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  •  The Pickerington Area Chamber ATHENA Leadership Awards  

    Since 1998, the Pickerington Area Chamber has brought together community and business leaders to celebrate the individuals who excel in their professions, give back to their communities, and raise up other leaders. Join nearly 150 fellow attendees for a program exploring leadership and networking, culminating in the presentation of the ATHENA Leadership Award, ATHENA Emerging Leader Award, and the Youth ATHENA Award. 

    The ATHENA Leadership Award was inspired by the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare. The embodiment of good counsel and heroic endeavor, Athena was admired for her courage and devotion to civilization and justice. Athena knew her worth and forged her own path. The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to the woman or man whose own path shows achievement at the highest level of professional excellence, who is devoted to improving the quality of life in her or his community, and who actively assists others, especially women, in realizing their leadership potential.  

    Since 1982 more than 7000 individuals around the world have been honored with this award on the local, national, or international level. The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented annually by women's organizations, universities, and chambers of commerce. The Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to participate in this prestigious leadership awards program.

    More information about ATHENA International may be found here. To see the past ATHENA Award winners, click here.

  • 2023 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient

  • Carol Haynes

    Kiddie Academy of Pickerington

    Carol Haynes is the franchisee of six Kiddie Academy locations, including the nearly completed one in Pickerington. Carol is a noted nurse educator, reformer, community leader and change agent who is best known for her advocacy work with children and families in Central Ohio. Carol holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Nursing and a certification from Yale in Women’s Leadership, and she continues to pursue her doctorate in Educational Policy and Research. Her mission is to give struggling children and families a hand up to avoid life’s pitfalls while bolstering community. She sees herself and her staff as service leaders and believes modeling that for children helps them understand the importance of giving back. She currently mentors more than 7 young leaders and is an excellent role model to the women she employs, encouraging and investing in their professional development. She also serves on the Kiddie Academy leadership team to assist women to own their own business franchises.

  • 2023 Emerging ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient

  • Delainey McIlwain

    Park National Bank

    Delainey works with nonprofits and other local organizations in Fairfield County, Hocking County, and Athens County to coordinate charitable giving, volunteer efforts, and bank events. She serves on multiple boards and advisory committees, and is part of numerous community groups, including president of the Visit Fairfield Co. Board of Directors, president of the Friends of the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Board of Directors, Board Treasurer of Destination Downtown Lancaster, an Advisory Committee member of Ohio University Lancaster Women’s Leadership Summit, and a member of the Young Professionals of Fairfield County. Delainey is also Co-Chair of the Women’s Giving Circle, which supports local non-profit organizations that focus efforts on supporting women and children in our community. And she was recently named the 2023 Young Professional of the Year by the Lancaster Fairfield Chamber of Commerce.

  • 2023 Youth ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient

  • Lillian Corpening-Morgan

    Pickerington North

    Lillian is a leader with Black Girl Rising where she advocates for the empowerment of African American females. She is a student leader in Sunnyside Up, creating transition programming for new freshmen each year and mentoring fellow students. Through her role with Black Girl Rising, she advocates for the empowerment of African American females and seeks to inform stakeholders regarding the support and programming from which this demographic could benefit. As a result of her advocacy, Lillian has worked with Congresswoman Joyce Beaty and spoken at the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations. Lillian has built a foundation of leadership, public service and professionalism through her various organizations. She has a passion for elevating women and works tirelessly for the betterment and inclusion of the female voice.

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