Sept. 29, 2005 DANVILLE - Denise Prince, Chief Operating Officer, Geisinger Ventures, was recently named one of five Athena Award finalists. The annual award, given locally by the Greater Susquehanna Chamber of Commerce, recognizes individuals, either male or female, for their professional excellence, who have taken time to involve, mentor and encourage women to become active in the community and assume leadership roles.

The award is important, according to Prince, because it increases visibility for women in business, which encourages other women.

"Geisinger has been a wonderful opportunity for me. I've had opportunities here that I couldn't have imagined 15 years ago," she said.

Other area finalists include: Karen M. Wiest, a teacher in the Line Mountain School District; Marty Gates, Executive Director of Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition; Erica Shames, publisher and founder of Susquehanna Life magazine; and Sara Kirkland, executive vice president for administration and planning at Susquehanna University.