The ATHENA Leadership Award celebrates exemplary leadership and is reflective of a quote by Plato: “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there.” Over 8000 recipients have been honored with the ATHENA Leadership Award since the program’s inception in 1982. Presented to female leaders across professional sectors, the ATHENA Leadership Award’s rich history, international scope and focus on mentorship distinguish it as one of the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive.
The Rotary Club of Dubois County began recognizing leaders in Dubois County with the ATHENA Leadership award in 2012. This page is dedicated to celebrating and remembering the history of the award in Dubois County and all the incredible leaders who have been finalists and recipients of the award. A display recognizing the award recipients can also be enjoyed by visiting the Dubois County Museum, the largest County Museum in the state of Indiana.
2025
2025 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient, Laura Grammer
2025 ATHENA Leadership Award Finalists
From left to right: Laura Grammer, Dr. Tara Rasche, Diana Fischer, Clara Fromme, and Megan Durlauf
Laura Grammer is a business leader, innovator, and passionate community builder. As 3rd generation co-owner of Ackerman Oil and QYCCO, she empowers employees through career training programs and hands-on mentorship. She played a key role in revitalizing the Jasper Strassenfest and has led countless civic efforts with creativity and heart. Laura’s leadership blends strategy, humor, and a deep commitment to helping others succeed.
Dr. Tara Rasche is the first female superintendent of the Northeast Dubois County School Corporation and a lifelong champion for education and youth. She has led initiatives to expand college and career readiness, mentored countless educators, and served on numerous community boards. Known for her resilience and servant leadership, Dr. Rasche has empowered generations of students and women leaders through her example and encouragement.
Diana Fischer is a nurse, educator, and CEO of Fischer Farms Natural Foods, where she has helped build a nationally respected farm-to-table business. A former nursing instructor and community volunteer, Diana is known for her tireless work ethic, generosity, and humility. She mentors women, donates thousands of dollars in food to those in need, and leads by example across healthcare, business, and service.
Clara Fromme is a lifelong educator and community servant who spent over 30 years teaching English at Jasper High School, where she launched programs like the Shakespearean Festival and dual credit courses. Even in retirement, she continues to tutor, teach, and volunteer—serving at Memorial Hospital, her church, and local nonprofits. Clara is known for quietly lifting others through education, mentorship, and a life of service.
Megan Durlauf is a changemaker in recovery services and criminal justice reform. As Director of Operations at Dove Recovery House – Dubois County, she provides trauma-informed residential care for women overcoming addiction. A former corrections leader, Megan has dedicated her career to building systems of hope and healing. She is also a mentor, nonprofit board chair, and tireless advocate for women and youth.
2024
2024 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient, Jodi Rouston
2024 ATHENA Leadership Award Finalists
From left to right: Peggy Huff, Mary Warner, Deb Capps, Jodi Rouston, and Tammy Lampert
Peggy Amos-Huff was a wonderful guidance counselor and mentor to countless students. She is described as one of the kindest, most selfless, and dearest people you could ever want to meet. Always having many tools in her toolbox, active listening, empathy, rapport building, reflection, feedback, goal setting, etc., she helped many young women through minor issues, medium difficulties, and colossal dilemmas. She has impacted the lives of many students, colleagues, and friends.
Mary Warner embodies the resilience, determination, and tenacity that defines a modern woman navigating the corporate landscape. With her keen intellect as her compass and advocacy as her guiding light, she charts a course where gender parity isn’t just a goal but an everyday reality. As the founder/president of Dubois County PRIDE and a Girls on the Run board member, she has demonstrated her leadership and advocacy skills.
Deb Capps has had a diverse career, but a common thread runs through her roles: ensuring the health of the people in her community, especially the youth. She has worked to help high-risk students attain college, prevent tobacco and alcohol use in our youth, and aid in public health and disaster preparedness. Throughout her career, Deb has had a knack for identifying potential in others and helping them achieve things they never dreamed of.
Jodi Rouston is described as someone who demonstrates excellent leadership and is passionate about mental health and the wellness of her community. She has spent her career focused on improving the health of others and designing services that address some of the greatest needs facing our community. In her Director of Behavioral Health and Social Work role at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center, she leads the inpatient Behavioral Health unit and social work services, as well as the outpatient-based Memorial Counseling Center.
Tammy Lampert went to work for the Southwestern Indiana Child Advocacy Coalition Center (SWICACC), hoping to have a positive impact and combat systemic failures. Eventually named Executive Director, Tammy leads SWICACC across seven counties, advocates for statewide legislation, and recently opened the Center on Fifth to house SWICACC as a local/regional resilience center. Many consider Tammy a “secret superhero” in our community.
2023
2023 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient, Sr. Rose Mary Rexing
2023 ATHENA Leadership Award Finalists
From left to right: Annette Altmeyer, Erin Rauscher, Sr. Rose Mary Rexing, Dr. Kristi Nord, and Dana Kunz
Annette Altmeyer is a woman who lives her faith every day and is described as someone who “radiates sunshine.” As an educator, she has had a tremendous impact as a teacher and administrator serving in several different roles over the years, but her impact extends far beyond the classroom. It’s not possible to list all her work and accomplishments but it is clear that if there is a need, Annette will make herself available and will provide leadership to accomplish the task.
Erin Rauscher grew up with a family who taught her to look for the special gifts in others. Erin is the Guidance Counselor at Southridge High, where her passion for education and mental health merge. She is the official yoga coach for the Southridge football team and often shares yoga techniques with other students to cope with stressful situations. In addition to helping students find their unique gifts, she has been active in a large number of organizations in the community as well as continuing her ever-expanding yoga practice.
Sr. Rose Mary Rexing, OSB, learned early about community from her family and followed God’s call to the religious life, and only agreed to be nominated if “all the credit goes to God, family, and my community, the Sisters of St. Benedict (SoSB).” Her fifty years of ministry in following God’s call have led to many different paths of leadership. She has served in many roles with the SoSB, including Vocations Director, Director of Mission Advancement, and currently serves as the Director of Hospitality and Spirituality. She most recently served as the Executive Director of Mission Integration at Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Kristi Nord, a high school valedictorian, Yale Honors graduate in biomedical engineering and Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine Honors graduate, is a Board-Certified Neurologist and maintains a busy Neurology practice. She holds herself to the highest standards of performance and inspires those around her to do the same. She has been actively mentoring other women since high school, inspiring and encouraging them with advice and strategies, and at elementary schools to show the children that girls can become doctors too.
Dana Kunz is described as the type of professional that every organization strives to hire and every person within an organization strives to emulate as well as being a trailblazer. In her former role as Business Teacher and now her role as College and Career Counselor, she has demonstrated creativity and leadership in working as an advisor to the Business Professionals of America (BPA) at Jasper Middle and High Schools, helping hundreds of students develop their business acumen and achieve success locally and nationally. She is active in the community, is a foster parent, and has served on numerous committees.
2022
2022 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient, Rossina Sandoval Monsivais
2022 ATHENA Leadership Award Finalists
From left to right: Patricia (Pat) Thyen, Rossina Sandoval Monsivais, Mary Leah Siegel, and Joyce Beck
Patricia “Pat” Thyen has been a staunch supporter of the Arts in Jasper and has provided much guidance, advice and support, both in time and money, to The Next Act, Jasper Community Arts Commission, and Jasper Leads which helped fund the new cultural center. Pat has been described as “egoless” but “a formidable combination of kindness, talent, personality and skill."
Rossina Sandoval Monsivais made an incredibly hard decision to give up her professional practice of psychology to immigrate to the United States. In her current role at Southwest Dubois School Corporation, she is making an impact on the students, their families, school staff and the community to help carry out her vision to “level the field."
Mary Leah Siegel was raised to seek opportunities for servant leadership and community involvement and to give of her time and talent where it is needed. She has been a mentor to many, establishing a framework for summer internship experiences that is used company-wide at Kimball Electronics. She is seen as someone who makes time for her global team members, and constantly looks for best practices to guide her coworkers collaboratively in the latest marketing tactics.
Joyce Beck has achieved success in her multiple professional endeavors and impacted the lives of so many including her Ferdinand community through countless volunteer hours. Whether it is a neighbor needing help or a tenant needing guidance, Joyce is the person who will step up, figure out what is needed and make sure that it is provided.
2021
2021 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient, Kelly Clauss
From left to right: Somula (Sam) Schwoeppe, Becky, Hickman, Marsha Shepherd, Sarah Leonard, Kelly Clauss, and Norma Kress
Sam Schwoeppe is a dairy farmer and food security advocate who has been recognized globally for her leadership, including by Oprah and PepsiCo. As Feeding America’s Senior Manager, she helped distribute 400 million more pounds of dairy. She serves on the Prairie Farms Board as its first female executive officer. Locally, Sam has led numerous community groups and empowers women in agriculture. Her leadership is defined by grit, compassion, and a drive to serve others.
Becky Hickman led German American Bank’s training division for 19 years and now runs her own leadership and development firm. She also serves as Executive Director of the Dubois County Chamber and Director of EinDC. A passionate mentor and regional leader, Becky was instrumental in Dubois County’s 21st Century Talent Region designation. She is a founding member of Women Empowering Women and remains dedicated to empowering others to achieve their potential.
Marsha Shepherd has spent 30 years at Memorial Hospital advancing quality and compliance while mentoring others through leadership and example. A former TPE Examiner and adjunct faculty member at Vincennes University, Marsha also leads the Patoka Valley CTE Health Committee. Her civic roles include PTO president, church leader, and Strassenfest volunteer. Known for her integrity, compassion, and tireless work ethic, Marsha is a respected leader who uplifts others through service and education.
Sarah Leonard founded Girls on the Run of Southwest Indiana, launching it in 2015 and growing it across 13 counties. Her vision has empowered hundreds of girls through confidence-building and leadership. Sarah is also a leader in her church and multiple community organizations, including school PTOs, booster clubs, and local events. Known for her contagious positivity and passion, Sarah’s work continues to uplift young women and build stronger, more connected communities.
Kelly Clauss has been instrumental at Memorial Hospital in expanding medical practices and securing rural health designations over her 22 years in healthcare leadership. She champions emotional wellness as a certified HeartMath Trainer and mentors women through SOAR. Kelly serves as Vice President of the Vincennes University Jasper Foundation and is a trustee of Vincennes University. Her leadership is rooted in gratitude, authenticity, and a deep commitment to serving others.
Norma Kress led global innovation in technology during her 41-year career as Kimball International’s first female executive. Starting as a bookkeeper, she rose to EVP of IT, advancing women in leadership and technology. Norma supported nonprofits with company tech resources and inspired others with her integrity, intelligence, and generosity. A trailblazer in every sense, Norma balanced career, family, and community involvement with grace, showing what’s possible for women in leadership.
