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lansingchamber.org ATHENA WIN

ATHENA WIN: The Power of Community and Connection

By: Leslie Batchelor, ATHENA WIN Board Chair, Director of Health and Equity and Community Partnerships,
Sparrow Health System

s leaders, business owners and supporters of the to the Lansing Regional Chamber
Lansing region, the end of the year is a natural of Commerce and the community
Atime for reflection. A time to celebrate successes, we’ve built with our members, board
acknowledge challenges, and to seek opportunities to of directors, sponsors and committee
grow and improve. As business leaders, business owners volunteers. We are deeply grateful
and supporters of the Lansing region, taking time to to the Chamber for recognizing the
reflect means taking time to recognize the power of value of a strong, local women’s
community and connection. leadership organization and
providing the support to make
ATHENA Women’s Interest Network (WIN) has our engine run. We know that the
enjoyed a tremendously successful year of growth Batchelor time and talents of our board and
and opportunity. We’ve gained new members from a committee volunteers along with
diverse range of organizations. We’ve added new events the participation of an engaged membership creates
and seen record attendance. And we’ve elevated our the powerful community we call ATHENA. Truly, we are
professional development offerings with valuable in- stronger together than we could ever be alone.
person learning opportunities. We have been intentional
in our programming. Whether it’s our Girls Night Out, As 2023 comes to a close and we embark upon a new
Professional Growth and Development series, or annual year ahead, we encourage you to get to know ATHENA
Evening of Empowerment – morning or evening, small WIN. Join us as a member organization, event participant,
gathering to large event, formal agenda or informal sponsor, or committee member – so that you too can
structure – we have something for everyone. experience the power of community and connection.

In our time of reflection, we know that this success For more information, visit lansingchamber.org/
would not have been possible without our connection athenawin. l

During ATHENA WIN’s November Professional Growth & Development program, Gina Lisenby, founder of
Revelation Road, emphasized building a resilience plan to stay grounded and confident in yourself. She also
emphasized the importance of resourcefulness, mindset, and connection in driving continuous change,
promoting equity, and fostering innovation. Although we may face unknown or uncertain circumstances
that are beyond our control, we always have the power to control our reactions towards them. Your journey is
unique and valuable. In the words of Gina Lisenby, “Everyone is on a journey, and every journey matters."

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