Athena Announces 2026 Board of Directors to Advance AI-Ready Leadership and Workforce Capability

Athena announced its 2026 Board of Directors, elected at the organization’s December board meeting. The incoming board reflects Athena’s strategic focus on advancing AI-ready leadership, accelerating workforce upskilling, and strengthening women’s sustained participation and influence in the global STEM economy.

The 2026 board brings together senior executives from data science, cybersecurity, enterprise technology, and professional services. Their collective experience will guide Athena as it expands its AI training portfolio and delivers leadership development grounded in applied learning, peer exchange, and real-world impact.

“As AI rapidly reshapes how work is performed and how decisions are made, leadership readiness is a core business imperative,” said Holly Smithson, Chief Executive Officer of Athena. “This board is intentionally designed for this moment. Its directors bring the technical fluency, governance experience, and operational insight needed to help Athena scale practical AI upskilling while preserving the power of learning in community.”

Athena also announced a leadership transition within its Board of Directors. Jaye Connolly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RippleNami, has been elected Board Chair, succeeding outgoing Chair Susan Poser. Sara Hyzer, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer at WD-40, will serve as Vice Chair.

“Susan’s leadership strengthened Athena’s governance and positioned the organization to navigate an increasingly complex and polarized landscape,” Smithson added. “With Jaye Connolly as Chair and Sara Hyzer as Vice Chair, Athena enters 2026 with steady, values-driven leadership and a clear mandate to meet the urgency of workforce transformation.”

Athena welcomes the following new Board Directors:

• Avnita Gulati, Founder and Chief Marketing Officer @ Data Prescient

• Tammy Hawkins, Vice President & Business Information Security Officer @Intuit

• Susan Miller, Senior Director of AI Security @Oracle

• Tiffany Rosik, Chief Executive Officer @TGR Management Consulting

Athena also welcomes Samantha Ahern, Director of Quality Operations at QuidelOrtho, who will serve a one-year term as Associate Director.

With clear strategic direction from its annual board retreat and growing demand for AI fluency across industries, Athena enters 2026 focused on execution—aligning its programs, platforms, and partnerships to deliver community-driven AI training and leadership development that enables professionals to learn together, adapt together, and lead with confidence.

Together, Athena’s board, staff, and program committees are setting the course for a year defined by capability, conviction, and collective leadership as AI reshapes the future of work.