LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – The Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce’s Athena Award honors individuals who improve the quality of life for others and help women achieve their leadership potential. Here are the 2025 award finalists.
Joe Patton became the director of OhioMeansJobs Allen County in 2014, an organization that helps approximately 650 employers find the right candidates for open positions. Patton also collaborated with state lawmakers to create the Employment Incentives Program, designed to encourage self-reliance and reduce dependence on public assistance.
Patton helped establish a spring career fair for high school seniors, aiming to connect them with employers after graduation. He also prioritizes internal promotion within his agency, with most of those advancements going to women. For the past 11 years, he has sent employees to the Global Leadership Summit to develop their professional and personal skills.
As a mortgage loan officer at The Federal Savings Bank, Alexis Hensley helps women realize their dream of homeownership. Her influence extends to the softball field, where she coaches young athletes.
Along with teaching the game, she also teaches the girls that there is more to life than winning.
“She also prides herself in guiding new homeowners, especially single mothers to reach their dream of home ownership.”
Hensley says she wakes up every day with a goal of making someone else’s day better.
Ronda Lehman credits many mentors for guiding her to her current role as president of Mercy Health–St. Rita’s. Now, she ensures others receive the same support and opportunities that she has had over her 30-year career in health care.
Under Lehman’s leadership, St. Rita’s has been named one of Healthgrades’ America’s Best 100 Hospitals for the past two years. The hospital has also become a training site for new physicians. In contrast to national trends, women hold most of the top leadership positions at St. Rita’s.
Lehman also serves as a mentor to other health care executives in other parts of the country. She has also sat on many local boards and volunteers at many local organizations. Later this year, the hospital will be opening Mercy Tots, a new childcare center for Saint Rita’s associates and surrounding community members.
These three individuals are finalists for the 2025 Athena Award. The winner will be announced during the Chamber gala on May 8th.
