NASDAQ Lights Up Athena’s Mission | Powering the AI-Ready STEM Workforce

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.

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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 celebrate a defining moment.More than a photo op, this public declaration reminds companies that those investing in diverse, AI-ready talent will own the future of innovation.

From a pre-bell gathering at Carmine’s to center stage under the NASDAQ spotlight, the tower lit up with “NASDAQ Welcomes Athena”—and with it, a global message of what competitive advantage looks like in an AI-first world.

Ringing Bells. Launching Books. Leading Change.

Inside NASDAQ’s Studio A, Athena CEO, Holly Smithson, outgoing Board Chair Susan Poser, and incoming Chair Jaye Connolly stood alongside industry leaders who are reimagining the AI-ready workforce of tomorrow.

Connolly’s live book launch, Carbon Credit$ Are Crap, amplified the day’s theme of truth and transformation:

“Transparency in the $2 trillion climate economy isn’t optional—it’s overdue. And I am tired of African exploitation.” — Jaye Connolly, CEO & Chairman, RippleNami

Athena proudly supports this debut, spotlighting the intersection of climate equity, innovation, and global leadership.

Passing the Torch. Powering the Future.

Between camera flashes and applause, a board leadership handoff signaled Athena’s next era: global growth, training an AI-first workforce, and a recommitment to serving as the trusted business performance partner for companies leading the STEM economy.

With Connolly taking the reins as Athena’s new board chairman, the organization is accelerating new programs to upskill an AI-ready, equity-driven workforce — because top talent and top training are the twin engines of high-performing companies.

Why It Matters Now

“This moment is bigger than representation — it’s about reengineering leadership for the AI-era, said Holly Smithson, CEO of Athena. We’re not stepping back; we’re stepping up, continuing to help our partners harness diversity as their most powerful competitive advantage. The NASDAQ moment underscored a defining truth for today’s business landscape: when innovation reflects everyone, progress accelerates for all,“ said Smithson.

What’s Next: Training the AI-Ready Workforce

Athena’s 26-year commitment to advancing women in STEM is entering a new phase — one built on speed, skill, and scale.Coming in the new year:

• Leadership programs tailored for an AI-first economy

• AI fluency and allyship training to embed innovation at every level

• Global expansion connecting leaders from California to New York to India

For companies ready to grow smarter — not just faster — Athena is the partner that bridges people and performance.

Join the Movement

Whether You’re One or Many, There’s a Place for You Here

For Individuals:

Step into your leadership journey. Join Athena and gain access to enriching curated leadership content, a vibrant global STEM community, and the career tools to rise — faster and together.

For Organizations:

Align your values with action. Partner with Athena and access proven programs, talent pipelines, and executive visibility that move the needle — from the bench to the board room.