ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership, Inc., a 501(c)(3) that offers dynamic programs for professional women in Central Florida, is accepting applications for the 2021 Class of ATHENA NextGen. This program provides a toolkit for developing emerging leaders as well as a 360 degree look at how to shape business mentoring in our community. Application deadline is March 12.

With everyone’s safety in mind, this year’s NextGen program will be held virtually for a reduced price of $450 per person. This includes full registration, educational materials, and a copy of Becoming ATHENA: Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership by Martha Mertz, Founder of ATHENA International.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply at https://conta.cc/370OKN3.

The ATHENA NextGen program consists of eight sessions, each focusing on one of ATHENA’s Eight Leadership Principles: Live Authentically, Learn Constantly, Advocate Fiercely, Act Courageously, Foster Collaboration, Build Relationships, Give Back, and Celebrate. Beginning in May and running through December, the sessions are held virtually once a month from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Emerging women leaders or veteran professionals who have recently re-entered the workforce or embarked on a new career path are encouraged to apply.

More than 300 Central Florida professional women have participated in the NextGen program over the past seven years. These incredible individuals represent a wide array of companies and organizations that creates a very diverse cohort each year.

“The NextGen program provides a unique venue for open and honest dialogue about the successes and struggles women leaders face today,” said Melanie DiVirgilio, Vice President of Recruiting for ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership, Inc. “Each year, the women who go through this program bring new perspectives and add to the incredible group of NextGen alumnae. We look forward to connecting with everyone in our new virtual platform!”

For questions about the ATHENA NextGen application process, please contact Melanie DiVirgilio at mdivirgilio@bbandt.com.

ABOUT ATHENA INTERNATIONAL

ATHENA International is a global non-profit organization providing a proven framework and distribution model dedicated to building a global pipeline of women leaders “from the classroom to the boardroom,” particularly in underrepresented areas such as technology and medicine. Since 1982, ATHENA International has empowered women leaders to reach their full potential through leadership training, their trademarked ATHENA Powerlink® entrepreneurial advisory boards, and through global, national, local, young professional and organizational ATHENA Leadership awards. Unlike other leadership training offerings, ATHENA International is the only organization that provides an age-appropriate continuum toolkit for elementary school, middle school, high school, college, corporate and board candidates which has also been proven effective for women incarcerated. All programs are based on the philosophy of the transformative, research-based ATHENA Leadership Model (ALM) and its eight principles of enlightened leadership, underwritten by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Through the generosity of major underwriters and a unique, affordable licensing fee model, ATHENA International leverages local host communities to scale its footprint by partnering with hundreds of chambers of commerce, colleges & universities, women’s organizations and affiliate communities in 48 states, 11 countries and growing. Since inception, over 7,200 female and male leaders have been recognized in 500 regions, impacting more than 500,000 members annually. For more information, visit www.athenainternational.org.