2013 Athena Scholars Graduate

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2013 and the 34 Athena Scholars.

On May 7, 2013, the graduating Athena Scholars joined the Athena staff for dinner to celebrate completion of the program and their upcoming graduation. This graduating class is particularly special, as they were the first to have been with the Athena Center throughout their time at Barnard.

During the dinner, scholars and Athena staff reminisced about their shared experiences.  Each scholar was presented with a certificate that she has successfully completed the Athena Scholars Program and also received Athena pins that they wore on their graduation robes.

John Gerzerma Becomes Athena Fellow

This spring, John Gerzema became the first Athena Center Fellow.  He will support the Center in offering talks, workshops and insights to promote the advancement of women’s leadership around the world.

A pioneer in the use of data to identify social change and help companies anticipate and adapt to new interests and demands, he is the co-author of The Athena Doctrine: How Women (And The Men Who Think Like Them) Will Rule the Future, which reached #2 on the New York Times Best-Seller List within weeks of its release.  A best-selling author, columnist, speaker and social strategist, his books, research and interviews have appeared on “best of” lists at Fast Company, Inc., and The Week Magazine and in such publications as The Harvard Business Review, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNBC, NPR, and Forbes. John’s TED talk featured at ‘TedXWomen’ is an overview of his book, which was released April 2013 and is available on Amazon.
 

Athena Summer Programs at Barnard

In collaboration with Barnard’s Office of Pre-College Programs and leading business and STEM educators, Athena has launched an intensive 10-day summer program for female high-school students called Entrepreneurs-in-Training.  In July, participants will design businesses, pitch their plans to respected investors from the startup sector, and be exposed to core entrepreneurial concepts.  The students will learn critical problem-solving skills as marketers, storytellers, public speakers and first-time entrepreneurs and will gain the confidence young women need to launch their own ventures. 

The girls will be coached by some of the most accomplished and well known entrepreneurs in the industry as well as educators passionate about developing women leaders and promoting women-led start-ups.  Instructors range from a former executive at one of the world’s top Ad Agencies to a CEO named a "Forbes Top Ten Female Entrepreneurs to Watch," to the cofounder of Lean Startup Machine. Apply here.

Athena Center Events

Athena Partners with Girl Scouts

This summer, the Athena Center also joins forces with the Girl Scouts of Greater New York to launch the Girl Scouts Leadership Institute (GSLI). Selected through a competitive admissions process, a diverse group of 51 high school girls from the five boroughs will participate in a 10-Day Summer Intensive focused on the world of ethical and effective entrepreneurship. The Athena Center will guide these talented high school scouts through the process of creating an idea for a socially responsible business and in developing ventures from idea to pitch. The scouts will then participate in an ambitious school-year program focused on a developing a wide range of leadership skills and exposing young women to dynamic role models and committed mentors.  Working with the Girl Scouts, we hope to grow the program in future years to serve 150 young women in the year-long program. More