The World is Watching | Athena Stands Firm

Dear Athena Community,

Today is a defining moment.

Not just for Athena — but for all those who believe in the power of women to help shape the future of humanity through STEM.

In a time when many are retreating from inclusion, you — our members, partners, and allies — chose to rise.

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You showed up. You spoke up. And you made your voice count.

In a time when many are buckling to fear or stepping back from DEI, Athena is doing the opposite.

We asked you where to go from here—And your response was overwhelming.

You said: Do not dilute the mission. Stay the course to advance 1 million women leading in STEM by 2030.

So we are.

With a unanimous vote from our Board of Directors, Athena is doubling down.

On women’s leadership training.

On workplace allyship education.On global impact.

This isn’t about politics. This is about purpose.About progress. About power in community.

I recognize the shifting landscape. I know there are powerful voices urging retreat. But at Athena, we don’t take our cues from fear. We aren’t defined by those running away—we are driven forward by those who stand with us. In the last few months, over 400+ companies reaffirmed their DEI commitments, and shareholders at 19 of the largest U.S. corporations rejected anti-DEI proposals. These are not symbolic gestures—they are strategic decisions rooted in the understanding that inclusion, and representation are not political positions but rather business imperatives.

Athena proudly stands alongside its corporate partners like AWS, Bristol Myers Squibb, Intuit, Perkins Coie, Pfizer, PNC Bank, PWC, and Oracle, whose stakeholders recently affirmed the value of inclusion as a competitive market advantage. We are proud to be aligned with these and other household brands like Apple, IBM, Disney, Costco, Marriott, and John Deere—as they aren’t backing down, either.

To every woman, every ally, every leader in our STEM workforce:

Please know, you can count on Athena to lead boldly,to grow globally, and to rise—together—with you.

To everyone who joined our voice of the customer sessions, member surveys and roundtables— thank you.

Thank you for voicing your power. For standing your ground. And for reminding us that courage is contagious.

Now let’s keep rising….shall we? We’ve got work to do!

With resilience and resolve, 

Holly Smithson

Athena President & CEO