Athena's Annual Pinnacle Scholarship Awards
Championing the Next Generation of STEM Leaders
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2020 PINNACLE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!
"I will be pursuing a degree in molecular, cellular and developmental biology to help prepare me for a career as a physician. Thank you to Athena and to all the women who are paving the way for even more women to continue to lead in STEM fields."
"I'm planning to major in material science and engineering with a focus on environmental sustainability and policy. In the future, I hope to work in an intersection of fields to drive materials research and policy in clean tech towards positive climate action and inequity solutions."
"I'll be pursuing a degree in computer science to prepare for an interdisciplinary career including natural and programming languages to benefit people in the future. As a Pinnacle Scholarship winner I am most grateful for an improved network to change the world through the creative fusion of diverse ideas."
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Sarina Krishnan
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"I plan to major in an interdisciplinary degree that combines applications in computing with technology and society to prepare me for a career in public service."
"I will be attending the University of Southern California and double major in Global Health and Neuroscience on the Pre-Med Track. I am grateful for all of the support of my family and the people who have believed in me, including the Athena Pinnacle Foundation."
Canyon Crest
Academy
Studying Biology
at Yale University
Ruchi
Agashe
Westview
High School
Studying Engineering
at MIT
Westview
High School
Studying Computer Science
at Columbia University
Olympian High School
Studying Neuroscience
at USC
Karla
Padilla Leon
The Bishop's
School
Studying Technology
at Princeton
Anushka
Gupta
Anushree
Chaudhuri
Meet the 2020 Pinnacle Scholarship Winners
Karla Padilla Leon
Sarina Krishnan
Anushree Chaudhuri
Ruchi Agashe
Athena proudly champions the next generation of women leaders in science and technology through its Annual Pinnacle Scholarships. Each year, these merit-based scholarships are awarded to five remarkable high school seniors to promote the next generation of women leading in STEM.
Pinnacle scholarships are awarded to high school seniors planning to enter a four-year university to study in the sciences, math, or engineering fields. Outstanding applicants are well-rounded women who’ve demonstrated academic excellence, leadership in school organizations, and community involvement. Winners receive their scholarships at our annual Pinnacle Awards celebration.
In addition to a financial award, each Pinnacle Scholarship recipient is paired with an Athena Foundation board member for a mentorship.
Shae Galli
Through Athena, my incredible mentor not only gives me insightful advice about academics and about the wide world of STEM, but our discussions spark my curiosity about science and solidify my passion for the field.
Sara
Zaknoen
Mentoring these remarkable young women keeps me young. It is an honor to mentor the future STEM leaders of our world.
Meilynn
Shi
Northwestern
University
I am so thankful for the mentoring I’ve received through Athena. It has helped me think through and beyond my professional and personal ambitions and has helped me set aside my anxieties when I step off the beaten road.
UC San Diego
Principal | Zed Strategic Consulting
Lynne Friedmann
Principal | Friedmann Communications
As a mentor, the goal is to sharpen the focus of my Pinnacle scholar through the lens of my experience—a body of knowledge that is continually enhanced as her interests become my interests. This leads to stimulating conversations and growing pride as she excels at her studies and launches her career. Looking forward to the day when my role as mentor evolves to that of a colleague in STEM.
Marisa Beresford
Cal Poly SLO
Having a mentor is extremely helpful because it gives me a more personal connection to Athena. My mentor sends me current articles related either to my field of study or to my hobbies, keeping me up to date on all of my interests. I’m very grateful to have someone advise me on my career path as I grow my skill set. She’s a great resource and someone I look forward to continuing my relationship with.
Gillian
Folk
The Athena mentorship program has provided me a female role-model in the STEM workforce that can relate to my aspirations and provide support and advice. She has inspired me and I know I can come to her with any question.
Sue Ebner
Principal | Ebner Consults
I view mentoring as a mutually beneficial relationship, based upon trust, confidentiality and empathy. My role is to provide my mentee exposure to new ideas and approaches, advice on optimizing skills and overcoming weaknesses, encouraging new skills, embracing new opportunities/roles and enhancing leadership/executive presence. I encourage my mentee to reflect, commit, take action to be herself, be bold and be engaged. As a mentor, what an honor and a privilege it is, I am equally challenged by gaining exposure to new perspectives, approaches and ideas.
Cal Poly SLO
Previous Pinnacle Winners
2020
Individual in Life Sciences
Dr. Kiana Aran
Chief Scientific Officer | Cardea Bio
Individual in Technology
Vicki Mealer-Burke
Chief Diversity Officer | Qualcomm
Individual In Service
Maysoon Lehmeidi
Program Manager | UC San Diego
Rising Star
Yelaine Wang
Financial Analyst | Teradata
2019
Individual in Technology
Mary Gendron
Senior Vice President & CIO | Qualcomm
Individual in Life Sciences
Sheila Gujrathi
President & CEO | Gossamer Bio
Individual in Service
Pamela Gardner
Founder | Biotech Vendor Services
Rising Star
Kylie Taitano
Software Engineer | Intuit
2018
Individual in Life Science
Dr. Ciara Kennedy
President and CEO | Amplyx Pharmaceuticals
Individual in Education
Dr. Katherine Kantardjieff
Dean, College of Science and Mathematics | California State University, San Marcos
Individual in Technology
Kathy Herring Hayashi
Senior Staff Engineer | Qualcomm
Individual in Service
Amy Bergen
Vice President, Business Development | The Leadership Edge
Company/Organization
Intuit
Startup Life Sciences/Technology
Daré Bioscience
NAME
TITLE
COMPANY
AristaMD
Pamela Cosman, Ph.D.
Nancy Hong, Ph.D.
Coin Up
Sabrina Johnson
Mitchell International
Nina Smith
Camille Newton, MD
Tricia Ward
Lauren Lek
Elizabeth Altman
Navrina Singh
Silvia Mah, Ph.D.
Navrina Singh
Allison Alberts, Ph.D.
Barney & Barney, a division of MMA
Shavon Lindley
Saundra Pelletier
UCSD, mystartupxx
Georgia Griffiths
Karen Overklift
Sanford Rose Associates – San Diego
Saura Naderi
Barbara Noerenberg
Connie Matsui
Gaylene Xanthopoulos
Gabriele Wienhausen, Ph.D.
Adriana Vela
PwC
Marcea Bland Lloyd, J.D.
Tamera Weisser, Ph.D., J.D.
Sony Electronics, Inc.
Barbara Sawrey
Trindl Reeves
Aurelia Flores
June Komar
Dr. Jacqueline Trischman
Qualcomm
Teresa Young
Rhonda Rhyne
Nancy Aitkenhead
Pamela Surko
Brenda Gebler
Karen Hernandez
Nancy Taylor
Cooley
Wendy Johnson
Jo Moss
Ellen Morgan
Arlene Harris
Amylin Pharmaceuticals
Lynne Friedmann
Jeanne Ferrante
Karin Eastham
AMN Healthcare, Inc.
Theresa Gilly
Althea Technologies, Inc.
Vicky Carlson
Ginger Graham
Theresa Drew
Madga Marquet
AWIS
Andrea Cook
Pfizer La Jolla
Nancy Taylor
Kay Chandler
June Chocheles
Barbara Depass
Lisa Haile, J.D., Ph.D.
ProfitLine, Inc.
Martha Dennis, Ph.D
Ginger Hovenic, Ed.D.
Sandra L. Schmid
Cathryn Campbell
Deloitte & Touche LLP-San Diego Practice
Tina S. Nova, Ph.D.
TEAL Electronics
Patricia Winter
Susan Howell Ten Eyck
Women First Healthcare, Inc.
Janice Dehesh
Abby Silverman
Autumn Chapman
2017
Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
RiverVest Venture Partners
CEO & Founder
Exec VP/General Manager
2016
President
Senior Associate
Head of School
Managing Partner
2015
Head of Qualcomm ImpaQt
Co-Founder/CEO
Head of Qualcomm ImpaQt
Chief Conservation and Research Officer
2014
Co-Founder/CEO
CEO
President/CEO
Program Director
2013
Founder, myLab, Calit2
VP, Corporate Research &
Retired
President
2012
Associate Dean for Education
Founder & President
Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel
Of Counsel
2011
Assoc. Vice Chancellor of Undergraduate Education, Academic Affairs
Chief Sales Officer/Principal
Senior Counsel
Corporate Executive Vice President of Strategy & Administration
2010
2009
2008
President & CEO
Retired Director
President & CEO
Founder, Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer
2007
2006
President & CEO
2005
Managing Partner
Co-President & Co-Chief Executive Officer
Science Teacher
2004
Science Coordinator
Partner
2003
2002
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation-Business Roundtable for Education
Professor and Chairman, Department of Cell Biology
Managing Partner
Managing Partner
2001
Chief Executive Officer
Senior Vice President
2000
AristaMD
UCSD
Managing Director
Coin UP
Dare Bioscience
Mitchell International
Mitchell International
PureWick
Booz Allen Hamilton
OLP
KPMG
Qualcomm Labs, Inc.
Hera Labs