The 2007 ATHENA® Award Recipient is Jonell Jackson
   
The Women's Council is proud to announce its 2007 ATHENA award recipient is Jonell Jackson. Jonell worked for First of America and its subsidiaries for over 35 years. She started as a teller and worked her way up to a branch manager. Jonell not only had to overcome the obstacle of being a minority but she also had to overcome the obstacle of being a woman. She never let those obstacles get in the way of achieving her goals. She has a strong work ethic and dedication to doing what is right for the customer and also the company. She became the first minority bank officer in Washtenaw County in 1992. She always gave 100 percent of herself and expected the same from her staff. Her specialties included being able to grow the business and being an active member of her community. Due to this she was chosen to open 3 branches in Ypsilanti. She was able to run successful branches and encourage the development of her staff. She made a point of knowing everyone that she came in contact with. To this day when you mention her name - it is recognized. During Jonell's time with the bank she mentored many other women into successful positions within the bank; many of whom are now branch managers with officer titles. Jonell always led by example. She never asked you to do something that she wouldn't do herself. She was able to juggle both work and home successfully along the way. She encouraged everyone to do their best and not let anyone tell them otherwise. She has a strong sense of self and it's contagious to others around her. She never gave up and never settled for 2nd best. She encouraged her staff to become involved in the community along with her. The staff was exposed to the needs of the community and the importance of being involved.

In 2003 Jonell retired from banking but not from helping out. She chose to use her past experiences to help others find their dreams. She is now working part time for the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center. She is able to help small business owners achieve their goals. She works to help establish business plans for potential new businesses. She assists in the planning of the business from start to finish including funding, set up, banking relationships and more. There, she is able to teach classes with the knowledge that she has obtained over the years. She is truly an asset to the community and an example of what women can achieve. There are no barriers that can't be broken.

Jonell has lived in the Ypsilanti Community for many years and has been involved in many different organizations that impact the area and has also been honored by many Awards:

President of the Ypsilanti Kiwanis Breakfast Club
Huron Valley Boys and Girls Club Board Member & receiver of Volunteer Award
Ypsilanti Gateway Board Member
Hope Clinic Board Member
Membership for Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce
Volunteer and/or Board Member of Meals on Wheels
Chairperson for Women's Day - Second Baptist Church
Ypsilanti Visitors and Convention Bureau Board Member
Corner Health Center Board Member
Ypsilanti High School Business Technology Award of Appreciation
"Gold Medallion Award" by Eastern Michigan University
Chairperson for NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner
Leadership Ypsilanti Award of Completion
Who's Who Registry of Business Leaders by the Office of Public Affairs
Chairperson for the First of America United Way Campaign
Woman of the Year elected by the Embers Chapter of the American Business Women Association
Washtenaw United Way Loaned Executive Award by Washtenaw County
James H. Duncan Award for Excellence by First of America
Unit Chairperson for Washtenaw United Way, Corporate Division

2007 ATHENA Nominees

DJ Boehm is the Associate Director, Community and Public Affairs for Pfizer Global Research & Development Company. With a full plate of professional pursuits DJ has always found time to serve her community. She has brought together her passion for improving community and for the pharmaceutical industry into her current career. She is on the board of directors for the Washtenaw United Way, serves on the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and at the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum. DJ has received numerous awards some of which are Employee Development Award, Customer Satisfaction Award, and Community Service Award.

Rene Greff is the owner of Ann Arbor Brewing. Rene, and husband Matt, recently opened the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti. She believes in serving the community and has done so by Founding the Hope Oasis Café, Chaired fundraising events and has served on the Main Street Area Association, Ann Arbor DDA and Ozone House. Rene has also received recognition for the Environmental Excellence Award, Business Weekly Most Influential Women and Ypsilanti 2006 Heritage Fellow.

Don Harkness is a retired business owner from Milan. He is very well known in his community as an extremely generous man, who shares his success and wisdom with those in need. In 2004 Don was inducted into the Milan Alumni Hall of Fame. Although retired from his corporation, Mr. Harkness continues to serve as an exemplary citizen and has vision for the future.

Rebecca Johnston is the founder and President of Ann Arbor Insurance Centre, Inc. and she has received numerous awards from the insurance industry during the last 25 years. She has been involved with the Huron Valley Boys & Girls Club since 1987. While her career has been in a field dominated by men, she has seized opportunities to mentor women in insurance, founding the local chapter of the National Association of Insurance Women in 1978. To her credit, one of the women that she mentored has now opened her own agency.

Dr. Fraya Wagner-Marsh, SPHR has served as the Department Head of the Management Department, at Eastern Michigan University for the past 8 years. Her activities include various board positions with the Girl Scouts of Huron Valley, Michigan Council of Society of Human Resource Management, Human Resource Association of Greater Detroit and Greater Ann Arbor Society of Human Resource management. Dr. Wagner-Marsh recently won the national Society of Human Resource Management student advisor of the year award.

Barbara Weiss is retired from Ypsilanti Public Schools where she was a teacher of voice and instruments, teacher of string instruments and founder of Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra. Barbara is the founder of the Ladies Literary Club which gives to annual scholarships. She also serves the community by volunteering at Gilbert Residence, serving on boards such as Ypsilanti Visitors and Convention Bureau and the EMU Alumni Association. Barbara has also participated in many fund raising events.