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ATHENA WIN: An Evening of Empowerment

sold-out crowd of 200 filled sponsors United Electric and
the room at Crowne Plaza Sparrow Health and gift sponsors
Lansing West on Thursday, MSU Federal Credit Union, Ngage
Sept. 30 for ATHENA WIN’s annual Management and AT&T. WLNS-
Evening of Empowerment. The TV News 6 and the Lansing
evening, which is the biggest event Regional Chamber of Commerce
of the year for ATHENA WIN, was an provided support with promotion,
inspiring showcase the journey of accounting and registration.
successful women.
Over the past five years, the Evening
“The event allows us to highlight Geohegan Hengesbach of Empowerment has grown into
the strengths of successful women, a premier program in the region.
their challenges, the obstacles they have overcome,” said Organizers promise it will continue to grow.
Brenda Geohegan, event co-chair.
“Next year it is going to be rocking,” said Susan Hengesbach,
The Evening of Empowerment also serves as an opportunity event co-chair. “It gets bigger and better every year.”
to recognize the ATHENA Leadership Award recipient. This
year’s ATHENA honoree Elaine Hardy inspired the crowd ATHENA WIN works to empower local women in the
with her remarks, as did keynote speaker, Amanda Sauer of community. The organization sponsors several events,
Pittsburgh, who was the first female football referee in the including Girls Night Out. Executive Connections is a
Big Ten Conference. 12-month program that offers monthly coaching and
mentoring to participants from community leaders who
The event was supported by several key sponsors, including donate their time. ATHENA WIN also sponsors outing tours
the keynote sponsors, PNC and AF Group, beverage of leading organizations in the community. l

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