ATHENA Award Winner Announced
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Southwest Indiana Chamber and A Network of Evansville Women have announced the 2015 ATHENA Award winner. Youth First Inc. President Parri Black is this year's recipient.
February 27, 2015
News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Parri Black, president and chief executive officer of Youth First, Inc., today was recognized as recipient of the 2015 ATHENA Award®, presented by the Southwest Indiana Chamber in partnership with A Network of Evansville Women (ANEW).
A native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Black graduated from Northwestern University and began her career in television journalism. After living in West Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Tennessee, Black moved with her family to Evansville in 1998 and joined the WNIN staff. While working on documentaries about the area, Black became familiar with the work of Youth First, Inc.
Since joining Youth First, Inc. in April 2004, Black has grown the nonprofit organization’s annual budget from $800,000 to $3.1 million and its staff from 14 to 54 employees.
Black was among 10 finalists celebrated at the 24th annual ATHENA Award® Luncheon, sponsored by Deaconess Health System, The Women’s Hospital, and Evansville Courier & Press/Evansville Business Journal. Other award finalists were Maria Del Rio Hoover, Caron Leader, Carol McClintock, Janet Raisor, Sue Schriber, Lee Ann Shafer, Erika Taylor, Amy Walker, and Jamie Wicks.
Black joins a distinguished group of past ATHENA Award® recipients, including Sheila Huff (2014), Barb Butler (2012), Lynn Miller Pease (2011), Kathy Schoettlin (2010), and Susan Hardwick (2009). A full list of past ATHENA Award® recipients can be viewed at www.swinchamber.com/ATHENA.
About ATHENA International and the ATHENA Award® Program
Chicago-based ATHENA International is a nonprofit organization founded in 1982 by Martha Mertz. In addition to supporting, developing, and honoring women leaders, the organization seeks to create balance in leadership worldwide and inspire women to achieve their full potential. Since the program’s inception in 1982, nearly 6,000 leaders in more than 500 communities have received the ATHENA Award®.
About Southwest Indiana Chamber
Since 1915, the Southwest Indiana Chamber has been a trusted ally of the regional business community. Today we are one of the state’s largest, strongest, and most impactful nonprofit business organizations, representing a total membership of nearly 1,700 businesses, organizations, and agencies. About one-third of members have invested in our organization for 10 or more years and 71% of our member businesses have 25 or fewer employees. Our initiatives include Tri-State Manufacturers’ Alliance, Tri-State World Trade Network, Young Professionals Alliance, Diverse Business Alliance, Family Business Alliance, Posey County Alliance, Downtown Alliance, Restaurant Alliance, and Nonprofit Alliance.
Learn more about the Chamber, our members, and the Southwest Indiana regional business community at www.swinchamber.com.
Source: Southwest Indiana Chamber