The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator have 31 exceptional nominees who will be recognized at the 33rd annual ATHENA Award Dinner on May 14.

The ATHENA Award honors professional women who have devoted time and energy to their community. 

The annual award, sponsored by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator will select one winner on May 14. 

The 2026 nominees are:

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

  • CFO, Covelli Enterprises

Beth Carmichael

  • Executive Director, 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 Fluck

  • Marketing Director. Window World PennOhio

Gina Govojdean

  • Vice President, Sales and Supply, Howmet Aerospace

Elizabeth Hartwig

  • Vice President, Investments, Stifel

Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki

  • Co-Owner, Penguin City Brewing Company

Amy Less Shope

  • Managing Partner, Lehner Shope Wealth Group; Founder and Director, Dylan’s House

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

  • CEO, 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

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 Turpak

  • Senior Wealth Advisor, Vice President, Huntington Bank
  • Jill Uberti-Stefanucci, 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

 

Regional Chamber Executive Vice President of Membership, Events & MarComm Kim Calvert said, “Each year, this group of nominees reminds us how much talent, dedication and quiet influence exists across our region. As we mark the 33rd year of the ATHENA Award in the Valley, it is a privilege to recognize women whose leadership strengthens our organizations, our neighborhoods and the next generation they inspire.”

The 2026 ATHENA Award Dinner will take place on Thursday, May 14, at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield.