2012 ATHENA Nominees
The Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee is proud to nominate two outstanding women who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession and the community.
The ATHENA Leadership Award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment—qualities that are evident in our nominees. The WPCTN is proud to nominate Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors for the ATHENA Leadership Award and Alice Pearson Chapman for the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award.
Diane Neighbors has been a longstanding member of the Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee and an advocate for her community. Not only does she serve as Vice Mayor for Nashville and Davidson County but she has been an educator for more than 20 years as Director of the Vanderbilt Child and Family Center. Neighbors has been an advocate in the community and across the state for families and children working to improve the quality of child care offered for children and for programs that allow families to better balance work and home life. She has served on various boards and commissions becoming a valued member of the community which launched her into the political arena in 2003 by being elected as an At-Large Member of the Metro Council. In 2007 she was elected the first female Vice Mayor in the history of Metro Government and was reelected in 2011.
The ATHENA Leadership 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. The Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee nominated Diane Neighbors because as an organization we believe she embodies these characteristics and are proud to honor her with this nomination.
In addition to the ATHENA Leadership Award, the Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee is proud to nominate Alice Pearson Chapman for the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. Established in 2007, the ATHENA Young Leadership Award honors developing women leaders who provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in the community and serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally.
Alice Pearson Chapman is Vice President with McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations and has shown herself to be a rising young leader in Nashville. Chapman joined MP&F in 1995 as a staff associate and has made her way up the ranks working for a variety of clients at the local, regional and state level. She was part of the team that helped gain clemency for former death row inmate Gaile Owens. In addition to her professional work, Chapman is an active member of the Nashville community. She is a longtime member of CABLE, a former board member for the WPCTN and serves with several other organizations. Most recently, Chapman was the recipient of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Nashville Emerging Leaders Award for Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing.
The Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee is pleased to honor these women for their achievements both professionally and in the community. The ATHENA Award event will be held on Monday, March 26, 2012 at The Schermerhorn. We wish Diane, Alice and all the nominees the best of the luck.
