Alicia McConnell honored with 2017 Colorado Springs ATHENA Award

The 2017 Colorado Springs ATHENA Award was presented to Alicia McConnell at a luncheon held April 13 by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & EDC at the Antlers Hotel.
The annual ATHENA Award honors an outstanding community and business leader who encourages women to achieve their full leadership potential.
McConnell currently serves as Director of Training Sites and Community Partners for the U.S. Olympic Committee. A leader in both the USOC and the Colorado Springs community, McConnell embodies the spirit of mentorship as an elite athlete, coach and businesswoman.
Brought on in March 1998 to assist the USOC in cultivating collaborative partnerships with community organizations throughout the United States, McConnell has helped create access to additional resources, services and facilities for athletes and National Governing Bodies. In her current role, she oversees 19 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Sites, which serve national athletes and teams, as well as 13 Community Olympic Development Programs, which create sport opportunities for youth. Under McConnell’s direction, these partners have contributed approximately $70 million to offset National Governing Body and athlete training and development costs since 2006.
McConnell has also contributed to the career and personal development for USOC employees. She serves as a mentor for the Mentoring for Employee Development and Leadership (MEDAL) program at the USOC, which is designed to help employees grow their professional skill set and leadership potential. Since 2013, she has also been a mentor through the United States Department of State Global Women’s Mentor Program, where she works with female sport leaders from Uganda, Rwanda, Turkey and Jordan in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, ESPNW and the Center for Sport, Peace and Society at the University of Tennessee.
Over the years, McConnell has served the Colorado Springs community in many capacities, including board service for the Colorado Springs Leadership Forum, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Regional Connect Steering Committee, the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, Girl Scouts President’s Council and the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation Youth Sports Committee.
Other 2017 Colorado Springs ATHENA Award nominees included:
- Aimee Cox (Community Health Partnership)
- Treasure Davis (Re/Max Properties)
- Gemma Delgaudio (Pacific Dental Services)
- Stephannie Finley Fortune (University of Colorado Colorado Springs)
- Caroleen Jolivet (Mulliken Weiner Berg & Jolivet P.C.)
- Brenda Lauer (Pikes Peak Community College)
- Laura Peterson (Absolute Body Balance)
- Dr. Fran Pilch (U.S. Air Force Academy)
- Melinda Stuemke (Pikes Peak Regional Building Department)
- Jill Webb (CB Insurance)