Memorial Hermann executive presented 2019 Athena Award

June 1st, 2019

League City Regional Chamber of Commerce Board Director, Rolando Villarreal with Hilltop Securities and 2019 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient, Ashlea Quinonez, Memorial Hermann Health System.

By Mary Alys Cherry

Ashlea Quinonez, Memorial Hermann Health System’s director of government relations, is the 2019 recipient of the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Athena Leadership Award.

The presentation was made by last year’s winner, Clear Lake Shores Mayor Pro-tem Amanda Fenwick, at the annual Athena Leadership Luncheon, held at South Shore Harbour Resort. Jill Reason served as emcee.

The ATHENA Leadership Award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment — qualities embodied in the Athena Leadership Model. The award is unique in both scope — local, national and international — and the Athena mission upon which it is based. The award is presented to a woman — or man — who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

Introducing her to the crowd, the emcee said “She demonstrates the qualities of excellence, creativity and initiative in every task she is associated with. Ashlea continually works for the better health of the community at large and to improve quality of life for all. She is heavily involved and committed on local, state and national levels on initiatives that impact all members of the community.

“Ashlea is a role model and mentor to all that come in contact with her. She informally mentors many women with her involvement in the Women Leaders of Memorial Hermann program and the Dress for Success Initiative. She has led the efforts for suits to be donated throughout the Memorial Hermann system to help women in the community who want to return to the work force dressed properly for job interviews. The “Send One Suit Drive” reached approximately 3,500 women in 2018 and in 2019 is slated to reach 4,000 women. This is in large part due to Ashlea’s efforts and partnerships across the City of Houston and surrounding areas.

“A fun fact about Ashlea is that she graduated from the FBI citizen’s academy a few years ago. “

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Amanda Fenwick named winner of Athena Award

June 4th, 2018

Athena Award recipient Amanda Fenwick proudly shows off the award after the luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club. With her are, from left, League City Chamber President Steve Paterson, keynote speaker Doreen Hughes and Chamber Chairman Rebecca Lilley.

By Mary Alys Cherry

Amanda Fenwick, San Jacinto College vice president and mayor pro tem of Clear Lake Shores is the recipient of the 2018 Athena Award, presented annually by the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“I was so shocked when my name was called as the Athena Bay Area recipient,” she said afterwards. “To be among that group of nominees was truly an honor.”

She was honored for her professional excellence, community service and for working to improve the quality of life for others in the community. The presentation came during a luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook.

Amanda who serves as vice president of marketing and public relations at San Jacinto College, has 15 years of experience in leadership and public relations and currently oversees a staff of 12.

That includes a public relations and event team, a digital and website team, and a design team responsible for the advertising, marketing, communications, media and public relations, social media, website content, publications, events, and crisis communications for the entire San Jacinto College district, which includes 45,000 credit and 10,000 continuing education students each year, and 2,500 employees.

Prior to joining San Jac in 2007, she was an event coordinator in the Houston mayor’s Office of Special Events, planning parades, special events and a variety of celebrations.

She began her career in public relations at Rice University as an assistant sports information director. As such, she was responsible for the daily public and media relations for several Owls teams, including women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis and women’s volleyball.

In addition to her role at the college, she serves on the Clear Lake Shores City Council. She was first elected to office in 2012, and is currently in her fourth term, serving as mayor pro-tem.

Amanda holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., and a Master of Education in Physical Education from the University of Houston. She and her husband, Jay, have lived in Clear Lake Shores for more than 17 years, and they have a 5-year-old daughter, Peyton.

Others nominated for the award were Trisha Barita, Barita & Keough Law Firm; Deborah Bly, Re/Max Space Center, The Bly Team; Penny Brockway, Brockway Realty; Kirsten Cavaness, Green Window Group, LLC; Kathy Cruse, Texas First Bank; Wendy Ghormley, Texas First Bank; Janice Hallisey, League City Proud; Kristi Koncaba, Texan Bank; Ashlea Quinonez, Memorial Hermann Health System; Jill Reason, Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre; Jenny Senter, Texas City – La Marque Chamber of Commerce; Amy Smith, Dickinson ISD; and Peggy
Zahler, PZ Consulting.

The Athena Program, named for Athena, the goddess of wisdom, honors females in leadership roles that make them effective, admirable and successful leaders and who have also contributed to the development and empowerment of women. These individuals have strong values that emulate the eight principles of Athena: Live authentically, learn constantly, advocate fiercely, act courageously, foster collaboration, build relationships, give back and celebrate.

Athena leaders are fierce advocates for what they believe and committed to enriching their communities.

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