The inaugural Rutherford ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award was presented by Rutherford County Mayor Ernest G. Burgess at the April 12 RUTHERFORD Cable breakfast meeting. The $3,000 ATHENA Nontraditional Scholarship winner was also named at the event.
The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award Recipient is Lindsey Fournier, Development Coordinator for Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation. Fournier was recognized for her generous service to the community on the boards of the Ann Campbell Early Learning Center, Community Development Center and RUTHERFORD Cable, and on the State Interagency Coordinating Council for Tennessee's Early Intervention System. Fournier received the 2014 RUTHERFORD Cable Link Award and was honored as one of Murfreesboro Magazine's 2014 Young Professionals.
"Lindsey is an inspiration in the example she sets," said Meagan Flippin, 2016 ATHENA Chair. "She truly embodies the ATHENA Young Professional attributes of demonstrating excellence in her profession, giving back to the community, and serving as a role model for young women, including her own two young daughters."
Fournier was nominated for the award by RUTHERFORD Cable, an organization she joined in 2011. She has chaired several Cable committees including Marketing, Programs and Development. "Cable is where I really started to hone my leadership skills," Fournier says. "These women have been a shining beacon in my journey to becoming a more confident leader."
The breakfast meeting and award ceremony recognized and celebrated the accomplishments of the ten women nominated for the award, all emerging leaders under age 40.
The 2016 ATHENA Young Professional Award nominees and their nominating organizations are:
Lauren Agee - Rutherford County Young Democrats
Megan B. Bynum, CFP - LPL Financial
Rachel Forlines - American Association of University Women of Murfreesboro
Lindsey Fournier - RUTHERFORD Cable
Lady L. Hamilton, ANP - Murfreesboro Chi Omega Alumnae Chapter
Jennifer Hill - Nissan Smyrna Women's Business Synergy Team
Jennifer A. Petty, MSN, RN - NHC HealthCare Murfreesboro
Jamie Wood Sybert - Junior League of Murfreesboro
Before announcing the award recipient, Mayor Burgess reflected on the credentials of the ten nominees, telling the gathering of some 250 people, "I know you are as inspired as I am by the accomplishments of this entire group of young women."
ATHENA Scholarship Awarded
The Rutherford ATHENA Award Program grants a nontraditional scholarship to a Rutherford County woman who is pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree later in life.
This year's scholarship recipient is Clelie Cottle. Cottle is currently a student at Motlow State Community College, and expects to graduate with an associate's degree in August 2016. After graduation, Cottle will attend MTSU, majoring in Anthropology. She is in the Honor Society and on the Dean's List with a 4.0 GPA.
The scholarship, which is funded by the ATHENA Patrons Society, was increased to $3,000 for 2016.
ATHENA Award Ceremony April 28
The culminating event of the 2016 ATHENA year is set for April 28, when RUTHERFORD Cable and Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital present the third annual ATHENA International Leadership Award Ceremony at Stones River Country Club in Murfreesboro.
The ATHENA Award recognizes an individual who has achieved the highest level of professional excellence, contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for those in the community, and actively assists others, especially women, in realizing their full leadership potential. There are 12 nominees for the 2016 ATHENA Award.
In addition to founding Sponsor RUTHERFORD Cable and presenting Sponsor Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, the ATHENA Awards are supported by Community Sponsor Pinnacle Financial Partners, and sponsors Deloitte, Ascend Federal Credit Union, Farrar|Wright PLLC, Parks, NHC Healthcare and State Farm.
