Newsflashes
- CLICK TO DOWNLOAD A NOMINATION FORM -
Deadline for nominations HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 14TH!
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, UNC Health Pardee, Optimum, and Hunter Automotive are pleased to announce the 18th Annual ATHENA Leadership Award in Henderson County in memory of Vanessa Y. Mintz. Nominations are now being accepted for the ATHENA Leadership Award, which will be presented at the Professional Women’s Luncheon in April to an exemplary leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way, and, most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential.
Founded over 30 years ago, ATHENA International is a women’s leadership organization that supports, develops and honors women leaders through the programs it administers. ATHENA’s flagship program, the ATHENA Leadership Award Program, has honored over 6000 women leaders from hundreds of cities and eight countries since its inception in 1982.
Vanessa Y. Mintz brought the ATHENA award to Henderson County in 2008 and she embodied the values underlying ATHENA 
International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities, and our government. Reflective of a quote attributed to Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there”, the ATHENA Leadership Award honors and illuminates the leaders and leadership styles of individuals others would emulate.
The program is facilitated locally by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, a licensed ATHENA host organization. Nominations are sought throughout the community. Recipients are selected by a diverse group of out-of-town professional judges, based on Athena leadership criteria.
ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients hail from all professional sectors. The award’s rich history, international scope, and emphasis on mentorship make this award unique and amongst the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive. Past Henderson County ATHENA Recipients Include:
Anna Conner, Relocate828 (2024)
Julie Huneycutt, Hope Coalition (2023)
Adriana Chavela, Hola Carolina (2022)
Kathy Streeter Morgan, Henderson County Emergency Management (2021)
Barbara Volk, City of Hendersonville (2020)
Barb Morgan, Project Dignity of WNC (2019)
Lee Henderson Hill, Community Foundation of Henderson County (2018)
Roxanna Pepper, Children & Family Resource Center (2017)
Judy Stroud, State Farm Insurance (2016)
Judith Long, Free Clinics (2015)
Caroline Long, St. Gerard House (2014)
Annie Fritschner, First United Methodist Church (2013)
Myra Grant, Pardee Hospital Foundation (2012)
Joyce Mason, Four Seasons Compassion for Life (2011)
Pat Shepherd, Pat's School of Dance (2010)
Ragan Ward, Carolina Alliance Bank (2009)
Robin Reed, Bares It All (2008)
ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients are presented a hand-cast, bronzed and crystal sculpture that symbolizes the strength, courage, and wisdom of ATHENA Recipients.
ATHENA International is nationally underwritten by KPMG.
Local sponsorship is provided by:
2025 Hunter Subaru Apple Festival Races
Saturday, August 30th, 2025
UNC Health Pardee Cancer Center
Race Starts at 8:00 AM
- REGISTER -
The 2025 Apple Festival Races, presented by Hunter Subaru, are back and better than ever — and we’re excited to welcome runners to our annual start/finish line at the UNC Health Pardee Cancer Center!
Whether you're tackling the 8K, cruising through the 5K, or cheering on the kids in the Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile, this year’s event is all about community, movement, and fun.
What’s new this year?
We’re dialing up the energy with a festival-style experience at the start/finish area featuring local vendors, music, and community partners. And that’s not all —
- Every finisher gets a custom medal
- Top overall prizes are up for grabs
- Early Bird registrants scored exclusive hooded long-sleeve shirts
We're tracking participation this year to see which local business brings the most runners. Round up your coworkers and register — bragging rights are on the line!
Let’s make 2025 the biggest and best race yet! For more info, call the Chamber at 828-692-1413.
What is Shop & Dine HC?
Shop & Dine HC is a collaborative movement designed to remind the public of the benefits and importance of spending their dollars with our local businesses. Local businesses lay the framework for a strong community and we want Henderson County to shop local, spend local, save local.
Why does shopping locally matter?
When you shop locally:
- $0.02 of every $1 stays in the community through the Sales Tax. These dollars support county and municipal budgets for schools, law enforcement, infrastructure, and more.
- you help create and retain jobs for existing businesses as they succeed and grow, and create a successful business community that attracts other businesses and entrepreneurs.
- those same businesses you are supporting will give back to our community through donations to non-profits, civic clubs, youth programs, and more.
Simply put - our local businesses make our community better.
Want to get involved?
Be part of the conversation!
Join the Shop & Dine Facebook Group
Businesses - Take the #SafeHendo Pledge!
We celebrate businesses that are committed to the safety of our community in these extraordinary times. Check out the #SafeHendo pledge and let your customers know their safety is your focus.
LoveHendo.com Launches to Support Small Business in Henderson County
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Downtown Hendersonville, and concerned community members have partnered to develop lovehendo.com as a local response to the current crisis facing our local businesses as a result of COVID-19. Lovehendo.com is an online gathering of information on how customers can still support local businesses as we navigate the social distancing mandates. The site will go live on Thursday, March 19th.
How to list your business: If you are a small business who has gift cards for sale or are making changes to continue to serve customers while respecting the social distancing recommendations and mandates, please fill out the form at lovehendo.com. We are currently accepting listings. We invite and encourage our member businesses to take advantage of this effort.
How to support: There are many ways we can work together to support small businesses through this time. Check out lovehendo.com for a one-stop-shop for gift cards and information on how to keep supporting your favorite local businesses. SHARE, SHARE, SHARE this resource throughout your networks and use #lovehendo whenever you post on social media about supporting small businesses. Follow your favorite small businesses' social media channels and like, comment, and share their posts with your own followers. With dining in no longer being an option, please don't forget to order take out from our local restaurants.
Small businesses make communities and this is one way we can rally together to support small businesses in Henderson County.
