ATHENA Young Professional Award® Application Form

The ATHENA International Awards® are brought to you by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and its Women’s Council affiliate.

Application Deadline: October 23, 2023

 

Instructions

The ATHENA Young Professional Award® recognizes emerging leaders in the 30 to 45-year old range who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession. Recipients must also show their commitment to service by contributing time and energy to improving the quality of life of others in the community while serving as a role model for young women both personally and professionally. We encourage you to review all of the below information carefully.

However, please note several important items: 

  1. Please tell the woman or women on whose behalf you wish to apply that you are doing so. This will ensure you have the most up-to-date information and resume materials, as well as important details about her career and successes that you may not be aware of.

  2. In the interest of fairness, once an application is submitted, you may not change or update any information once the applications are closed. The only exception to this rule is to update a finalist's job title or company change. Again, this underscores the importance of telling the applicant ahead of time about the application in order to ensure all information is accurate and applicable.

  3. We use the application materials to write the introductions for each finalist at the Awards Dinner and, as stated above, we do not accept additional information once the application window is closed. In order to develop introductions that are accurate and reflective of the finalist, please make sure you have created a thorough, detailed submission.

THE CRITERIA

You may apply for yourself or on behalf of others using the following criteria, and you may also submit applications for multiple applicants in each category. Also, please be as detailed as possible in order to give the selection committee enough information with which to consider the applicant. The more information, the better! 

Please note: to apply for the ATHENA Young Professional Award® an individual must be between 30 to 45 years of age at the application submission deadline to apply for the ATHENA Young Professional Award®. The applicant is ineligible if she has applied in the two consecutive years prior the current, anticipated application. For example, if the potential applicant also applied in 2018 and 2019, she is not eligible for a 2020 application. However, she may be considered for application again in 2021. The applicant should have a minimum of five years professional experience. If you are unsure whether an applicant meets these criteria, please contact our Chamber Affiliate Liaison.

Whether applying for yourself or on behalf of someone, you should address each of the following criteria in detail for their ATHENA Young Professional Award® applicant:

I. PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

Provide specific examples and detailed descriptions of how the applicant has demonstrated excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession as evidenced by:

  • Leadership roles, personal accountability, and results

  • Impact on revenue or financial condition of the firm/company/agency

  • Impact on employee or client satisfaction

  • Impact on quality of product or services

  • Participation in and impact on strategic positioning of the company/firm/agency

II. COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP:

Provide a list of local, state, national, and international participation in community organizations and include list of service and offices held as evidenced by:

  • Leadership or support role to an organization outside of her normal or expected professional responsibilities

  • A showing of advancement or improvement of the organization based upon her participation

  • A showing of any direct contributions made to programs, policies, or initiatives that positively influence the status of the organization or community issue/initiative

III. PERSONAL LEADERSHIP

Provide specific examples and detailed descriptions of how the applicant has assisted and mentored young women personally and professionally as evidenced by:

  • Mentorship or coaching provided by applicant

  • Influencing or encouraging the career development or advancement of young women

  • Volunteer efforts with organization’s whose mission is or is related to the growth, mentorship, or advancement of young women

Online Submission Only

The more information provided allows the committee to more fully understand the contributions made by the applicant. Therefore, please provide as much information about the applicant as possible.  In order to provide such information, we strongly suggest you tell the applicant that you are submitting an application. Please be sure to review the sample application before you begin filling out the application form as it provides a clear framework for the level of specificity and detail required for each application.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

  • Rochester Chamber and The Women's Council ATHENA Awards Applications Committee pre-screens applications to ensure all required information is included.

  • Finalists are determined based on the award criteria, the level of detail in the application form submission, and supporting documentation provided.

  • Final selection of the ATHENA Young Professional Award® recipient is made by a Selection Committee consisting of a diverse group of leaders from the Greater Rochester Area.

COMPLETING THE ATHENA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL AWARD® APPLICATION FORM

  • Please fill out the application form available completely and accurately. An option to send supporting documents (i.e., resume, letter of recommendation, awards and accomplishments) is available via email. Attachments should directly support the ATHENA Young Professional Award® criteria.

  • For strongest consideration, you are encouraged to provide detailed supporting information about the applicant’s qualifications when submitting an application. Any additional information regarding the applicant that is not included within the application submission and supporting documentation will not be considered as part of the selection.

  • It is highly recommended that you review the application form with the applicant prior to submitting.

QUESTIONS?

For further assistance, please call our Affiliate Manager at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce: cassidy.franklin@greaterrochesterchamber.com 

Any attachments (limit is 4) you wish to include in your application,
please send to send to  athena@rocwomenscouncil.org.