Flashback: Kate Forbes Was Chamber's First ATHENA

Kate Forbes knew she was making history on September 23, 1987, but didn’t really realize at the time just how important being the first recipient of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s ATHENA Award was. 
“It was obviously a hugely exciting day,” Forbes says now of that day 23 years ago. “There was not nearly as much buzz around it then as there is now, but my family and I were quite excited.

“Reflecting back on it, it’s more about how the award has evolved and the role women have played in the community here that I think about,” Forbes admits. “Then it was a lot of firsts; now it’s a lot of continuations and I think that’s what’s exciting. It’s been a foundation for so many people to go on and be recognized and for young girls and young women entering professions to see what can be accomplished.”

When she became the Chamber’s first ATHENA, Forbes was Vice President/Controller for APS. She has since gone on to serve as senior vice president for two local banks, helped start up a local technology firm and currently serves as the chair of the first ever Audit Committee of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. She credits ATHENA as a career-booster.

“ATHENA was the basis for helping me go to that next level, from locally to more of a national level,” Forbes says. “Whether it’s serving on the national board of the American Institute of CPAs or the national board of the American Red Cross, I think the ATHENA clearly helped me go on to a national level.”

Since honoring Forbes, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has named 23 more Valley business women as ATHENAs and recognized two up-and-comers as ATHENA Young Professionals. Forbes marvels at the accomplishments of those who have followed in her footsteps.

“I’m glad I was nominated early on, I don’t think I would be selected now,” says Forbes with a laugh. “The women are much more accomplished and have achieved much greater heights than when I was nominated and selected. I think they’re a great example of Phoenix being open to having people of all backgrounds, genders and races to take on responsibility and help make this the great community it’s been for the 50 plus years I’ve been here.”

Forbes’ work in risk management with the International Red Cross has taken her from Phoenix to Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and disaster-torn Haiti. As she’ll be traveling again, she won’t be able to attend Thursday’s awards luncheon, but she does have a message for all past, present and future ATHENAs.

 “Whatever plan you have for your life will surely be altered along the way, so adjust to that and embrace the change,” Forbes suggests. “You constantly have to reinvent yourself, acquire new skills and try to stay excited. Every morning I get up wondering what today is going to bring and looking forward to it. If they can just embrace what’s going to happen to them, it’ll be an easier journey.”

Through all her journeys, there has been one tangible memory of ATHENA that has stayed with Forbes: the statue symbolizing the strength and grace of its Greek goddess namesake.

“I still have it,” says Forbes. “Quite frankly, it’s one of the very few that I have held onto. It sits in my office in plain sight and I speak of it often. It ranks right up there as one of the top awards and I cherish it. And I still look at it as a great honor and a great responsibility.”

For more information on the ATHENA Awards or to register for this year's event, visit www.phoenixchamber.com/athena.