Greater Phoenix Names 2026 ATHENA Award Honorees
Karrin Taylor Robson, Janice Palmer and Nicole Campillo Penagos were selected from 11 finalists at the 39th Annual ATHENA Awards.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Awards
The Greater Phoenix Chamber announced the 2026 ATHENA Award recipients at its 39th Annual ATHENA Awards. Karrin Taylor Robson received the private-sector honor, Janice Palmer the public-sector honor, and Nicole Campillo Penagos the Young Professional Award.
Why it matters
The ATHENA Awards recognize women across the Valley for leadership, community service and mentoring, and this year's honorees span business, government and sports. Recognition of women in these roles highlights leadership pipelines in the Phoenix area.
Three honorees were chosen from 11 finalists at the 39th Annual ATHENA Awards, which have recognized women for 38 years. The source does not specify the total number of nominees or how the finalists were weighted during selection.
The players
Karrin Taylor Robson
Robson is founder and president of Arizona Strategies and a longtime Arizona political and business figure.
Janice Palmer
Palmer is senior vice president of government affairs and public policy at Helios Education Foundation and has been appointed by multiple governors to lead Arizona's delegation to the Education Commission of the States.
Nicole Campillo Penagos
Penagos is an economic development and government affairs specialist with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The details
Karrin Taylor Robson, founder and president of Arizona Strategies, received the private-sector award. Janice Palmer, senior vice president of government affairs and public policy at Helios Education Foundation, received the public-sector award after advancing Proposition 123, which increased funding for Arizona's public schools. Nicole Campillo Penagos, economic development and government affairs specialist at the Arizona Diamondbacks, received the Young Professional Award.
Timeline
2026: ATHENA Award recipients announced at the 39th Annual ATHENA Awards
Season Trajectory
The 2026 class continues ATHENA International's 38-year run of honoring women leaders in the Valley. Its three winners span private business, public education policy and professional sports, reflecting the program's breadth across sectors.
Residents who want to nominate a leader for future ATHENA Awards can look to the Greater Phoenix Chamber's process. The recognition highlights women in business, government and sports, showing the range of local leadership available across Phoenix.
The takeaway
Recognized leaders in Phoenix come from varied fields, from private business to education policy to professional sports. Readers interested in local leadership can follow these honorees' work through their organizations.
Further reading
Explore more Phoenix awards coverage for other local honors and recognitions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZ Big Media.
