Two ATHENAs Rule

It was a packed house at the 2023 Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce/Optimum Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon, one of Northern Arizona’s largest business events of the year. More than 525 people, including elected officials, businesspeople and non-profit leaders, attended the Feb. 10 event, which honored volunteers and winners of the prestigious ATHENA Awards.

The room buzzed with energy in anticipation of the ATHENA announcement in which 18 women were successfully nominated, one of the largest groups in more than 30 years. So, for the first time, the Chamber presented two ATHENA Awards, one for the private sector and one for public/non-profit sector nominees.

“When you read these bios and the words of the nominees, one can clearly understand why our community is one of the best to live, work and play,” said Chamber CEO and President Julie Pastrick.

After a thunder of table “drumrolls,” and the opening of “the envelopes, please,” two women were honored with the prestigious ATHENA Award. Dr. Jenny Siess, veterinarian and owner of Westside Veterinary Clinic, was proclaimed winner of the private sector; Ross Schaefer, executive director of Flagstaff Shelter Services, was named winner of the public sector in the leadership recognition that applauds professional excellence, community service and mentorship.

“To be up here with all these other women who have done so much for the community has been an honor in itself,” Siess said. “I look forward to serving this community more.”

“I’m so inspired by all the women up here,” said Schaefer, with the ATHENA trophy in her hand. “ATHENA was a warrior; she was a badass.”

The spirit of the ATHENAs is based on the leadership tenants of: live authentically, learn constantly, build relationships, foster collaboration, act courageously, advocate fiercely, give back and celebrate. ATHENA International is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to “building a global pipeline of women leaders from the classroom to the boardroom who will create a balance in voices of leadership worldwide.”

Economic Indicators, Predictions

Before the anticipated announcements, keynote speaker Danny Court, senior economist at Elliott D. Pollack & Company in Scottsdale, spoke about economic indicators for the nation, state and Flagstaff. “Watch the consumers,” he said while pointing to a Consumer Confidence Index graph. “As consumers go, so goes the economy.” He also noted that the nation is at record-high levels of credit card debit.

Further, he confirmed the lowest unemployment rate in 60-70 years. “There is a greater number of job openings than people looking for jobs,” he said.

Looking at the state, Court shared, “People are choosing Arizona as a place they want to be.” Greater Phoenix is sixth in the nation in jobs, and he predicts a 1.7% job growth this year and a 2.3% job growth in 2024. However, he warned, housing continues to be in short supply.

In Flagstaff, Court revealed economic data and growth prospects are projecting an additional 200 households per year from now until 2027. Addressing rent control, he reported that it has neither proven to lower rent nor keep rent low, other than in the very short-term. He added that rent control creates less housing.

The economist, who worked with ECoNA, an economic collaborative organization supported by many agencies in Northern Arizona, challenged regional leaders. “Innovation and creativity are needed for a solution to housing.”

The Premier Sponsor of the event was Optimum, which provides internet service with speeds up to 1 Gig, Smart WiFi 6 and built-in security.

Chamber Volunteer Awards

Throughout the annual meeting, Chamber volunteers were honored. Ambassador of the Year was awarded to a volunteer business leader who attends and assists at the most Chamber events, Wil Hernandez, director of community relations at The Peaks Senior Living. Volunteer of the Year went to Colleen Snyder, director of human resources at Little America, for her service as a Chamber Education Division volunteer. KAFF co-owner Clay McCauslin was recognized as Chamber Champion of the Year for the effort he put toward creating a positive brand for the Chamber.

Green Business Awards

The second annual Desert Financial Credit Union Green Business Award, supported by UniSource Energy, was also revealed at the event. Scott Kirshbaum of Desert Financial Credit Union presented the Green Business Award for Small Business to QC Office for diverting printer cartridges and electronic waste from landfills. Arizona Snowbowl was awarded the Green Business Award for Corporate for programs that recycled 1,300 pounds of material and created the free park-n-ride system with Mountain Line, the city’s public transportation company.

2023 ATHENA Nominees

There were eight finalists from the private sector: Rochelle Daniel of Atria Restaurant, Janet Dean with APS, Erin Evans of Evans Garrey, PLLC, Paula Gilbert with OneAZ Credit Union, Jenny Siess, owner of Westside Veterinary Clinic, Miranda Sweet, owner Rainbow’s End, Tasha Vigil with Angels Care Home Health, and Katie Wittekind of Lancaster Leadership.

Ten finalists competed from the public sector: Jennifer Brown of NACOG Head Start, Heather Dalmolin with Mountain Line, Coconino County Recorder Patty Hansen, Terry Madeksza of Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance, Heather Marcy with Northland Family Help Center, Colleen Maring of Northern Arizona Healthcare, Marti Neff from North Country HealthCare, Ross Schaefer of Flagstaff Shelter Services, Emma Wharton with Grand Canyon Youth and Diana White of Moonshot at NACET.

NARBHA Institute and Nordstroms and Associates CPA have sponsored the ATHENA Awards for more than a decade. FBN

By Stacey Wittig, FBN

Courtesy Photo: Veterinarian and Westside Veterinary Clinic owner Dr. Jenny Siess received the ATHENA Award representing the private sector. Flagstaff Shelter Services Executive Director Ross Schaefer received the ATHENA Award representing the public sector in the leadership program.