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About this event
This Peer Group meets monthly on the second Wednesday
Calling all reading enthusiasts! In a dynamic world where stories influence and shape societal norms and understanding, reading remains a beacon of reflection and enlightenment. The Athena Alliance Peer Group Book Club is more than just a gathering of avid readers; it's a movement. During our monthly meetups, we aim to dissect, discuss, and delve into diverse narratives, offering a collective perspective enriched by our individual experiences. It's a rendezvous of minds eager to contribute to the global narrative, one book at a time.
__Chatham House Rule: ____What is said in this group, stays in this group. Sessions are not recorded and will not be part of the library.
__What to expect: __ -Pre-selected non-fiction books with 2 sessions to review each book -A topical theme for each meeting with guided questions -We may invite some expert guests selectively -No slides/decks or AV and a loosely structured dialogue.
Insightful conversations for topics such as: -Innovative Business Strategies and Their Real-World Impacts -Leadership Evolutions -Disruption and Transformation -Ethics in Business -Entrepreneurial Journeys -Emerging Technology / Economic Trends -Global Management Philosophies
Date and time: 1 hour meeting on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:00am PT / 12:00pm ET
Peer Group Host: Cristina Scharffenorth Peer Group Experts: Mirna Daouk and Anna Goranson
Experts
Anna Goranson People / HR and Business Operations Executive
Anna Goranson has 20 years of experience connecting people programs to fast-tracked business objectives in high-growth, innovative technology environments. Most recently, she guided Universal Hydrogen through the first flight of the first commercial hydrogen-powered airplane as the Chief People and Administrative Officer. As a result, Future Aviation Aerospace Workforce named her as a top woman executive to watch in the aviation, aerospace & defense industries. Prior to Universal Hydrogen, Anna served as the Global Head of People at Airspace, MediaAlpha, and AvePoint through two successful public exits and numerous global expansions.
Outside of her professional work, Anna is the Executive Board Chair for Able ARTS Work. This Los Angeles-based non-profit organization offers opportunities for self-expression through art and music therapy. She is a SHRM senior certified professional and certified executive diversity coach. She holds a BS in Applied Economics and MS in Decision Analytics from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Mirna Daouk Founder
Mirna Daouk is a Qualified Financial Expert with deep expertise in strategy, transformation, and risk management. She currently serves as CFO at PayNearMe, a growth-stage fintech, where she also oversees Risk Management. Prior to PayNearMe, Daouk was Managing Director and CFO of Business Banking at JPMorgan Chase (JPM). At JPM, she was also concurrently the Mortgage Banking FP&A lead and the Mortgage Banking Technology CFO, and she led a corporate strategy and process improvement team. She first joined JPM as head of Mortgage Banking Strategy.
Prior to JPM, Daouk spent five years at McKinsey & Co, primarily helping banks, insurers, and asset managers. She has served since 2015 on the board of SCO Family of Services, New York’s largest social services agency with an annual budget exceeding $250M. Daouk holds an MS degree in Aeronautics & Astronautics from MIT, where she also completed PhD course and exam requirements, and an MS in Mechanical Engineering and a BS in Math and Physics from the Ecole Polytechnique (France).
Hosts
Cristina Scharffenorth Member Success Manager
Cristina Scharffenorth is the quintessential 'People Person' in her professional pursuits. Her innate talent lies in comprehending individuals and nurturing their personal and professional growth, all while working harmoniously towards shared objectives.
Over the past decade, Cristina has progressively shifted her focus towards leadership and talent development. Her roles have transitioned seamlessly, encompassing scouting, hiring, and placement, as well as comprehensive training, compassionate counseling, and empowering coaching. Whether in a supervisory capacity or as a skilled facilitator, Cristina consistently demonstrates her commitment to elevating individuals, fostering their growth, and nurturing their success.
Wed, Sep 11 @ 9:00am PT (1 hr)
VIRTUAL (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Members Only
Peer Group
Upcoming Events
Join us for a Salon or Meetup to get a peek inside our community! Peer Groups and Learning Circles are exclusively for members - log in here
- ALL events
- A Look Inside Athena
- Peer Group
- Salon
- Meetup
- Orientation
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena is held monthly for prospect members to come and understand how Athena works. They will learn more about the backstory of Athena, see a tour of our platform, and have the opportunity to discuss more of what they are interested in and ask questions about joining our community.
Salons
Learn about the most pressing topics facing executives today in an intimate, yet casual, virtual setting. Hosted by board directors and leaders from the world's top brands.
Meetups
Gather with Athena members in your area for a casual, in-person Meetup. These are planned by request and hosted by Athena members in various cities. If you're interested in hosting and/or joining a meetup in the future, reach out to the Member Success Team and let them know.
Peer Groups
We have an incredible community of female leaders at Athena and we want to bring you closer together! Join a Peer Group and build a network of peers you can engage with for guidance, lessons learned and insights around a shared interest. Choose a topic that most interests you or drop in and out of multiple peer groups as it suits you best. You’ll find at least one peer group available to join every week. Each live session goes for one hour, no preparation is needed, just show up as you are. We look forward to seeing you there!
Learning Circles
A Learning Circle is an opportunity to connect with a small group of other Athena members in a focused yet casual setting, creating accountability around targeted learning to assist you in achieving your goals. Over the course of 6 sessions, club members will meet every 2 weeks to participate in an organic, peer-led discussion of the session's "chapters" consisting of 1-2 Athena salons which are to be reviewed on your own prior to the group session. When joining, members are committing to completing all 6 sessions.
Guided Networking
Typically led by one of Athena's coaches, networking events provide members an opportunity to meet one another in a smaller intimate and virtual setting.
Partner Events
These are typically in-person events led by Coco and our partnering companies on topics that are relevant to the industry and audience of our business partners.
Workshops
A workshop is an interactive session for members to actively practice something, such as their pitch. These sessions typically involve breakout rooms, member to member feedback and are not recorded.
Orientations
For members new to Athena looking for ways to engage, these bi-weekly orientations led by an Athena Member Success Manager, provide a live tour of Athena, member success insights, and a chance to get questions answered.
Enterprise Events
Athena customizes virtual learning events with expert business leaders tailored to a unique company’s needs. These events cultivate cross-functional community, development, and learning across the partner organization.
Other
Athena listens and we're always adding new event types and opportunities for members to engage. See what new events we are currently offering members.
No Upcoming Events Found.
Fri, Oct 11 @ 11:00am PT (0.75 hrs)
Virtual (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Open to Public
A Look Inside Athena
Discover Athena: Inside Look and Conversation
Host: Justin Reeves
Salon
Non-Traditional Board Journeys
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Salon
Taking Risks as a Woman
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Karen Bulluck
Salon
Discover Executive Elevate
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Christina Mitine, Christine Jennings
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Shelly Morales
Salon
Innovating for Impact
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Zenia Tata
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Compensation Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Suja Chandrasekaran
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Jennifer Tejada, CEO of PagerDuty
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Jennifer Tejada, Suja Chandrasekaran
Salon
Establishing Your Executive Presence
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Experts: Kathryn Vandiver
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Meetup
In Person: Colorado Convention in Denver, CO (6:00-8:00 PM MT)
Host: Courtney Harrison
Experts: Coco Brown
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Coco Brown
Fri, Oct 25 @ 11:00am PT (0.75 hrs)
Virtual (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Open to Public
A Look Inside Athena
Discover Athena: Inside Look and Conversation
Host: Justin Reeves
Peer Group
HR Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Geoff Balzano
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
First Time Board Members
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Meetup
In Person: Connect Over Charcuterie in Austin, TX (5:30-7:30 PM CT)
Host: Kirsten Newbold-Knipp
Salon
Proxy Advisors - What Do They Do And How Much Influence Do They Really Have?
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Nichol Garzon-Mitchell
Salon
CHRO Perspectives with Sheri Bronstein, Chief Human Resources Officer at Bank of America
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Sheri Bronstein, Belen Gomez
Peer Group
Go-to-Market Leaders
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Rebecca Jones
Fri, Nov 01 @ 11:00am PT (0.75 hrs)
Virtual (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Open to Public
A Look Inside Athena
Discover Athena: Inside Look and Conversation
Host: Justin Reeves
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Karen Cone
Salon
WCEO Perspectives with Wendy Thomas, CEO of Secureworks
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Patricia Lizarraga, Wendy Thomas
Meetup
In Person: A Cozy Evening in Mukilteo, WA (6:00-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Beth Lewis
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Salon
Chair[wo]man of the Board
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Gayle Crowell
Meetup
In Person: Learn to Influence Like The FBI with Executive Coach Sheryl Kline in San Diego, CA (11:00-1:00 PM PT)
Host: Sheryl Kline
Salon
Taking an Intentional Pause
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Kim Newton
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Alice Brennan
Salon
Experienced Board Director AMA with Sheila Bangalore
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Sheila Bangalore
Meetup
In Person: Leadership Luncheon in Pleasanton, CA (1:30-3:30 PM PT)
Host: Christine Heckart
Salon
Experienced Board Director AMA with Nina Vaca
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Nina Vaca
Meetup
In Person: Empowerment Evening in Los Angeles, CA (6:00-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Donna Raphael
Salon
Discover Executive Elevate Session 2
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Christina Mitine, Christine Jennings
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Salon
Trailblazing Founders: Breaking Through Invisible Boundaries
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Deepti Pahwa
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Meetup
In Person: Athena Walking Group in Mountain View, CA (5:15-7:45 PM PT)
Host: Barbara Troupin
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Salon
Sustainable Innovation: At the Speed of Light and at the Edge of Space
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Rika Nakazawa
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Shelly Morales
Meetup
In Person: The Dharma of Money and Your Professional Portfolio of Impact in Tiburon, CA (4:30-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Alison Davis
Experts: Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Coco Brown
Salon
How Prescient Boards Evaluate Compliance Offices and Provide Oversight
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Avril Ussery Sisk
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Anika Howard
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Anika Howard
Peer Group
HR Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Geoff Balzano
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
First Time Board Members
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Karen Cone
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Audit Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Carol Coughlin, Katrinka McCallum
Salon
Become an Investor
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Lilia Shirman
Peer Group
Go-to-Market Leaders
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Rebecca Jones
Salon
Nailing the Board Interview
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Nora Denzel
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Salon
Networking Strategies for Board Roles
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Katrinka McCallum
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Salon
Chairing the Nominations and Governance Committee
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Salon
How to Be a Human-Centered Leader and Stay Focused on Performance and Results
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Maria Ross
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Shelly Morales
Salon
CHRO Perspectives with Jacqui Canney, CPO of ServiceNow
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Jacqui Canney
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Compensation Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Suja Chandrasekaran
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
HR Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Geoff Balzano
Peer Group
First Time Board Members
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Coco Brown
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Salon
Charting an Intentional Path Toward Corporate Board Service
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Keith Dorsey
Salon
The Leader's Voice Playbook
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Dia Bondi
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Walter Bugno, CEO of Games Global
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Walter Bugno, Sheila Bangalore
Salon
The Power of Mentorship
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Sheri Miksa
Salon
When To Quit Your Job
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Kelli Dragovich
Salon