Since 2001 the Greenville Chamber of Commerce has honored 12 women with the ATHENA Award. Each of these women excels in her profession, promotes community prosperity and helps develop other leaders, especially women. ATHENA recipients display unique leadership characteristics including an inner clarity of purpose, a powerful belief in the potential of others, integrity and courage and a commitment to serve colleagues and the community. 

Congratulations to Xanthene Norris, Jo Hackl and Nancy Whitworth! 

Vivian Wong was presented with the 11th Annual International Economic Development Award at the Chamber's 21st Annual International event last week. Wong is the first individual recipient of this Award, presented annually by Haynsworth, Sinkler, Boyd, P.A. Past honorees include GE, BMW Manufacturing Co., CU-ICAR, Fluor, Michelin North America and the South Carolina Department of Commerce. 

Greenville Technical Foundation President Bob Howard; Chairwoman & CEO of G.F. League Company Barbara League, Dean of the USC School of Medicine Greenville Dr. Jerry Youkey, and Mayor Knox White spoke to the importance of Wong's dedication to Greenville's business community, as well as her incredible ability to connect people. 

The Minority Business of the Year Award is presented at the Greenville Chamber's Annual Meeting to a minority-owned company based on overall business success and evidence of contributions made by the business to the community. 

The 2012 Minority Business of the Year recipient stands out among that group and is a well-established and respected woman and minority-owned company in the recruiting field. Ava Smith, of Flat Fee Recruiting, LLC takes pride in serving people in the Upstate. Ava is the owner and operator of this permanent placement agency that assists companies with finding quality employees at affordable fees. Flat Fee Recruiting services clients on a local, national and international level for all industries and business sizes.

Congratulations Ava Smith! 

Nika White, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, joined the South Carolina Diversity Committee in January of this year. White was invited to join this state initiative by SC State Chamber leadership. 

The mission of the South Carolina Diversity Committee is to encourage, support and educate SC based employers as they seek to value and strengthen diversity in the workplace. The SC Diversity Committee is also the group that oversees the planning and execution of the Excellence in Workplace Awards that many Upstate organizations have had the honor of receiving. By working together, the SC Diversity Committee, a part of the SC Chamber of Commerce, executes and supports key state-wide initiatives that strengthen diversity and inclusion in the region.

The connection between the Chamber and theideagroup is diversity in action. When we set out to find a marketing company for CAPACITY, we purposefully looked for one that modeled our mission. As a woman and minority owned business, theideagroup is a true illustration of diversity and inclusion. 

As the Chamber's marketing company for all CAPACITY programs, theideagroup has designed all logos, print and social media material as well as developed the expansive Diversity Recruitment Consortium website, which launched in early April. They also work closely with Nika White, Director of Operations/Diversity Banquet Chair, as the marketing company for MLK Dream Weekend. As a Chamber member, theideagroup is honored to play such a vital role in the advancement of diversity programs. 

Click here to read more. 

The Greenville Chamber celebrated with US&S on its 10 Year Anniversary. Both Ben Haskew and Nika White were there to share remarks and congratulate the success of US&S, particularly owner Rich Hagins, who is also a member of the Chamber Board of Directors.