ATHENA AWARDS 2026: Blue Harbor Resort

ATHENA Awards Dinner Event
An evening to celebrate leadership, service, and community.

The ATHENA Leadership Awards Dinner recognizes exceptional individuals and organizations who are making a difference in Sheboygan County by empowering women leaders. This event honors those who empower others, contribute their time and energy to improving our community’s quality of life, and inspire through action and leadership. Athena believes at the heart of everything we do we should Live Authentically, Learn Constantly, Build Relationships, Foster Collaboration, Act Courageously, Advocate Fiercely, Give Back and Celebrate.

• ATHENA Young Professional Leadership
• ATHENA Organization Leadership
• ATHENA Leadership 

• Celebrate local leaders and organizations who are creating lasting impact.
• Be inspired by stories of leadership, mentorship, and service.
• Enjoy an evening of networking, community, and recognition.
• Support the growth and empowerment of women leaders in Sheboygan County

Patti Habeck is President and CEO of New North Inc., the regional marketing and economic development organization serving the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin. Since joining New North in December 2025, she has led regionally focused efforts to grow and strengthen the Northeast Wisconsin economy, bringing together business, community and civic leaders around opportunities for investment, partnership and economic development.

Prior to joining New North, Patti spent 14 years with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, including eight years as President and CEO. During her tenure, she led a significant transformation of the organization’s strategy, finances and culture, growing it into Wisconsin’s largest hunger-relief organization. Under her leadership, the organization expanded to serve more than 550,000 people annually through 400 partner organizations, doubled food distribution to 60 million pounds annually, and grew revenue to $97 million. She also oversaw the development of a 40,000-square-foot distribution center and office in Little Chute and strengthened the organization’s workforce, financial position and community partnerships.

Patti began her career in leadership roles with the Building for Kids Children’s Museum and the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, both in Appleton. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, a master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, and a certification in AI Business Strategy from Johns Hopkins University.

Deeply committed to community leadership, Patti serves on the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Board and the Council of Trustees for the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Her leadership has been recognized with honors including the ATHENA Leadership Award, the Donald Driver Driven to Achieve Award, multiple Wisconsin Titan Awards, and a Women of Influence Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal. She was also named to the Wisconsin 275 list of influential business leaders by BizTimes Media in 2025.

A Northeast Wisconsin resident for nearly three decades, Patti and her husband, Kevin, have three grown children and live in Appleton.

Kathy Henrich

Kathy Henrich is a technology and business leader, board director, and advocate for building a workforce and economy prepared for the future of AI. She brings more than 35 years of leadership experience across technology, partnerships, sales, talent development, and organizational transformation.

Kathy is the inaugural CEO of the MKE Tech Hub Coalition, where she built and scaled a regional organization focused on inclusive technology-driven economic growth and creating opportunities for individuals and businesses across the Milwaukee region. Prior to that, she held executive leadership roles at IBM, leading large-scale business units across sales, partnerships, and marketing, and at Accenture, where she helped organizations navigate digital transformation through talent strategy, organizational design, and workforce development. She holds a master’s degree in Workforce and Talent Development from Louisiana State University, with a focus on preparing the workforce for the era of artificial intelligence.

Today, Kathy serves on corporate and nonprofit boards and advises organizations on AI, technology, cybersecurity, governance, and talent. She is also a frequent speaker on the future of work, AI, leadership, and economic development.

Kathy’s work is grounded in a simple belief: navigating an AI-enabled future requires curiosity, meaningful partnerships, and the courage to take thoughtful “big bets” in pursuit of a better future.

• Pan Seared Airline Chicken Breast, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Chef's Choice of Vegetable, Natural Chicken Jus
• Garlic Roasted Pork Loin, Herb Roasted Red Potatoes, Chef's Choice of Vegetable, Door County Cherry Jus
• Roasted Vegetable and Tomato Ragout, Tomato, Bell Peppers, Baby Kale, Cannellini Beans, Fresh Basil, Quinoa

Nominations
Nominations for ATHENA 2026 are now open, please submit all nominations by October 09, 2026 through this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H7CSQFN
 

ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Our prestigious community, national, and global ATHENA Leadership Awards recognize outstanding women, allies, pioneering leaders, and organizations. More than 8,500 recipients, from world-renowned icons to community champions, have been celebrated. Leaders that embody The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership and open doors of leadership opportunity for women and girls around the world.

The Eight Principles of Enlighted Leadership are:

 

This year we will be celebrating 3 ATHENA Leadership Award Categories for Sheboygan County:

• ATHENA Leadership Award recognizes accomplished individuals who actively support women in attaining professional excellence and leadership skills. This award highlights what recipients have accomplished in addition to ways they have paved the path for future successes. ATHENA Leadership Award inspires others to achieve excellence by honoring exceptional leaders.
• ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award celebrates emerging leaders. Candidates should be 18-40 years of age and have taken significant steps in their career journey, as well as serving as a role model for women and girls.
• ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award recognizes businesses and organizations that ignite, amplify, and celebrate leaders that are women. This award highlights organizations that are creating a culture of inclusive leadership and implementing processes that create opportunities for women’s professional advancement and growth.

CRITERIA
ATHENA Leadership Award Nominees must meet each of the following criteria:

• Demonstrates The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership in their personal, professional, or organizational life.
• Demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession.
• Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community.
• Clearly serves as a role model for women and girls, both personally and professionally.

QUALIFICATIONS

• ATHENA nominees must service, work, and/or live in Sheboygan County where they empower and actively assist women in our community.
• ATHENA Leadership Award Nominees may represent either the for-profit or not-for-profit sector.
• Previous ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients are not eligible for nomination, however past nominees may be nominated again

All nominees will be recognized at the Award Dinner on November 12. Winners will be announced at the Award Dinner.