YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator announced the 33 nominees for the 32nd annual Athena Award.

The award honors women who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way and open doors so that others may follow in their path.

The 2025 Athena Award Dinner will take place May 15 at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield. The event will kick off with a cocktail reception at 5:15 p.m., followed by the dinner and program. The cost is $100 per person.

The 2025 nominees are:

  • Amanda Archer, market director, banking at JPMorgan Chase.
  • Paula Baco, director of Trumbull Career & Technical Center.
  • Denise Glinatsis Bayer, vice president/senior trust officer at Premier Bank.
  • Andrea Mahone Blackmon, CEO of Just in Time Employment Agency and Andrea Mahone Foundation.
  • Mallory Capretta, pediatric nurse practitioner at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.
  • Sarah Chill, education program director for Ursuline Sisters Mission.
  • Melissa Crown, COO of Guidelight Financial Group.
  • Alexandra DeVengencie-Bush, human resource and risk management director for Trumbull County Board of Commissioners.
  • Rachael Dobson, director of Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University.
  • Dionne Dowdy-Lacey, executive director of United Returning Citizens.
  • Tery Ely, executive director of Veterans’ Outreach.
  • Jennifer Frank, professor of fashion merchandising at YSU.
  • Heather Fronk, president of Clothed In Strength.
  • Charlotte Gardiner, president of Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital.
  • Deborah Grinstein, community development, new business trust officer at Farmers Trust Co.
  • Darlene Jones, CEO of Society of St. Vincent de Paul Northeast Ohio District Council.
  • Kristen Kotheimer, licensed independent social worker; supervising social worker; school and family solutions coordinator at PCM PsyCare.
  • Tifinie LaComb, vice president, regional banking relationship at Huntington Bank.
  • Traci Miller, owner and president of Color 3 Embroidery.
  • Ashley Morrow, human resources/payroll/grants/safety at Livi Steel Inc.
  • Morgan O’Brien, director of operations at Cornerstone Caregiving.
  • LeeAnn Oros, founder/owner/professional makeup artist of Permanent Beauty by LeeAnn.
  • Karlene Pappada, welcome center manager/CNA instructor/case manager supervisor at Flying High Inc.
  • Pamela Ramsey, clinical director at Community Corrections Association Inc.
  • Nicole Ranttila, owner/licensed clinical psychologist.
  • Heather Sahli, general manager of Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
  • Beth Scheller, president and CEO of YMCA of Youngstown.
  • Stephanie Shapiro, managing partner/owner of Sherman Creative.
  • Trinette Simon, director of inclusion and equity at Cohen & Co.
  • Patricia Summers, founder, president and CEO of Youngstown Blue Coats.
  • Dr. Vasilia Vamvakis, family physician for Mercy Health.
  • Vicki Vicars, vice president of operations at Thrive Mahoning Valley.
  • Dr. Vanessa Jones Washington, CEO of New Beginnings Residential Treatment Center.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the 2025 Athena Award Dinner, go to RegionalChamber.com.