2026 Nomination Form - ATHENA/Young ATHENA Award

2026 ATHENA Awards Program of Greater Pittsburgh

Nomination Form - ATHENA & Young ATHENA Awards
The ATHENA Awards Program of Greater Pittsburgh distinguishes itself from other regional awards through its emphasis on women mentoring other women and girls.

ATHENA Award nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Actively assist women and/or girls in reaching their full leadership potential
- Provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in the community
- Demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession
Nomination form deadline: EOB Friday, June 26*
*Please note: this deadline will not be extended and all nominations must be submitted by 5:00pmET.

Save the Event Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
Click here to learn more about the ATHENA Awards!
Note: Self-nominations are encouraged and accepted.
Please be sure to review the Top 10 Tips on Writing Great ATHENA Nominations as well as the How to Write a Winning Nomination video tutorial below. Additionally, please be sure to include testimonials as part of your nomination paperwork in the About the Nominee section below.

Top 10 Tips on Writing Great ATHENA Nominations

Pittsburgh Magazine Publisher Betsy Benson has shared this advice on writing
nominations for the ATHENA Award and the ATHENA Young Professional Award.
1. Tell the nominee what you’re doing. This can’t be a surprise; you will need to interview her and people who know her.
2. Ask for help reviewing the nomination. Even editors need editors.
3. Share the load. The marketing, public relations, or human resources departments in the nominee’s organization may be available to help.
4. Consider hiring a freelance writer, especially if you’re pressed for time.
5. Skip the adjectives and focus on anecdotes and examples. One potent verb is worth three clichéd adjectives.
6. In that same vein, focus on results – not superlatives.
7. Don’t exceed three pages of text. (Each selection committee member will review 30+ nomination packages.)
8. Don’t focus exclusively on the present. Try to establish a pattern of achievement over time. For example, what was the nominee doing as a young adult? Leadership examples from her time in college or from early work experience just may give her the edge.
9. Include direct quotes about the impact the nominee has had on individuals you interviewed.
10. Remember: ATHENA Awards go to women who "actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential." Invest time to quantify that; it can make the difference when the selection committee is deciding among the top candidates.
Click here for more information on How to Write a Winning Nomination with examples from past Awardees' nomination forms.
ATHENA Award Nominee Information
Award Type (ATHENA or Young ATHENA*)*
*Young ATHENA nominees must be between 21-35 years of age at time of nomination
Nominee Notification*

I certify that the entrant has been notified of the nomination.
Nominee's Full Name (as it will appear in print/please double-check spelling)*

First NameLast Name
Nominee's Preferred Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Is this the nominee's home or business address?*
Nominee's Job Title*
Nominee's Company/Organization*
Nominee's Cell Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Nominee's Email Address*
About the Nominee

Supplementary documentation or external files/links/articles will not be accepted. Please use the fields below to include all information you wish to be used for the judging process.
Provide specific examples of how the nominee assists women and/or girls in reaching their full leadership potential:*
Provide specific examples of how the nominee provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community:*
Provide specific examples of how the nominee demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession:*
Nominator Information
Nominator's Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Nominator's Job Title*
Nominator's Company/Organization*
Nominator's Preferred Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Is this the nominator's home or business address?*
Nominator's Cell Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Nominator's Email Address*
example@example.com
Relationship to Nominee*

Less than 150 words0/150
Demographic Information

This information is optional, will only be used internally, will not be shared or used in judging process, and will be kept strictly confidential.
Please specify nominee's age at the time of nomination:
Please note: Young ATHENA nominees must be between 21-35 years of age at time of nomination
Please specify nominee's ethnicity/ethnicities - multiple options may be selected:

African AmericanAsianCaucasianHawaiian or Pacific IslanderLatina or HispanicNative AmericanOther/UnknownPrefer not to say
What is the highest degree or level of education nominee has completed?

High SchoolBachelor's DegreeMaster's DegreePhD or higherTrade SchoolOther/UnknownPrefer not to say
Questions about this form or the ATHENA Awards?
Email us at: mcolf@pghtech.org
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2026 ATHENA Awards Program of Greater Pittsburgh

ATHENA Award Nominee Information

About the Nominee

Nominator Information

Demographic Information