Karrin Taylor Robson, Founder & President, Arizona Strategies, was awarded the 2026 ATHENA Award in the private sector. Janice Palmer, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Helios Education Foundation, earned the 2026 ATHENA Award in the public sector. Nicole Campillo Penagos, Economic Development & Government Affairs Specialist, Arizona Diamondbacks, took home the 2026 ATHENA Young Professional Award.
“The Greater Phoenix Chamber’s ATHENA Awards honor exceptional women whose leadership and service strengthen our region,” said Todd Sanders, President & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber. “These remarkable leaders are creating opportunity, inspiring others, and helping shape a stronger future for Arizona. They represent the very best of our business community, and we are proud to celebrate the lasting impact they will make as they carry forward the ATHENA legacy.”
The ATHENA Awards, an internationally recognized honor from ATHENA International, recognize women across the Valley for leadership, community service, and mentoring.
Karrin Taylor Robson, Founder and President of Arizona Strategies, is a long-time Arizona business leader and land-use expert. She has worked with national organizations representing major landowners and stakeholders across the country to advance balanced federal environmental law and policy and has forged multiple public-private partnerships, leveraging private sector capital to deliver significant public benefits.
“I am very humbled, not only by the competition this year, but also by the women who have been ATHENAs for the past 38 years,” remarked Karrin Taylor Robson, Founder and President of Arizona Strategies. “The Greater Phoenix Chamber brings out the best women leaders for this event, and it gives us all a lot of hope and reasons to celebrate women in our community.”
Janice Palmer is Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Helios Education Foundation and a respected education policy leader with more than 25 years of experience. Known as a trusted consensus builder, she has helped shape legislation and statewide initiatives that expand educational opportunity and improve student outcomes in Arizona and Florida. Her leadership was instrumental in advancing Proposition 123, which increased funding for Arizona’s public schools. Janice also serves on numerous boards and advisory committees and has been appointed by multiple governors to lead Arizona’s delegation to the Education Commission of the States.
“It is such an amazing honor, especially with the women who were nominated as well as the finalists,” said Janice Palmer, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Helios Education Foundation. “To be able to share not only the experiences that I’ve had because of other women, but also to be able to pay it forward and to inspire others is extraordinary. I’m just, I’m so grateful and humble for this opportunity!”
Nicole Campillo Penagos is the Economic Development & Government Affairs Specialist with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where she has the opportunity to work across sports, public policy, economic development, and community impact. Guided by a belief in stewardship, Nicole sees the opportunities she has been given as a responsibility to leave her community better than she found it. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships and using those opportunities to serve others.
“I am so incredibly honored to be standing in the same steps that all of these other incredible women have walked before me,” boasts Nicole Campillo Penagos, Economic Development & Government Affairs Specialist with the Arizona Diamondbacks. “I am feeling really inspired and excited to get back out there and find the next young professional ATHENA, but also to help other women see that they have an ATHENA inside of them. I didn’t know I could receive such a prestigious award, and we should inspire other women to see something in themselves they haven’t found yet.”
Robson, Palmer, and Penagos were chosen from 11 ATHENA finalists selected from a large group of nominees. The following is a complete list of the 2026 ATHENA finalists:
The 11 ATHENA Award finalists are:
Private Sector
- Kathy Gallowitz, LtCol, USAF, Retired, President & CEO, Vanguard Veteran
- Ann Meyers Drysdale, Broadcaster, Olympian & Hall of Fame, Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Mercury
- Karrin Taylor Robson, Founder & President, Arizona Strategies
- Alexi Venneri, Co-founder & CEO, DAS Technology
Public Sector
- Kim Despres, CEO, Circle the City
- Fran Mallace, President & CEO, Make-A-Wish Arizona
- Janice Palmer, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Helios Education Foundation
- Donna Taylor, Chief Operating Officer, Beatitudes Campus
Young Professional
- Nicole Campillo Penagos, Economic Development & Government Affairs Specialist, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Rachelle Giles, Vice President, Local Government Relations and Association Management, Goodman Schwartz Public Affairs
- Lauren Smith, Director of Community Engagement, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)
You can use remarks from all 11 finalists here with credit to the Greater Phoenix Chamber.
Interviews with Chamber representatives and the 2026 ATHENA Awards recipients are available upon request.
About the Greater Phoenix Chamber
Representing businesses across the Greater Phoenix region, the Greater Phoenix Chamber catalyzes regional prosperity through forward-thinking public policy, intentional economic growth, and diverse, prepared talent. The Chamber pursues this mission by collaborating with business, political, and community leaders to grow the regional talent pool, create a regional approach to economic development, and drive a pro-Arizona agenda.
About the ATHENA Award
The ATHENA Award, an internationally awarded honor, recognizes exemplary achievement and challenges recipients to maintain a continued sense of responsibility, support, and leadership. The ATHENA Award honors women who have consistently invested in themselves, their profession, their community, and especially other women. They have achieved the pinnacle of success in their industry, mentored women throughout their careers, and dedicated themselves to the community through various activities and charities.
About the ATHENA Young Professional Award
ATHENA International established an award to honor emerging young leaders in our community. The ATHENA Young Professional Award officially launched at the 2007 International ATHENA Leadership Conference, and Phoenix was proud to be one of the first cities to present it within their community. These are the “women to watch”.
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