The Board of Directors of the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce were pleased to host the 35th annual Triangle East ATHENA Leadership Award® Celebration on Thursday, November 3rd. This event at the Selma Civic Center, presented by Call Pernell, Inc., honored eleven nominees, featured keynote speaker Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, and highlighted the qualities of the ATHENA Award.
The prestigious award is presented to an exemplary leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way and, most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential.
The 2022 Triangle East ATHENA Award recipient is Dana Wooten, President & CEO of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. Dana is an engaging, resourceful, and strategic community administrator with over 17 years in executive-level nonprofit management. She directs initiatives in areas of investor relations, business to business connectivity, business advocacy, community enrichment, economic development, workforce development, and education in Clayton, NC. Under her leadership, the organization has increased in size and impact, as well as garnered many awards. Dana is dedicated to improving the quality of life for others in the community and she prides herself “in recognizing leadership qualities in others while providing opportunities to let them shine”.
One recent example of this was the first-ever ElevateHER women’s empowerment summit that was held in April 2022, which
she created and implemented. Being a fearless and courageous advocate for women, her vision was that this networking, relationship building, and leadership opportunity would serve to elevate women who strive to make Johnston County and its communities a better place to live and work. Dana also currently serves on the following boards of directors: CACCE, Harbor, Inc. of Johnston County, the Johnston County Business Industry Council, Johnston County Public Schools Career & Technical Education (Chair), and JOCO WORKS Steering Committee. Dana is the current President of The Rotary Club of Clayton and a member of Clayton Women in Networking.
Dana was presented with a hand-cast, bronzed and crystal sculpture that symbolizes the strength, courage and wisdom of ATHENA Recipients.
The Triangle East Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors believes in the values underlying ATHENA International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of businesses, communities and government. Reflective of a quote attributed to Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there”, the ATHENA Leadership Award® honors and illuminates the leaders and leadership styles of individuals others would emulate.
For more information about past winners and upcoming Chamber events, visit the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce website www.TriangleEastChamber.com.
ABOUT TRIANGLE EAST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Triangle East Chamber of Commerce leads our communities toward sustainable economic growth by facilitating the development of the Triangle East Region of North Carolina into a nationally competitive, economically diverse, relevant and collaborative community.
(Triangle East Chamber News Release)
