2019 Anchorage ATHENA Society Luncheon

The annual Anchorage ATHENA Society Luncheon will be held Monday, March 18, 2019 at the Dena'ina Center.  Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the ceremony begins at 12 p.m. There is no Make it Monday Forum this day.

During the event, new members will be inducted into the society which honors women business leaders in our community. In addition, the 2019 Anchorage ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient, Diane Kaplan, will be introduced. Attendees will also hear from guest speaker Janet Weiss, President of BP Alaska.

The ATHENA selection committee created a special award this year, the ATHENA Appreciation Award, to recognize Kikkan Randall for her excellence in leadership, mentoring, encouraging and elevating women and youth to succeed. Kikkan is an inspiration to all – an Alaskan whose singular contribution brings lasting honor to Anchorage and our great state.

For more information on the ATHENA Society, click here. The Society is also accepting scholarship applications NOW.

ATHENA Camp Scholarship Applications are also available here.

The last day to purchase a ticket by registering online is Friday, March 15, 2019.***
***Walk-ins are welcome, but seating is very limited and on a space available basis.  

For sponsorship info CLICK HERE or contact:
Aubrie Herman at 677-7111 or email aubrie@anchoragechamber.org.


                                                                                                                                                           

2019 ATHENA Society Inductees
 
                                                                                                                                                           

2019 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient - Diane Kaplan, President & CEO - Rasmuson Foundation

Diane Kaplan became president and chief executive officer of Rasmuson Foundation, based in Anchorage, Alaska in 2001. She served as the first employee and administrator of the Foundation for six years prior to assuming the presidency.

Before joining the Foundation, Kaplan provided consulting services for philanthropic organizations, Native corporations and tribes, and nonprofit organizations. Prior to that, she served as chief executive officer of Alaska’s 28-station public radio network.

Kaplan is a member of the boards of the International Foundation for Research in Experimental Economics, The Alaska Community Foundation and United States Artists. She is also a member of the Anchorage Homelessness Leadership Council and the Anchorage Rotary Club.

Kaplan’s community contributions have been recognized by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Society, Alaska Public Radio Network, Alaska Broadcasters Association, and YWCA. In 2018, she was a recipient of a Lifetime Champion for Kids award from the Alaska Children’s Trust. In 2013, Kaplan received the First Alaskans Institute Ted Stevens Award. She was named the Council on Foundations Distinguished Grantmaker of the Year in 2007 and in 2006 received the Alaska Federation of Natives’ prestigious Denali Award which recognizes a non-Native individual who has contributed to the growth and development of the Alaska Native community’s culture, economy and health. She was recognized with the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (N.O.B.E.L. Women) Shining Star Award in 2010.
                                                                                                                                                           

Guest Speaker Bio

Janet Weiss was named president of BP Alaska in 2013. As president she is responsible for BP's oil and gas development and production activities in Alaska, as well as its interests in the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) and involvement progressing an Alaska LNG project. 

During her 33-year career, she?s held various engineering and leadership positions in Alaska, North America Gas, global roles, and assignments such as vice president Gulf of Mexico Shelf and vice ,president Western Wyoming. Previous to her current role, Janet served as vice president reservoir development for BP Alaska. 

Janet started her career in Alaska as a process engineer then moved into reservoir engineering. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Oklahoma State University (OSU). In 2014 she was inducted into the OSU College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology hall of fame. 

Janet serves on the BP America Inc. Board of Directors. She is on the board of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association and serves on the University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor?s Board of Advisors. In 2017 she was named to the Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team by Alaska Governor Bill Walker. She is a member of the board of directors for both United Way and Covenant House Alaska. 

She is married to Troy and has two adult children, Jessica and Stormy and is a grandmother to Juliet.