Athena: Connecting leaders.Catalyzing opportunities.Elevating impact.
Vision and mission
Our vision
A future defined by bold breakthroughs in innovation, technology, and science, with women visibly shaping every one of them.
Our mission
Athena expands opportunities for women leaders across innovation, technology and science and the organizations they serve by cultivating a powerful community of influence and impact.
Athena’s strategic priorities
Our mission comes to life through three strategic priorities that guide how we engage, support, and advance our community.
Connect
Build meaningful relationships and partnerships across San Diego’s innovation economy.
In practice, August 2026
STEM Summer Wine SocialAn unforgettable evening of connection and conversations with San Diego's life sciences and technology community, in the courtyard of BioMed Realty's La Jolla campus.
Catalyze
Create opportunities for women founders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
In practice, October 2026
Fireside chat with Susan TousiSusan Tousi left a genome-sequencing giant to run an oncology startup. Two hours on how she made that call, and how to judge when it is your turn to move.
Elevate
Advance women leaders through development, visibility, and influence.
In practice, September 2026
Harvesting Leadership Fall MentorFestAn immersive evening of facilitated networking and guided small-group mentoring rotations with leaders from Pfizer, Resmed, WD-40 and biotech.
ITS Athena: innovation, technology and science
Who connects San Diego’s innovation economy to build business, create opportunities and drive partnerships?
It’s Athena.
Next event
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Leadership Unscripted
Leading when there’s no playbook
Careers no longer run in straight lines, and technical expertise alone will not carry you through change. Four leaders who have made hard calls explain how to create clarity, build trust and keep people moving when the path is unclear. Then you work through it yourself, in a small group formed at check-in.
5:30-7:30 pm PT
Hera Hub Sorrento Valley, San Diego
Speakers
Jana De Anda
Chief executive and co-founder, Excelerate
Ron Craighead
Network security manager, Mitchell 1
Kathy Krul-Manor
Chief leadership advisor and coach, KKM Leadership
Dr. Alessandra Wall
CEO & Founder, Altaira
Katy TempleModerator
Founder, Katy Temple Media Coaching
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Also coming up
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
Athena's Holiday Reception
Close the year with fellow Athena members: great pours, great food and great company, and a Letter to My Future Self station for your 2027 goals.
4:30-6:30 pm PT
Womble Bond Dickinson, 4655 Executive Dr, San Diego
Members: Free · Non-members: $35
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Be part of what’s next
Athena brings together women leaders across innovation, technology, and science to create meaningful relationships, unlock opportunities, and elevate their influence.
Whether you’re looking to expand your network, explore new opportunities, or contribute to the next generation of innovation, Athena is a community where you can connect, contribute, and grow.
About Athena
Athena is a community of women leaders across innovation, technology, and science, united by a shared commitment to advancing one another and shaping the future.
Rooted in San Diego’s innovation ecosystem, Athena brings together executives, emerging leaders, founders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to build meaningful relationships, unlock opportunities, and elevate women’s influence.
Through leadership development, strategic connections, and collaborative partnerships, Athena creates opportunities for women to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact.
Our legacy and future
Founded in 1998 in San Diego by Barbara Bry, Athena has a longstanding history of connecting and advancing women in technology and leadership.
Building on this foundation, Athena is entering a new chapter with an expanded focus on innovation, technology, and science, strengthening its role as a community where women connect, collaborate, and shape what’s next.
Board and leadership
Executive team
Board officers
Chair
Jaye Connolly
Chairman & CEO, RippleNami, Inc.
Vice-Chair
Sara Hyzer
Division President, Americas, WD-40 Company
Treasurer
Martha Weckel
Former VP Commercial, TwinStrand Biosciences
At-Large
Dr. Gina Wallar
SVP Clinical Trials and Research Development, Sonic Healthcare USA
Board of directors
Samantha Ahern
Director of Quality, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Avnita Gulati
CEO, Data Prescient
Tammy Hawkins
Fractional CISO
Kelly Hon
Global Engineering Leader, Former Becton Dickinson
Pantea Khodami
Worldwide Head of Life Sciences and Precision Medicine, AWS
Dr. Hala Madanat
Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Distinguished Professor, San Diego State University
Susan Miller
CEO, Cyber Profound
Dr. Leslie Nangle
VP, Research, aTyr Pharma
Susan Poser
Former VP, Culture & Engagement, Oracle
Tiffany Rosik
CEO, TGR Management Consulting
Tracy Ting
Former Chief Human Resources Officer, Encore Capital Group
Dr. Alessandra Wall
CEO & Founder, Altaira
Karine Wenger
Partner, Fragomen
Julien Willard, MD MPH
Managing Partner, Arcstone
Recognition
Annual
Pinnacle Awards
Recognizing outstanding women leaders in STEM across San Diego and beyond
Ongoing
SDBJ Book of Lists
Consistently ranked among San Diego's top nonprofit organizations
Since 2020
UN Global Compact
Signatory to the United Nations Global Compact supporting sustainable development
Organizations that have partnered with Athena
Partner with Athena
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