaman, Martis Bracy, Olivia Davis, Katie Grimes, Jenni Hypes, Jen Lawson, Evelyn Lisiecki, Roxanne Oliver, Courney Rittenour, Leslie Schneider, Roxane Somerlot, Cathy Waddell, and Valerie Wigton.
This year’s ATHENA Leadership Award recipient will be announced at the 29 th Annual Women’s Business Council ATHENA celebration on Wednesday, March 11th at the Twenty Three North event venue. Social hour and cocktails begin at 5:30, with awards and dinner at 6 o’clock.
Local companies championing the ATHENA recognition program help make this annual event possible. Modern Woodmen of America is a Platinum Sponsor. Gold Sponsors include Alluvial Private Wealth, Buckeye Bartending Services LLC, Cummins Facility Services, Executive Imaging, First Citizens National Bank, Marion Flower Shop, Marion Technical College, New Horizons Surgery Center, OhioHealth, Pillar Credit Union, Stifel, and Tri-Rivers Career Center. Silver Sponsors are All
Occasions Catering and Twenty Three North, Dostal & Kirk Insurance & Financial Services, Finding Center, Lois Fisher and Associates, Matt and Rhonda Burggraf, The Union Bank, United Church Homes, and Verne Hart Insurance. Sponsoring at the Bronze level are Aqua Ohio, Carroll’s Jewelers, ECO Center LLC, Chris Massy from Generations Realty, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter, Co. LPA, Marion Public Library, and Sims Brothers Recycling. Christine Hinton & Ashley Klingel from EXP
Realty will be sponsoring the bar, and EB Messenger Marketing designs the program. Thank you for supporting businesswomen in the Marion community!
Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial has once again committed to matching the auction proceeds from up to $2,500, which will then be presented to the 2026 ATHENA recipient’s designated charity. Many local businesses and individuals have donated auction items. The public is invited to register and bid through the auction link on the WBC website. The online auction will open on March 1st.
Visit www.womensbusinesscouncil.com to learn more about Women’s Business Council, purchase ATHENA Awards Banquet tickets, or bid in the online charity auction. New members and guests are always welcome.
WBC remains dedicated to inspiring women to reach their full potential through mentoring, relationship building, education and recognition, and congratulates the 2026 ATHENA Award nominees. “These fourteen exceptional women set the standard for excellence—both in their fields and through their service to the community,” noted WBC President Lisa Bush. “Women’s Business Council proudly recognizes their leadership and the powerful ways they support and inspire others.”
Amanda Ash
Teacher, Marion City Schools
Owner, Mimi’s Art Hollow
Nominated by Kenneth Ash
Charity: Homeless to Home Cat Sanctuary
Colleen Bingaman
Associate Vice-President of Operations, OhioHealth Marion General Hospital
Nominated by Jim Parobek
Charity: Marion Matters
Martis Bracy
Owner and Operator, Complete Childcare Services
Nominated by Shannel Bracy
Charity: Peace & Freedom Committee
Olivia Davis
Teacher and Coach, Marion City Schools
Nominated by Johnnie Lewis Jackson
Charity: Marion Area Humane Society
Katie Grimes
Owner, Shamrock Insurance Agency
Nominated by Deb Widrig
Charity: Marion Palace Theatre
Jenni Hypes
Executive Director, Aspire Ministries
Nominated by Nicole Workman
Charity: Aspire Ministries
Jen Lawson
Owner, Finding Center
Teacher, Tri-Rivers Career Center
Nominated by Sarah Stalter
Charity: Luke 3:11 Ministries Prom Wish
Evelyn Lisiecki
Latino Ministry Coordinator, St. Mary Church
Insurance Agent, New York Life
Nominated by Marylyn Aguirre
Charity: St. Vincent de Paul
Roxanne Oliver
Nurse Practitioner, Midwest Internal Medicine
Nominated by Sandy Stevens
Charity: Voice of Hope
Courtney Rittenour
Director, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Victims Assistance Program
Nominated by Sheriff Matt Bales
Charity: Marion Matters
Leslie Schneider
Director of Community Philanthropy, Boys & Girls Club of Central Ohio
Nominated by Tammi Cowell
Charity: Boys & Girls Club of Marion County
Roxane Somerlot
Director, Marion County Job & Family Services
Nominated by Heidi Jones
Charity: Marion Matters
Cathy Waddell
Director of Marketing, Business Development & Employee Relations, Cummins Facility Services
Nominated by Diane Glassmeyer
Charity: Salvation Army
Valerie Wigton
President, Marion Women’s Club
Nominated by Doris Schwartz, Lynette McCullough
Charity: Women’s Club Home