Rosario-Escher, Divers, HCR Receive 2019 ATHENA Awards Honoring Women Leaders in the Rochester and Finger Lakes Region
ROCHESTER, NY (January 24, 2019) Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and its Women’s Council affiliate presented IBERO-American Action League President and CEO Hilda Rosario-Escher with their 33nd annual ATHENA International Award. Shaquana Divers, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield Executive Program Manager, received the fifth annual ATHENA Young Professional Award, and HCR Home Care took home the second annual ATHENA Organizational Award.
The ATHENA International Award is given annually to a professional female leader who has demonstrated significant achievements in business, community service, and the professional advancement of women.
For the past 30 plus years, Hilda Rosario-Escher has dedicated both her personal and professional life to helping others. At IBERO, Hilda transformed the dual-language human services agency and installed women in several leadership roles. Governor Cuomo has appointed Hilda to positions in the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises Council and Women and Girls Council among others.
The ATHENA Young Professional Award recognizes emerging leaders in the 30 to 45 year old range who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession. Recipients also provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life of others in the community while serving as a role model for young women both personally and professionally.
Shaquana Divers led the $2.8 million Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield Safety Net Future State Redesign project, which improves quality of healthcare for low-income and vulnerable populations. The project has impacted 300,000 health plan members and saved over $10 million in healthcare costs. Shaquana serves as vice president of the Rochester Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, a national organization empowering African American children and as founding board member of Princess for a Day.
The ATHENA Organizational Award goes to a woman-owned or woman-led business or organization that creates a culture encouraging women employees to achieve their full leadership potential and supports leadership development opportunities for women and girls in the community.
HCR Home Care, led by CEO Louise Woerner, focuses on the advancement of women at all levels of the organization. HCR’s CEO, President, and Chief Clinical Officer are women. Its Administrator for the Licensed Agency, Assistant Corporate Secretary, and three of HCR’s four Directors of Patient Service are women. At the department level, 54 managers are women. With a history of promoting from within, HCR is known as an organization that supports personal and professional development of women who aspire to achieve their full leadership potential. Because leadership is often best learned in various environments and experiences, HCR encourages women to volunteer, join, and take leadership positions in other organizations. HCR pays the dues and meeting costs, also supporting women in contributions and roles needed for events and fundraisers of the organizations in which they participate. Employees also take their leadership and professional development learned at HCR and share it with the community.
Recent ATHENA Award recipients include:
- 2018: Sharon Napier, CEO, Partners + Napier
- 2017: Nannette Nocon, Nocon & Associates Private Wealth Advisor
- 2016: Elaine Spaull, Executive Director, Center for Youth
- 2015: Amy Tait, Executive Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, Broadstone Real Estate
- 2014: Dr. Lynne Maquat, Director, U of R School of Medicine Center for RNA Biology
Recent ATHENA Young Professional Award recipients include:
- 2018: Kim Allen, Managing Partner, Communications, Dixon Schwabl
- 2017: Melisza Campos, Store Operations, Wegmans
- 2016: Melanie Wolk, Partner at Trevett Cristo Salzer & Andolina, P.C.
- 2015: Claudia Burcke, Project Manager, Trillium Health
Recent ATHENA Organizational Award recipients include:
- 2018: Dixon Schwabl
CONTACT: Dan Smith, Sr. Director, Communications (585) 256-4616 Dan.Smith@GreaterRochesterChamber.com
