Karen Gunn, Associate Provost of Economic Development and Business Partnerships, Salt Lake Community College; Executive Director of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program and ARCS Utah member was honored as the 2015 ATHENA Award recipient at the 39th Annual American Express Women & Business Conference and Wells Fargo ATHENA Awards Luncheon on November 17, 2015.  The ATHENA Award, sponsored by Wells Fargo, is a prestigious national award presented annually to an active member of the Salt Lake Chamber who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in business, provides valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community, and assists women in reaching their full leadership potential.

Established in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan, the ATHENA Award ®Program is now administered from its Chicago, Illinois headquarters and boasts over 300 active communities in the United States, Canada, China, Russia and the United Kingdom. More than 5,000 individuals representing a wide variety of professions and businesses have received the ATHENA Award. Presented by local host organizations in partnership with ATHENA’s national underwriters, local businesses and individual sponsors the award practically demonstrates the quote from Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there.” The award takes the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture symbolizing the strength, courage and wisdom of the recipient.