Listen in: Voices of Athena

Athena Radio

Tune into the Voices of Athena podcast

3... 2... 1... Voices of Athena is now live! Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player to hear our first three episodes, featuring the inspiring stories of dynamic Athena members.

Learn why multicultural leadership coach Yasmin Davidds believes everything happens for a reason and how she lives that philosophy daily.

Take a journey through life, death, and all the things that happen in between with Puppet CEO Yvonne Wassenaar.

And, hear how bravery and naivete created a unique life path for Linda Medler, a board director and former one-star general.

Meet Shelli Brunswick, the space advocate

In this week's episode of Third Act, Liz talks with Shelli Brunswick – The Space Advocate. Shelli spent 29 years in the Air Force focusing on what she calls the “on Earth” jobs for the space program. Shelli shares her infectious enthusiasm for the booming career opportunities in space as well as why 2022 is going to be the best year yet for space exploration.

Inside Athena

Executive learning, when and how you need it

Athena supports leaders as they reach their biggest career goals. Women leaders join Athena to access the learning, community, and opportunities they need to achieve their highest leadership impact. Learn more about Athena membership here.

Black History Month

A message from Athena board director Rhonda Mims

In light of Black History Month, Athena board director Rhonda Mims reflects on why Black History Month is personal for so many leaders. Rhonda is an experienced executive and board director with vast expertise in public affairs, corporate communications, DEI, corporate social responsibility, and marketing.

Our continued mission to support diversity

At Athena, we are determined to be an inclusive organization – rooted in transparency, openness, curiosity, and a deep sense of commitment to each other’s well being. One of our core beliefs is that the top level of leadership should reflect the dynamics of society as a whole. Read Athena Founder & CEO Coco Brown's annual update on our path to 37.6% diverse membership.

Recruit diverse board directors and executives for your open roles

Directly recruit from our top community of women leaders, no strings (or fees) attached. We invite search firms, venture capital and private equity firms, CEOs, event hosts, and others to share their board seats, CxO roles, and speaking engagements with us. Every interested candidate who's a fit for the role will be shared with you to evaluate and connect with directly.

Talk Money with Your Honey

Meet Manisha Thakor, a wealth advisor whose Athena membership catapulted her board journey

Manisha Thakor is a financial wellbeing consultant who helps women take charge of their financial futures. Recently retiring as VP of Financial Wellbeing for Brighton Jones, Manisha now spends her time writing (she’s the author of three books providing financial literacy insights for women), keynote speaking, and serving in the boardroom.

Learn more about Manisha’s executive journey from analyst to wealth advisor to board director, and how her Athena membership helped round out her career as she finds balance in her third act.

Congratulations to Athena member Debra Vernon on the launch of her new venture, Joynup

Athena member Debra Vernon recently launched her new venture, Joynup.com, to help couples discuss their goals, protect their assets, and enter into agreements to plan their future together. Debra is a corporate lawyer by training, graduating from Stanford Law School before practicing law in Silicon Valley, taking a business approach to helping clients navigate the minefields of divorce. Congratulations, Debra!

Member News

Congratulations to our members on their recent achievements

• Anne De Greef-Safft was appointed to the Ambarella Inc. board
• Barbara Massa was appointed to the Nightdragon board
• Bess Weatherman was appointed to the Insulet board
• Brenna Davis was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Organically Grown Company
• Gena Lovett was appointed to the QuantumScape board
• Karen Roter Davis was appointed as Managing Partner at Entrada Ventures
• Liz A. Levy-Navarro was appointed as board chair of Eastside Distilling
• Margaret Francis was appointed as Chief Product Officer at dbt Labs
• Margaret Hardin was appointed to the Hydralyte board

Welcome new members

We’re honored to welcome this week’s new members to the Athena community. These impressive women leaders come from leading companies like Intuit, Bank of America, and Sumo Logic. They are Chief People Officers, Chief Accounting Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, D&I consultants, and senior leaders in areas of biologics, DEI, professional services, commerce, customer success, and more.

Ready to join us? Learn more about membership here. Or, if you have a specific goal in mind (like a board seat or career transition), an Accelerator may be right for you.