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Led by executives from some of the world’s most notable brands, Athena Events bring the world’s top leaders together to learn, share, network, and rise. Whether you’re seeking self-guided learning or a “classroom” experience (led by an expert alongside a cohort of peers), Athena’s executive learning provides right-time executive education backed by real-world experience.
Upcoming Events
Join us for a Salon or Meetup to get a peek inside our community! Peer Groups and Learning Circles are exclusively for members - log in here
- ALL events
- A Look Inside Athena
- Peer Group
- Salon
- Orientation
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena is held monthly for prospect members to come and understand how Athena works. They will learn more about the backstory of Athena, see a tour of our platform, and have the opportunity to discuss more of what they are interested in and ask questions about joining our community.
Salons
Learn about the most pressing topics facing executives today in an intimate, yet casual, virtual setting. Hosted by board directors and leaders from the world's top brands.
Meetups
Gather with Athena members in your area for a casual, in-person Meetup. These are planned by request and hosted by Athena members in various cities. If you're interested in hosting and/or joining a meetup in the future, reach out to the Member Success Team and let them know.
Peer Groups
We have an incredible community of female leaders at Athena and we want to bring you closer together! Join a Peer Group and build a network of peers you can engage with for guidance, lessons learned and insights around a shared interest. Choose a topic that most interests you or drop in and out of multiple peer groups as it suits you best. You’ll find at least one peer group available to join every week. Each live session goes for one hour, no preparation is needed, just show up as you are. We look forward to seeing you there!
Learning Circles
A Learning Circle is an opportunity to connect with a small group of other Athena members in a focused yet casual setting, creating accountability around targeted learning to assist you in achieving your goals. Over the course of 6 sessions, club members will meet every 2 weeks to participate in an organic, peer-led discussion of the session's "chapters" consisting of 1-2 Athena salons which are to be reviewed on your own prior to the group session. When joining, members are committing to completing all 6 sessions.
Guided Networking
Typically led by one of Athena's coaches, networking events provide members an opportunity to meet one another in a smaller intimate and virtual setting.
Partner Events
These are typically in-person events led by Coco and our partnering companies on topics that are relevant to the industry and audience of our business partners.
Workshops
A workshop is an interactive session for members to actively practice something, such as their pitch. These sessions typically involve breakout rooms, member to member feedback and are not recorded.
Orientations
For members new to Athena looking for ways to engage, these bi-weekly orientations led by an Athena Member Success Manager, provide a live tour of Athena, member success insights, and a chance to get questions answered.
Enterprise Events
Athena customizes virtual learning events with expert business leaders tailored to a unique company’s needs. These events cultivate cross-functional community, development, and learning across the partner organization.
Other
Athena listens and we're always adding new event types and opportunities for members to engage. See what new events we are currently offering members.
No Upcoming Events Found.
Salon
Boardroom Table Stakes - CyberSecurity
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Myrna Soto
Peer Group
People and Culture
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Alisia Gill, Sue Olson
Salon
A Talk with Rafael Ilishayev, co-CEO of Gopuff
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Rafael Ilishayev, Suja Chandrasekaran
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Alice Brennan
Salon
Info Session on Athena Academy Board Readiness Course
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Salon
Serving on PE Boards - What They Look For/How They Differ
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Jeri Harman
Salon
The Audit Committee 101
Host: Carol Coughlin
Experts: Elizabeth Salomon
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Women in Venture
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Lilia Shirman, Shauna Turner
Peer Group
Compensation Committee
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Suja Chandrasekaran
Peer Group
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Salon
How to Write a Book
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: George Randle
Peer Group
Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Salon
"Ask Me Anything" with Experienced Board Director Jorge Titinger
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Experts: Jorge Titinger
Peer Group
Raising Investments for Entrepreneurs
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Coco Brown
Salon
Navigating Difficult Conversations
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Christy Abele
Salon
An Honest Conversation about Poverty and Climate Action
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Jamie Coats
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Alice Brennan
Salon
Ensuring A Resilient Value Chain When Disruption is the Norm
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Edna Conway
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Salon
"Ask Me Anything" with Experienced Board Director Angela Archon
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Experts: Angela Archon
Salon
"Ask Me Anything" with Athena Coach Sheryl Kline
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Experts: Sheryl Kline
Peer Group
Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Peer Group
Women in Venture
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Lilia Shirman, Shauna Turner
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Succeeding in Your First Board Role
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Cate Goethals
Salon
"Ask Me Anything" with Coco Brown: Starting a Company
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Raising Investments for Entrepreneurs
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Mirna Daouk, Anna Goranson
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Women in Venture
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Lilia Shirman, Shauna Turner
Peer Group
Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Peer Group
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Peer Group
Raising Investments for Entrepreneurs
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Succeeding in Your First Board Role
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Women in Venture
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Lilia Shirman, Shauna Turner
Peer Group
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Peer Group
Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Peer Group
Succeeding in Your First Board Role
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
Raising Investments for Entrepreneurs
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Category Stewards
Meet Athena’s category stewards
Athena’s Category Stewards are members and partners who are experts in an area of business acumen essential for every leader who wants to advance and stay current. They lead salons, identify speakers, and ensure our executive learning library is robust and relevant.
Financial Acumen
Led by Carol Coughlin
Every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director needs to understand the financial perspective of the business, from how to read the financials, to how budgeting works, to understanding earnings calls, and everything between. Carol Coughlin is an experienced public company board leader and audit committee chair skilled in board refreshment, strategic alternatives, and M&A. She helps Athena members master the finance fundamentals they need to know as executives and board directors.
Legal Acumen
Led by Marianne Dwight
Every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director needs to understand the legal perspective of the business, from setting up entity structures, to understanding agreements, to how the regulatory environment evolves, and everything in between. Marianne Dwight is an experienced attorney and strategic business advisor who helps finance industry professionals implement best business practices with a particular focus on ESG. She helps Athena members understand the regulatory landscape and the legal essentials every executive should know.
Environmental Oversight
Led by Heidi Harmon
In today’s world, it is essential for every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director needs to understand environmental oversight and core matters of sustainability. Athena member and climate champion Heidi Harmon ran for mayor of San Luis Obispo knowing it would force a conversation around the environment. Today, she guides the Athena community in learning innovative strategies to address climate at the individual, company, and board levels.
Women & Policy
Led by Heidi Harmon
Policy shapes business, and business shapes policy. Leaders from Sr. Directors to Board Directors need to understand not only how policy is shaped, but how to influence policy and how to engage in the policy-making process. Heidi Harmon is a public affairs director who served three terms as mayor of San Luis Obispo, where she led the city to adopt the most ambitious carbon neutrality goal in the US. She guides the women in Athena to become changemakers in their homes, communities, and companies.
Women & Wealth
Led by Tama Smith
Historically, it has been the male partner who manages the wealth and wealth creation, even as women have overseen most of the day-to-day spending and big investments in living. It is essential that women understand wealth creation is optimized, how to oversee it, and how to plan for the financial side of life holistically. Tama Smith is the innovative leader, strategist, and board director leading Brighton Jones’ Women Living a Richer Life division. She helps women leaders embrace financial well-being as a core component of their overall well-being.
Risk & Crisis for Boards
Led by Andrea Bonime-Blanc
We live in a global society and an increasingly interconnected world. Leaders from Sr. Directors to Board Directors need to understand the risks and opportunities with cyber, technology, society, reputation, and everything in between to successfully navigate today’s complex business world. Andrea Bonime-Blanc is the CEO & Founder of GEC Risk Advisory and a global governance, risk, ESG, ethics, cyber, and crisis strategist. Andrea leads Athena members in governance deep-dives, helping them understand critical risks and ESG issues facing modern boards.
The CEO
Led by Michele Bettencourt
Where you want to be a CEO, or engage well with one, it’s vital that every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director understand how CEOs operate, think, engaged with various constituents, and evolve in their role. Michele Bettencourt is an experienced public and private company CEO. Michele draws from her vast experience as CEO of Verity, Autonomy ZANTAZ, Coverity, and Imperva and later as a board director to inform Athena’s “CEO” category, covering best practices for the modern CEO.
Community Partners
Meet Athena’s category partners
Athena partners with leading organizations to offer best-in-class executive education around the topics critical for success in the C-suite and boardroom.
Board Success
Led by Govenda
Athena covers every topic imaginable for the modern board member who is curious and ambitious about staying informed in a fast-moving world. Athena partners with Govenda to ensure the Salons we offer don’t miss any important boardroom issues, and that our content stays refreshed and robust.
People, Culture & Organizational Design
Led by People Tech Partners
Athena covers all topics related to the oversight of people, the design of the organization, and the success of culture. Every leader is a people leader. And every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director needs to understand the people perspective of the business – from new ways of work, to how executive performance is measured, to how to oversee culture, and everything in between. We partner with People Tech Partners to ensure our Salons and content is timely, relevant, and comprehensive.
Compensation & Equity
Led by Syndio
Every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director needs to understand how compensation and equity work – from how the compensation philosophy is set, to how equity structures evolve, and everything in between. We partner with the workplace equity platform Syndio to ensure we cover all the relevant topics within the evolution and best practices of compensation and equity.
Preparing for an IPO
Led by Nasdaq
We partner with Nasdaq to present best practices for executives and board directors pre- and post-IPO, from building your pre-IPO board to ESG fundamentals for public companies.
Community Leaders
Meet Athena’s community leaders
Athena’s community leaders bring our members together around topics of interest – from specific learning goals to industry best practices and more.
ClimateTech Salon Series
Led by Susan Gladwin
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law Peer Group
Led by Alice Brennan
Navigating a Career Transition Peer Group & Succeeding in Your First Board Role Peer Group
Led by Cate Goethals
Sales & Marketing Leaders Peer Group
Led by Rebecca Jones
Women in Venture Peer Group
Led by Lilia Shirman
Life Science Professionals Peer Group
Led by Barbara Troupin
Compensation Committee Peer Group
Led by Suja Chandrasekaran
Nom/Gov Committee Peer Group
Led by Kimberly Alexy
Sustainable Capitalism Salon Series
Led by Erin Essenmacher
Athena Rising Foundation Nominating Committee
Led by Purvee Kondal / Tahjar Roamartinez
Athena Advisory Board
Led by Andrea Bonime-Blanc, Carol Coughlin, Tahjar Roamartinez, Purvee Kondal, Erin Essenmacher, Tama Smith
Athena’s Advisory Board works with the CEO and leadership team to deeply understand the business’s mission and strategy to support the evolution of Athena’s offerings. The members of Athena’s Advisory Board are leaders in the Athena community who bring a wide range of backgrounds, leadership experiences, and life experiences to this rich community of the top women leaders in business.
Meet Athena’s category stewards
Athena’s Category Stewards are members and partners who are experts in an area of business acumen essential for every leader who wants to advance and stay current. They lead salons, identify speakers, and ensure our executive learning library is robust and relevant.
Financial Acumen
Led by Carol Coughlin
Every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director needs to understand the financial perspective of the business, from how to read the financials, to how budgeting works, to understanding earnings calls, and everything between. Carol Coughlin is an experienced public company board leader and audit committee chair skilled in board refreshment, strategic alternatives, and M&A. She helps Athena members master the finance fundamentals they need to know as executives and board directors.
Legal Acumen
Led by Marianne Dwight
Every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director needs to understand the legal perspective of the business, from setting up entity structures, to understanding agreements, to how the regulatory environment evolves, and everything in between. Marianne Dwight is an experienced attorney and strategic business advisor who helps finance industry professionals implement best business practices with a particular focus on ESG. She helps Athena members understand the regulatory landscape and the legal essentials every executive should know.
Environmental Oversight
Led by Heidi Harmon
In today’s world, it is essential for every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director needs to understand environmental oversight and core matters of sustainability. Athena member and climate champion Heidi Harmon ran for mayor of San Luis Obispo knowing it would force a conversation around the environment. Today, she guides the Athena community in learning innovative strategies to address climate at the individual, company, and board levels.
Women & Policy
Led by Heidi Harmon
Policy shapes business, and business shapes policy. Leaders from Sr. Directors to Board Directors need to understand not only how policy is shaped, but how to influence policy and how to engage in the policy-making process. Heidi Harmon is a public affairs director who served three terms as mayor of San Luis Obispo, where she led the city to adopt the most ambitious carbon neutrality goal in the US. She guides the women in Athena to become changemakers in their homes, communities, and companies.
Women & Wealth
Led by Tama Smith
Historically, it has been the male partner who manages the wealth and wealth creation, even as women have overseen most of the day-to-day spending and big investments in living. It is essential that women understand wealth creation is optimized, how to oversee it, and how to plan for the financial side of life holistically. Tama Smith is the innovative leader, strategist, and board director leading Brighton Jones’ Women Living a Richer Life division. She helps women leaders embrace financial well-being as a core component of their overall well-being.
Risk & Crisis for Boards
Led by Andrea Bonime-Blanc
We live in a global society and an increasingly interconnected world. Leaders from Sr. Directors to Board Directors need to understand the risks and opportunities with cyber, technology, society, reputation, and everything in between to successfully navigate today’s complex business world. Andrea Bonime-Blanc is the CEO & Founder of GEC Risk Advisory and a global governance, risk, ESG, ethics, cyber, and crisis strategist. Andrea leads Athena members in governance deep-dives, helping them understand critical risks and ESG issues facing modern boards.
The CEO
Led by Michele Bettencourt
Where you want to be a CEO, or engage well with one, it’s vital that every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director understand how CEOs operate, think, engaged with various constituents, and evolve in their role. Michele Bettencourt is an experienced public and private company CEO. Michele draws from her vast experience as CEO of Verity, Autonomy ZANTAZ, Coverity, and Imperva and later as a board director to inform Athena’s “CEO” category, covering best practices for the modern CEO.
Meet Athena’s category partners
Athena partners with leading organizations to offer best-in-class executive education around the topics critical for success in the C-suite and boardroom.
Board Success
Led by Govenda
Athena covers every topic imaginable for the modern board member who is curious and ambitious about staying informed in a fast-moving world. Athena partners with Govenda to ensure the Salons we offer don’t miss any important boardroom issues, and that our content stays refreshed and robust.
People, Culture & Organizational Design
Led by People Tech Partners
Athena covers all topics related to the oversight of people, the design of the organization, and the success of culture. Every leader is a people leader. And every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director needs to understand the people perspective of the business – from new ways of work, to how executive performance is measured, to how to oversee culture, and everything in between. We partner with People Tech Partners to ensure our Salons and content is timely, relevant, and comprehensive.
Compensation & Equity
Led by Syndio
Every leader from Sr. Director to Board Director needs to understand how compensation and equity work – from how the compensation philosophy is set, to how equity structures evolve, and everything in between. We partner with the workplace equity platform Syndio to ensure we cover all the relevant topics within the evolution and best practices of compensation and equity.
Preparing for an IPO
Led by Nasdaq
We partner with Nasdaq to present best practices for executives and board directors pre- and post-IPO, from building your pre-IPO board to ESG fundamentals for public companies.
Meet Athena’s community leaders
Athena’s community leaders bring our members together around topics of interest – from specific learning goals to industry best practices and more.
ClimateTech Salon Series
Led by Susan Gladwin
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law Peer Group
Led by Alice Brennan
Navigating a Career Transition Peer Group & Succeeding in Your First Board Role Peer Group
Led by Cate Goethals
Sales & Marketing Leaders Peer Group
Led by Rebecca Jones
Women in Venture Peer Group
Led by Lilia Shirman
Life Science Professionals Peer Group
Led by Barbara Troupin
Compensation Committee Peer Group
Led by Suja Chandrasekaran
Nom/Gov Committee Peer Group
Led by Kimberly Alexy
Sustainable Capitalism Salon Series
Led by Erin Essenmacher
Athena Rising Foundation Nominating Committee
Led by Purvee Kondal / Tahjar Roamartinez
Athena Advisory Board
Led by Andrea Bonime-Blanc, Carol Coughlin, Tahjar Roamartinez, Purvee Kondal, Erin Essenmacher, Tama Smith
Athena’s Advisory Board works with the CEO and leadership team to deeply understand the business’s mission and strategy to support the evolution of Athena’s offerings. The members of Athena’s Advisory Board are leaders in the Athena community who bring a wide range of backgrounds, leadership experiences, and life experiences to this rich community of the top women leaders in business.
Testimonials
What our members are saying
“As an Aspiring Director, the virtual salons provide a flexible framework to round out my development.”
Kiki Katz
“I really enjoy the weekly virtual salons hosted by Athena Alliance. Each week the topics are timely, provide excellent content, and offer a great intimate way to connect with other corporate board members. The sessions rock!”
Rhonda Mims
“There is so much valuable content in the Learning Library. The Internet is a world of free content, but it’s very hard to find the right, targeted information. Athena’s topics are specific and succinct, from leaders who have “been there, done that”, and who are available to offer valuable executive perspectives that you can’t get elsewhere.”
Purvee Kondal, NACD.DC
“Athena Virtual Salons have been a highlight in my board preparedness – injecting real world conversations, education and connections on board competencies. All in a safe and collaborative space! Love it.”
Nithya Ruff
“Athena has been a powerful platform for me to dive into a variety of topics for board readiness on a schedule that works for me. Virtual Salons in particular are a hit with experienced speakers and engaged women community.”
Bhawna Singh
“The Virtual Salons have been a great way to not only further my knowledge about the boardroom, but also to develop some great connections that have been valuable in my journey to finding the right board positions. I look forward to continuing to learn more best practices about how to navigate the boardroom and expand my network of amazing women that are so eager to help, mentor and guide me on my road to my next board position. Thank you Athena Alliance!”
Millicent Tracy
“I was fortunate to host a Virtual Salon for Athena. Not only was it nice to share my experiences, but more importantly to engage with members who brought different experiences and asked thoughtful, provaocative questions. As a result of hosting this event, I was brought opportunities from other members to advise their companies. Additionally, I met many phenomenal women leaders that I can now count as resources in the future.”
Gail Marcus
“Athena is a fantastic resource, their salons are engaging and on point.”
Keysha Bailey
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