2025 Indiana County Athena Awards
Renda Media has been a proud partner with the Colonial Motor Mart as the Co-Sponsors of the annual Indiana County Athena Award. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in their professional field, provide valuable service to the greater Indiana County Community, and actively mentor and support women in leadership development.
BARBARA HAUGE
Barbara Hauge, a registered landscape architect and ISA-certified arborist with UpStreet Architects, has dedicated her life to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Raised on a dairy farm in Cambria County, she developed an early commitment to helping others. After studying at Penn State and completing additional coursework at National Taiwan University and The City College of New York, she built a career grounded in landscape architecture and environmental care.
Hauge’s professional path has included landscape planning, plant design, and sustainable stewardship. She gained extensive experience working in both horticulture and the supermarket industry, managing plant sourcing and distribution across multiple states. Eventually, she transitioned to Pennsylvania, where she deepened her involvement in community and environmental projects.
She has been instrumental in initiatives like the Allegheny Arboretum, Indiana Community Garden, and pollinator garden design at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She co-directs the arboretum board, ensuring long-term care of campus trees and gardens, and plays a leadership role in WalkWorks, a program promoting active living and community connection.
Her commitment to environmental education includes mentoring students and supporting young people’s engagement in sustainability. Through volunteer and professional leadership, she’s helped shape green spaces, guided stewardship projects, and advanced local wellness initiatives.
Hauge has received recognition for her impact, including honors from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and nomination for the ATHENA Leadership Award. Her work emphasizes environmental care, leadership development, and inspiring others to become good stewards of their communities.
Whether restoring landscapes, designing sustainable spaces, or mentoring others, Hauge focuses on making a lasting environmental impact. She continues to expand programs and collaborations that nurture both the land and the people who care for it.
Thank you to our 2025 Indiana County Athena Award sponsors
We salute our 2025 Athena Finalists, including Jessica Cunningham (InFirst Bank), Felicia Daniel (S&T Bank), Barbara Hauge (UpStreet Architects), Laurie Kuzneski (Kuzneski Insurance Group), Meriann Lee (Purchase Line School District), Kathy Mihoerck (Grace Church), Amy Rebyanski (Indiana Area School District), Joyce Sharman (Fundraiser for multiple non-profits), and Nicole Wannett (Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug & Alcohol Prevention Center).
Community celebration of leadership and service – the Emerging Women Leaders Luncheon will be October 15th, from 11 to 1 at the Indiana Country Club. The luncheon will include the presentation of the 2025 ATHENA Awards and the 3rd annual Spadafora Family $5,000 scholarship for a high school senior who is a member of ATHENA Club. Tickets are $50 per person with proceeds supporting the ATHENA program. Register at www.indianacountychamber.us by October 10th.
