ATHENA AWARD RECIPIENTS

CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING & ATHENA AWARDS RECAP

WE GATHERED We nominated six Young Professionals, and nine women for the ATHENA Award.

WE ELECTED Mark Love was passed the gavel by Brenda Carter and is now offically the Chairman of the Chamber Board.

WE CELEBRATED YOUNG PROFESSIONALS Jesica Barker, DancEvolution, was the recipient of our 2020 ATHENA Young Professional Award.

WE LISTENED ABOUT OUR STATE We welcomed Governor Doug Ducey as our keynote speaker, and learned about all the great business that is happening in AZ.

WE CELEBRATED WOMEN IN BUSINESS Dr. Colleen Smith, Coconino Community College, was the recipient of our 2020 ATHENA Award.

AND THE RECIPIENTS ARE... DR. COLLEEN SMITH Coconino Community College Dr. Colleen Smith President, Coconino Community College Dr. Smith has lived a life of serving community, mentoring and being a true champion for women and the underserved for the past 40 years. Colleen is a first-generation college graduate, earning her bachelor's and master's at Texas A&M and her doctorate at Texas Women’s University. She has always been a pioneer for women entering male-dominated fields. In 1995 she took a position in Wyoming overseeing programs such as welding, electrical, mine maintenance, plumbing, and pipefitting – careers that are filled by mostly men which sets the tone for other women to follow in her footsteps. Also, Dr. Smith was the first female president of the Southwest Junior College Football Association. In 2016 Dr. Smith became the fifth president of Coconino Community College, serving 375 administrators, faculty and staff, and a student body of 9000 annually. And today, only one in three college presidents are female which demonstrates her extraordinary professional excellence and her high-level talent that garners confidence and trust among her peers in a male dominated arena. Under her leadership, she was able to secure a 1-million-dollar grant from Del E. Webb Foundation to allow the college to update its construction management facilities and add much needed classes in the trades. In her short tenure, she has created over a dozen collaborations in the Flagstaff community. Colleen is committed to giving back to Flagstaff outside of her role at CCC. Dr. Smith is an active member of the Arizona Community Coordinating Council, United Way of Northern Arizona, ECONA, LAUNCH Flagstaff, and the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. She has won more than a dozen distinguished leadership awards over the past years. Also, her passion for advancing and supporting women shines with leadership through the following organizations: Flagstaff Women’s Leadership, Arizona Women in Higher Education, League of Innovation Executive Leadership Institute and American Association of University Women. As an advocate for women, she has guided and advised students considering careers predominantly filled my men. Dr. Smith notably takes women under her wing, even opening her closet, to help young women advance to be strong leaders.

JESICA BARKER DancEvolution Jesica Barker Owner/Founder, DancEvolution Jesica founded DancEvolution in 2011 to teach her 3-year-old twin daughters to dance in their basement. She had a total of 10 girls at the time. In 2018, enrollment exceeded the capacity of their home and moved into a commercial building. Currently, Jesica has over 200 girls enrolled at her studio. During her 9 years as a dance instructor, she has impacted the lives of over 500 girls. Her annual revenue has grown over 600% since her first class. Jesica taught all classes until she bought the building. She now employs 4 women teachers who help with the busy schedule at DancEvolution. Jesica also recruits a half dozen other women to help with web design, costumes, social media, photography and more. One thing that makes Jesica and her business stand out is her installation of “LEAP” values, Love, Excellence, Accountability, and Positivity, among her students. When Jesica is not busy with her empowering dancers, she is volunteering at her church mentoring women ages 11-18. She teaches these women lessons on faith, divine nature, individual worth, choice and accountability, good work, integrity, and virtue. She also sets up weekly activities to help women set goals in their spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical life. The activities include clothing and bedding drives for homeless shelters and Hope Cottage. They have also helped with the city’s Graffiti Busters program. Jesica also donates her time tutoring math to students. Finally, Jesica does outreach to the special need’s community, by donating her time and energy to a group of women with Down’s syndrome.

2020 COMMUNITY AWARDS

The Ambassador of the Year - Alicia Jones, Nackard Pepsi Volunteer of the Year - CT McMurry, QC Office Chamber Champion - Craig Moody, Mammoth Restoration Business Achiever Award - Cecily Maniaci, Toasted Owl Cafe