Kris Drach honored with 17th annual Athena Award
Trista Thurston/Observer-Reporter
Trista Thurston/Observer-Reporter
Kris Drach, board president of the Literacy Council of Southwestern Pennsylvania, speaks after being named 2019 Washington County Athena Award winner.
Kris Drach, board president of the Literacy Council of Southwestern Pennsylvania, was the recipient of the 17th Annual Washington County Athena Award.
Drach was named during the annual luncheon, which was held Friday at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe and hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. She served in the Army for 28 years, retiring as a full colonel in 2002. She noted that following nearly three decades in the Army, she had to put roots down somewhere – and did so in Washington County. Her time with the Literacy Council began as a volunteer, creating the council’s English as a Second Language program.
The award is given annually to women who have achieved the highest level of professional excellence, contribute their time and energy to improve the quality of life for members of the community and actively assist others – particularly women – in realizing their full leadership potential.
“Fifty years ago, I was encouraged to be a nurse or a teacher, because that’s what women did at the time,” Drach said to the crowd of 350 upon accepting the award.
“I’m kind of shocked to be up here, because you’ve all done amazing things,” she continued, speaking of the other Athena finalists, which included Tammy Hardy, vice president, Waterdam Plaza; Tanya Mallory, CEO, Dress for Success; Lynda Nester, executive director, Community Care Network, Monongahela Valley Hospital; and Dr. Monica Speicher of Washington Health System.
In addition to the Athena Award, Kristin Ewing of Washington & Jefferson College and Heidi Dziak of Waynesburg College received the Mosaic Wealth Consulting Annual Scholarship, and Stephanie Paluda, local government and community affairs specialist at EQT Corp., was the recipient of the Athena Young Professional Leadership Award.
Elena LaQuatra, a general assignment reporter for WTAE, was the keynote speaker, and former Athena recipient R. Carlyn Belczyk gave the opening remarks.
“Helping women knock down barriers to reach their full potential is my greatest passion in life,” Drach said. “Nothing compares to this.”