2022 Prescott Area ATHENA Award goes to Teri Drew
By Breeanya Hinkel
Teri Drew, Northern Arizona Council of Governments Economic Workforce Division, is the recipient of the 2022 Prescott ATHENA Award. The award actively supports and celebrates the ATHENA mission to support, develop, and honor women leaders, to inspire women to achieve their full potential, and create balance in leadership worldwide.
Teri embodies the spirit of the award which honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment, excel in their chosen field, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and forge paths of leadership for other women to follow.
“Being selected as the 2022 Athena Awardee is such an honor!” Teri said. “I share this honor with the other amazing women who were nominated and who made it to the finalist stage. Congratulations to us all. I have spent a lifetime working in and with our amazing community. I am grateful for the many opportunities I have been given and especially for this recognition for my contributions. I believe we all must do all that we can, with all the means we can, and in all the ways we can, for all the people we can!”
“I have had the great fortune to contribute to so many. My calling is service. Thank you for allowing me to serve our beautiful Prescott and Northern Arizona. Special thanks to Prescott Woman Magazine and Quad City News for shining a light on women in leadership!”
This year’s award ceremony took place at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall. With more than 100 people in attendance, it was a beautiful event full of socializing and a keynote presentation by Colleen Biggs, followed by the awards presentation.
Teri has successfully led the way of investing millions of dollars to build strong
communities and create job opportunities for thousands of individuals. She is the
Regional Director for the Northern Arizona Council of Governments Economic
Development District and she serves as Executive Director for the Yavapai County
Workforce Development Board.
She is the Chair of the Arizona Workforce Association and a past President of the
Arizona Association for Economic Development. Teri is also an active member of the
United States Workforce Association and serves on the Arizona Town Hall Board
of Directors. Other Boards, Commissions, and Councils Teri has served include the
Governor’s Commission on Non-Traditional Employment for Women, which she co-chaired, the Governor’s Digital Arizona Council, Arizona Rural Development Council,
the Prescott Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Arizona Manufacturing
Extension Partnership Board of Directors, as well as the Greater Prescott Region
Economic Development Partnership.
In 2012, Prescott Area Leadership named Teri Woman of the Year. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, has gained Arizona Economic Development Professional (AZED Pro) certification through AAED, and is a recipient of numerous regional, state, and national innovation awards. Teri’s favorite role in life is as a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Prescott Woman Magazine and Quad Cities Business News host the ATHENA Awards. The event this year was sponsored by Aboost, Northland Cares, YRMC Dignity Health, Pinnacle Bank, Yavapai College, NAZ Social, Watters Garden Center, Vettanna, Yavapai and Bucky’s Casino, and Findlay Toyota.
For more information visit www.prescottathena.com.