Local leaders nominated for Athena Award for empowering women
May 2—LIMA — Three Lima-area professionals have been nominated for the 2025 Athena Award, an honor recognizing individuals who demonstrate professional excellence, community service and a commitment to advancing women in leadership.
Ronda Lehman, president of Mercy Health Lima; Alexis Hensley, mortgage loan officer at Federal Savings Bank; and Joe Patton, director of OhioMeansJobs Allen County are this year's nominees.
The winner will be announced at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, during the Lima/Allen Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala at the University of Northwestern Ohio event center, 1450 N. Cable Road, Lima.
Ronda Lehman
Lehman began her career in the pharmacy department at St. Rita's Medical Center as an intern while attending Ohio Northern University. Nearly 30 years later, she leads Mercy Health Lima as its president.
She has overseen numerous advancements, including the region's first Comprehensive Stroke Center, a new behavioral health unit, and expanded educational partnerships such as a rural medical school launched in 2024 with The Ohio State University.
Her community involvement includes roles on the boards of the YMCA, Ohio Northern University, and United Way of Greater Lima. Lehman has also been a vocal advocate for mental health care and mentorship, especially for women in healthcare.
"At Mercy Health Lima, 75% of our C-suite is comprised of women," Lehman said to the chamber. "I enjoy sharing my journey and encouraging other wives, mothers and leaders to not let anything hold them back from their professional goals."
"I have the utmost respect for her commitment to her work at Mercy Health-St. Rita's and to the broader Lima/Allen County community and region," Dave Stratton, president and CEO of the Greater Lima Region, said to the chamber.
Alexis Hensley
As a mortgage loan officer at Federal Savings Bank, Hensley has helped numerous women, especially single mothers, become homeowners through financial education and guidance. Hensley frequently assists clients in overcoming credit obstacles and securing safe housing for their families.
"I have taken the initiative to help women achieve their goals of becoming a homeowner," Hensley said to the chamber.
Hensley wakes up every day with a personal mission to help someone.
"I do wake up every day and say to myself, 'How can I empower a woman today?' I wake up every day wondering how I can make someone — anyone's day better," Hensley said.
Outside of work, Hensley coaches softball, drives a school bus and volunteers in youth programs.
"I choose to continue to drive the bus because I want to be the smile that some children do not get to see. Some kids go all day without a genuine smile or hello," Hensley said.
"Alexis is deeply committed to giving her best financial guidance to our clients for their mortgage needs. She is very professional with everyone she meets," Dominic Guagenti, broker/owner, CCR Realtors, said to the chamber.
Joe Patton
Patton joined OhioMeansJobs Allen County in 2014 with a mission to improve operations within the community. Under the leadership of Patton, 41 women have received promotions and more than 600 employees have joined the list of employers with OMJ.
Patton was instrumental in launching the Employment Incentives program in 2018 to help individuals transition from public assistance to self-sufficiency.
In recent years, Patton has secured more than $500,000 annually for job training programs and developed initiatives like a high school job fair and the Student Employee of the Month campaign.
He also serves on more than a dozen boards and committees, including the Rotary Club, Superior Credit Union, and the Public Assistance Benefits Accountability Task Force. Since 2018, Patton has promoted 41 women within his agency, where women comprise 77% of the workforce.
"I remain dedicated to investing in our next generation of leaders," Patton said to the chamber.
"Throughout his career, Joe has exemplified the qualities the Athena Award seeks to honor: leadership, mentorship and a committment to improving the workplace and broader community," Dean Monske, Regional Growth Partnership Northwest Ohio president and CEO said in a note to the chamber.
Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351
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