This Academy is built on a simple belief: AI leadership isn’t about mastering technology, it’s about advancing people and designed for those who thrive when learning in community.

“This board is purpose-built for this moment. Their combined business and technical leadership will help Athena scale practical AI upskilling while strengthening the community-driven learning experiences that make Athena distinctive—ensuring women remain competitive, confident, and visible in the future of work.”

What happens when you combine the pulse of Times Square , the power of STEM leadership , and a 26-year mission  to advance women leaders? Athena celebrated at NASDAQ ….. closing the bell, widening new pathways, and ringing in a future where innovation and inclusion rise in tandem. SCROLL TO SEE ALL OF THE HIGHLIGHTS A Milestone Moment in the Heart of New York’s Times Square On October 21, 2025 , Athena convened Fortune 500 partners, startup founders, and STEM leaders to celeb

As 2025 draws to a close, Athena invites you to end the year strong — together. This fall, we’re turning momentum into mastery with four high-impact programs designed to sharpen your leadership edge, deepen your connections, and remind you why community is the ultimate accelerator. Whether you’re climbing toward the boardroom, building human-centered skills for the AI era, or reconnecting with the women who lift as they climb — Athena is where it all comes together. Athena o

Hundreds of members of Athena’s powerful STEM community came together under one roof at ResMed Headquarters in San Diego for the 5th Annual Lifting While Climbing Summit — a night that was more than an event. It was an experience . From the moment attendees arrived, the energy was unmistakable — alive with conversation, curiosity, and connection. As Athena CEO Holly Smithson took the stage, she looked out at a sea of bright minds and opened the evening with both conviction

Kristeen Barth I'm going to take this off. I think your audio is going to be through that camera. Holly Smithson Okay, great. Hello, everyone. Hello, hello. Welcome and good evening to the fabulous world of Pfizer. Pretty nice digs here. Really delighted to have all of you come here this evening. My name is Holly Smithson. I'm a Athena's President and CEO, and we have a really exciting agenda tonight, which is obviously why you're all here. But I want to talk to you a little

Katy Temple ( 00:04:30.00 ) . Hey, everyone. Holly Smithson ( 00:04:39.18 ) We are going to kick off tonight's program, How to Present...

Athena CEO Holly Smithson recently joined host Ted Vaughn on the Future Nonprofit  podcast for a candid and inspiring conversation about...

Athena announces a strategic alliance with Biotech CEO Sisterhood to deliver custom executive leadership programs designed to equip...

PART 3: ATHENA MENTORS & SPONSORS BLOG SERIES While mentors advise you, sponsors bet on you. A sponsor uses their reputation to endorse...

PART 2: ATHENA MENTORS & SPONSORS BLOG SERIES Mentorship doesn’t start with a formal request. It starts with curiosity and connection....

PART 4: ATHENA MENTORS & SPONSORS BLOG SERIES The greatest leaders lift others as they climb. And they know the difference between...

PART 1: ATHENA MENTORS & SPONSORS BLOG SERIES In the modern workplace, mentorship and sponsorship are often used interchangeably. But...

PART 4: ATHENA AI BLOG SERIES You don’t need to code to lead in an AI-powered workplace. But you do need fluency—the ability to...

PART 3: ATHENA AI BLOG SERIES With great power comes great responsibility. AI’s potential is massive—but so are the risks of bias,...

PART 2: ATHENA AI BLOG SERIES AI isn’t just about ChatGPT or code. It’s being used today to accelerate drug discovery, personalize...

PART 4: ATHENA ALLYSHIP BLOG SERIES Let’s be honest. Allyship often sounds like sacrifice. Give up space. Give up power. Take a step...

PART 1: ATHENA ALLYSHIP BLOG SERIES Inclusion is not just a values-based initiative—it’s a performance imperative. According to 2023...

PART 3: ATHENA ALLYSHIP BLOG SERIES The number one hesitation men cite in Athena’s allyship cohorts? “What if I mess this up?” Let’s...

PART 2: ATHENA ALLYSHIP BLOG SERIES The most powerful motivation for allyship isn’t found in corporate policy—it’s found at home. It...

At Athena, we see growing alignment between investors and inclusive leadership—not because of ideology, but because of outcomes. Shareholders are not asking companies to “do DEI.” They’re asking companies to lead smarter, retain better, and innovate more effectively. Inclusive cultures do all three.

In today’s polarized climate, some executives find themselves at a crossroads. They believe in the value of inclusion—but fear the...

While headlines swirl with stories of corporations dialing back DEI efforts, the data continues to tell a different story: organizations...

But here’s the truth: this retreat is temporary. The pendulum always swings, and the forces of business performance, innovation, and talent retention will demand that inclusive leadership returns—and with more clarity than ever before.