Marnie Uhl, Mona Stephens, CASA Special Advocates honored for excellence.
“This part of Arizona produces so many strong, bright and resilient women! The nominees at the ATHENA Awards were standing on the shoulders of ‘sheroes,’” she said, “women like Sharlot Hall, Frances Munds, Viola Jimilla, Patricia Ann McGee, Grace Sparkes and many more – all inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame.”
As soft rock, played classically by the Prescott String Quartet, floated gently on the enthusiasm in the large banquet room, attendees sprang to their feet to usher in the region’s newest ATHENA Leadership Award recipients: Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Marnie Uhl, CASA for Kids Foundation Development Director Mona Stephens and CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates of Yavapai County.
“I am deeply honored to receive the ATHENA Leadership Award, a recognition that reflects my journey and the incredible support and inspiration of those around me,” said Uhl, a retired Los Angeles County deputy sheriff who has led the Prescott Valley Chamber for 19 years with a reputation for bringing positive growth and solidarity to the community. “This award strengthens my commitment to continuing to empower others and fostering leadership in our community.” Read more about Marnie Uhl on page 3.
“To receive the award and to be recognized is surreal and very humbling,” said Stephens, the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award recipient, who conducts workshops at Juvenile Court to teach at-risk kids creativity, resiliency and emotional intelligence. “It feels so wonderful to be seen, to be visible and to be praised for doing the right thing. I can show the kids in the mentor circle that change is possible. This is proof. It’s a powerful lesson – a powerful lesson for me, too!” Read more about Mona Stephens on page 14.
CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates of Yavapai County received the 2024 ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award. “All the volunteers and staff with CASA of Yavapai County feel incredibly grateful,” said CASA Dependency Court Manager Amber Martin. “While we do not do this work to be recognized, it was wonderful to be nominated and awarded this great honor for our efforts to advocate for children in the foster care system. We hope that by reading about us in the Quad Cities Business News, other citizens in Yavapai County will become aware of the CASA program and might become interested in being a Court Appointed Special Advocate to offer support to families and children during this challenging time in their lives.”
West received a rousing standing ovation after sharing her message, “S.U.C.C.E.S.S., How to Get It and How to Keep It,” expressing the importance of having a sense of humor, staying challenged, making ethics a priority, incorporating service into your life, putting yourself first “once in a while,” enjoying the passage of time and turning a crisis into an opportunity.
“Getting let go from a job turned into the biggest gift of my life…adopting my daughter from Mother Teresa’s orphanage in Honduras,” she said.
“It was a great honor, on behalf of QCBN, to recognize women in leadership throughout the Quad Cities – mature women, young women and women leading organizations, who work tirelessly to lift others and make our communities great,” said Quad Cities Business News and Flagstaff Business News Advertising Manager Linda Thein. “A huge thanks to our sponsors and congratulations to all our finalists. Every single one is deserving of the award.”
“I was bowled over by the excellence and quality of work displayed by all the ATHENA nominees,” said West. “Soooooo much talent among all the women of all ages. I am just glad I wasn’t on the panel of judges! The ceremony was at such a beautiful venue. The afternoon was beyond inspirational and bravo to the sponsors as well, who helped make the magic happen.” QCBN
By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN
Photo by Kay Lyons: Beneath a sign stating, “anything’s possible,” the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Award recipients gathered in the spirit of excellence, mentorship and giving back. CASA Dependency Court Manager Amber Martin, CASA Community Coordinator Quinci Castleberry, Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Marnie Uhl, pioneering television news anchorwoman Mary Jo West, CASA for Kids Foundation Development Director Mona Stephens, Yavapai County Juvenile Court Judge Anna Young and QCBN Editor Bonnie Stevens shared in the celebration.
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