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.
KATHY MIHOERCK
Pastor Kathy Mihoerck has devoted her life to faith, service, and supporting others through life’s most difficult moments. A lifelong believer, she turned to her faith during personal tragedy when her first husband passed away in 2001. Instead of losing hope, she embraced a calling to ministry that had been in her heart for years.
She became a Stephen Minister, offering emotional and spiritual support to people experiencing hardship, including patients she visited during her lunch breaks. Years later, she was ordained in the Global Methodist Church and now serves as associate pastor of congregational care and senior adult ministry at Grace Church.
Her leadership is defined by compassion, humility, and a commitment to lifting others up. She focuses on recognizing and affirming people’s strengths, helping them navigate grief, loss, and personal challenges. Mihoerck leads the Courage and Cancer support groups, co-founded with a friend, providing comfort to those facing serious illness. She also runs the Feed the Flock program, ensuring her congregation is supported during times of need.
Empowering women has become a central part of her mission. She organizes women’s retreats and programs to help others find strength in faith and community. Her ability to encourage others and offer hope has made her a trusted and beloved presence in her church.
Mihoerck’s dedication earned her recognition as an ATHENA Award finalist, honoring women who lead and inspire. She sees the honor as a way to glorify God and motivate others to serve their communities. Her work continues through pastoral care, grief support, and women’s ministries, where she helps others find resilience, faith, and purpose.
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.
