Help at the hands of community leaders. Three female Erie area business owners are currently getting support and expert advice to create a thriving company and it’s all part of what’s called Athena Erie.

Becoming Athena is essentially what Linda Stevenson has done.

She’s featured in this book, written by the founder of Athena International—a renowned mentoring program.

"It is a program that focuses on the leadership of women, to support, develop, honor their leadership, and create balanced leadership and empower women," said Linda. 

In the year 2000, Stevenson, a banker, became the driving force behind Athena PowerLink.

The quest: to help local female business owners grow their companies. Over that time, the program has helped almost 70 local owners, with the assistance of an all-volunteer advisory board made up of attorneys, web designers, and other skilled area professionals, specific to each business owner.

"We look at their strengths, weaknesses, what do they want to achieve." said Linda. 

If accepted into the year-long Athena program, business owners would pay $950. Linda explains the criteria to get in:

"We’re looking for a business that’s 51 percent owned and actively managed by a woman or women. You have to have a sustainable business model, have to have been in business for at least 2 years," said Linda. 

Linda, who also created Athena Erie in addition to Athena PowerLink, launched a program to recognize college students, too—a Young Athena Award program.

All carrying the same idea—leading through business and adding to the future of the local community. 

Coming up at the end of the month, an Athena Leadership Luncheon will be held to connect both emerging and experienced female business leaders. Longtime Erie News Now anchor and reporter, Lisa Adams, will be one of the table facilitators.