Chamber Honors Leaders of Distinction in Bloomington
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce presented its annual awards, naming Erin Jennings the 2026 Athena Leadership Award winner.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Awards
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce held its annual Leaders of Distinction Awards Reception on Thursday at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington, co-hosted by The Pantagraph. Twenty individuals were named 20 Under 40 honorees, and Erin Jennings of Habitat for Humanity of McLean County won the Athena Leadership Award.
Why it matters
The awards recognize local professionals across business and community service, highlighting leaders shaping McLean County and the Bloomington-Normal area. The event gives residents a view of the people driving civic and nonprofit work in the region.
The Athena Leadership Award is in its 30th year, and 20 individuals were recognized as 20 Under 40 honorees at the event. The reception did not disclose selection criteria or the full list of nominees beyond the named finalists.
The players
McLean County Chamber of Commerce
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce is the regional business organization that hosts the Leaders of Distinction awards each year.
Erin Jennings
Erin Jennings is director of resource development for Habitat for Humanity of McLean County and won the 2026 Athena Leadership Award.
The details
Chris Downing, vice president of development and community engagement at Heartland Community College, served as emcee. Erin Pieczynski, director of community partnerships at Lifelong Access, received the Liz Larson Rising Leader Award, and Athena finalists included Tracy Patkunas, Jennifer Sedbrook, and Kathleen Schniedwind.
Timeline
2025: Erin Pieczynski named Bloomington-Normal Young Professionals Ambassador of the Year.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: Leaders of Distinction Awards Reception held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington.
Culture Shift
The 30th anniversary of the ATHENA Leadership Award marks three decades of formal recognition for women leaders in McLean County. This year's winner continues a pattern of local civic honors that elevate nonprofit and community service work alongside corporate achievement.
The awards spotlight leaders in McLean County and Bloomington-Normal, giving residents a list of local professionals to follow in business and nonprofit work. Readers interested in civic involvement can look to these honorees as examples of community engagement.
The takeaway
Recognition programs like these showcase the people who keep local organizations running, from nonprofit development to community partnerships. Residents looking to get involved can start by connecting with the organizations honored in this year's awards.
Further reading
Explore more awards coverage from across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pantagraph.
