Award recipients share a commitment to community building.
The two businesswomen, both working in different ways to provide shelter for families, found themselves being honored by nearly 600 people at the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce 2024 Annual Meeting and Award Luncheon, Friday, Feb. 16: Lamberson, the recipient of the ATHENA Private Sector Award; McLaughlin, the recipient of the ATHENA Public/Non-profit Award.
Lisa Lamberson
“Growing up in a deeply rooted small-town family, I learned the importance of authentic human connection and community building from a young age,” said Lamberson, upon accepting the honor. “My entrepreneurial parents, Mark and Rosie, taught me the value of building relationships and showing up for those in need. These lessons have shaped who I am today and guide my work as a curator of community.”
Under Lamberson’s leadership, her family business recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with the community and also has provided more than $250,000 to local non-profit conservation and environmental education organizations through Mountain Sports’ 1% for the Planet giving program.
Aside from creating an environment where workers say they feel nurtured and mentored and visitors say they appreciate the friendly, helpful and fun environment, Lamberson dedicates her time to charities, nonprofit organizations and community development. Currently, she serves as a Stream Steward, adopting the Shultz 1 section of the Rio de Flag for clean-up, monitoring and stewardship; participates on the Downtown Business Alliance board; belongs to Women Empowering Northern Arizona; is a member of the She Wolf Project, devoted to female empowerment; and volunteers for numerous non-profit organizations.
“Outside of my day to day as a shopkeeper in the historic downtown, my work centers around fostering a deep sense of place and interdependence in our mountain town,” said Lamberson, also the co-owner of Bright Side Bookshop. “I believe in this interconnectedness and that by nurturing our relationships to one another and to the natural world around us, we thrive together.”
Not typically comfortable in the spotlight, Lamberson says the ATHENA recognition has been so warm and welcoming that she is greatly enjoying the honor. “So many friends, colleagues and community members have taken a moment to send congratulations and shine a light on the ways that my time and energy have improved the lives of others in our community. I am so grateful to join this esteemed group of female leaders in our community.”
Devonna McLaughlin
“Receiving the ATHENA Award reminds me that my work is not done and that our community is a better place when we all work together to make positive changes,” said McLaughlin. “I’m committed to continuing to spend my time working to make a difference – through my work at Housing Solutions, as a mom, as a friend and colleague. I look forward to investing in our community and the success of others for the rest of my life.”
Two years ago, McLaughlin secured funding and identified a Flagstaff motel, which Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona (HSNA) has successfully rehabilitated. The 44 units of transitional housing are now being leased to households experiencing homelessness.
Through her leadership at HSNA, McLaughlin has won several awards, was instrumental in the creation of the Flagstaff City Housing Commission and founded the Flagstaff Tax Credit Coalition, where she works with local non-profits to create an advocacy and educational campaign aimed at promoting the importance of non-restricted taxpayer-directed donations that stay in the community. In addition, her Sharon’s Attic concept is providing revenue to help support the HSNA mission and creating local jobs.
“I have been blessed to work with many amazing women in my career and through my work here in Flagstaff, it’s hard to name just one or two, as I would not be in the position I am now without the support, mentorship and encouragement of dozens of important people in my life,” said McLaughlin. “I would like to thank Helen Hudgens Ferrell, who founded Housing Solutions, hired me and encouraged me to continue to try new things. I also want to thank Cheryl Blume, a mentor and friend who’s always there to help no matter what.”
McLaughlin says receiving the ATHENA Award is an honor of a lifetime. “I am grateful to the community for this recognition and support. I have been blessed to collaborate with and call many ATHENAs my friends. It’s amazing to be included in this community of thoughtful, fearless, dedicated and tireless women leaders.”
Kate Wyatt Named ATHENA Young Professional
Also at the annual Flagstaff Chamber luncheon, Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency Department Care Coordinator Kate Wyatt received the 2024 ATHENA Young Professional Award. “I am still living on the high energy and love from that day,” she said.
Prior to her work at FMC, she served as the director of human trafficking services at Northland Family Help Center, where she created the Flagstaff Initiative Against Trafficking (FIAT), a community collective of professional service providers and volunteers who seek to end human trafficking through education and awareness. Wyatt has been recognized as the driving force behind local training on human trafficking crimes and has received the “Game Changer” award through the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network.
“There are so many remarkable women who are achieving amazing things in Flagstaff and I just so appreciate the Chamber putting on this event annually,” said Wyatt. “I have been working as a social worker in Flagstaff since 2013 and have been influenced by outstanding women. I strive to be a positive, impactful and supportive influence for other women who are working to achieve their goals. Receiving the ATHENA Young Professional Award has certainly bolstered my passion and drive to continue my work in this community.”
The event marked the Chamber’s 35th year of sponsoring the ATHENA Leadership Awards, in which 19 local women were honored.
“Not many things excite me as much as the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and ATHENA Awards,” said Chamber President and CEO Julie Pastrick. “For more than three decades, the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce has chosen to invest in the spirit of the ATHENA Awards as a way to recognize individuals who might otherwise go unnoticed for the passion and dedication they bring to the workplace and community at large. What a wonderful opportunity we have to honor and celebrate prestigious female leaders from all types of professional careers for the excellence in their chosen fields, their mentorship of others to achieve their career goals and their valuable engagement in community service.”
GRAND CANYON RAILWAY HONORED FOR GREEN PRACTICES
In recognition of exemplary dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship, the Chamber also celebrates businesses demonstrating outstanding commitment to eco-friendly practices and contributing positively to the community and planet.
At the meeting, Grand Canyon Railway received the Green Business Award for its conversion from diesel fuel to using waste vegetable oil from their kitchen fryers and other Arizona restaurants along with their commitment to pursue an electric-motored railway to replace the steam engine in order to preserve the Grand Canyon’s pristine environment.
Nackard Pepsi and Forest Highlands also were nominated for their green business practices.
GOVERNOR ADDRESSES WATER, HIGH-SPEED INTERNET
During the event, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs addressed the room of community leaders at the High Country Conference Center. She noted that protecting groundwater is a top priority for the state, as water security plays a fundamental role in investments, future economic development and continued growth.
The Governor also expressed enthusiasm about building infrastructure to deploy technology that will expand high-speed internet access to rural communities. She has stated, “For too long, millions of Arizonans have lacked this access, preventing them from attaining good paying jobs, quality education and even basic healthcare services.” FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Surrounded by a community of Flagstaff ATHENA Leadership Award recipients, Mountain Sports Flagstaff owner Lisa Lamberson, Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency Department Care Coordinator Kate Wyatt and Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona CEO Devonna McLaughlin, seated here in the front row, were honored during the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Award Luncheon.