Ruth Borland, 1990 ATHENA Award Recipient

Ruth Borland Esq. is a partner in her family business, Borland & Borland, LLP, where she has served for over 45 years. Ruth received her B.A. from Dickinson College and her J.D. from Boston University. She is currently a Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association Member; represented the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association, in an International Moot Court, In re Wyoming; and a Member of the Bench Bar Committee (Family Law Coordinator).

In the community, Ruth currently serves as counsel for the Domestic Violence Service Center, as a Founder, Board Member and President for Valley Santa, Inc. She is also a Circle 200 Member, and a Board Member for the Diamond City Partnership and the American Cancer Society of NEPA. She is a Member of the Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre as well as a past President. Ruth also served as a Wilkes-Barre Area School District and Meyers High School Debate Coach and was inducted along with her husband Kimberly Borland in the Pennsylvania High School Speech League Hall of Fame in 2023. She is a former board member of United Cerebral Palsy of NEPA, Planned Parenthood, Young Women’s Christian Association, and the Childhood Development Council of NEPA.

Ruth has received numerous community awards and recognitions, including: National Association of Social Workers, Public Citizen of the Year - 1987; Athena™ Award – 1990; United Way of Wyoming Valley – Rose Brader Award – 1990; Children’s Service Center Community Service Award – 1997; Pennsylvania Clubhouse Coalition – Employment Recognition Award- 2007; Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year – 2012; Family Service Association of NEPA’s Falmes of Excellence Award- 2013; Association of the Blind Distinguished Community Service – October 2014; Raymond G. Joseph Lifetime Mohawk Award- 2015; Rainbow Alliance Rainbow Award – 2015; McGlynn Center Service Award - 2017; and Luzerne County Bar Association President’s Award- 2018.

Ruth loves spending time with her family when she is not volunteering in the community, including her husband, Kimberly D. Borland, Esquire, her daughter, Sarah L. Borland, Esquire, and her son, Joseph C. Borland, Esquire.

Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, 2023 ATHENA Award Recipient

Lindsay was born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania and currently resides in Harvey’s Lake. She is proud to be able to live, work in play in the area she grew up in and to be able to make a difference each day. Lindsay is a graduate of LaSalle University, where she received her bachelor's degree in business. She began her career at the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry and the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce as the Events & Programs Manager. Since then, she worked her way to her current position of President & CEO and is the first woman to hold the position since the organization began in 1884.  As the President & CEO, she manages and oversees the daily operations of the chamber and its dynamic team of catalytic community leaders. This includes 40-50 programs and events a year, oversight of a membership of 600+ in the business community, budgeting, strategic planning, and the development and management of new and continuing initiatives, including the operation and integration of all economic development programs and initiatives. She led the creation of the Young Professionals Council at the Chamber in 2016, and the group has now grown to 500+ active and engaged emerging leaders who fundraise and promote the Greater Wyoming Valley Area. She also helped to start the Amplify Women's Program in collaboration with the Chamber's Women's Network and Leadership Northeast. Prior to the Chamber, she has worked for Comcast Spectacor – Philadelphia 76ers, Wachovia Arena, Mohegan Pennsylvania, and Genetti Hotel & Conference Center. Lindsay is very passionate and engaged with the community and is a Board Member and committee member of several organizations in NEPA, all of which are working towards the betterment and economic vitality of our area. These include past and current board positions on the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA, Osterhout Library,  United Way of Wyoming Valley, CASA of Wyoming Valley, Leadership Northeast, the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals, Luzerne County Community College, tecBRIDGE, Northeast Sight Services, The Institute, NEPA Alliance, Circle 200 and the Commonwealth PAICP Committee under the Shapiro Administration. She is the recipient of the 2018 Young Professional Inspiration Award, 2019 Remarkable Women Award, 2019 Top 25 Women in Business Award,  2021 Top 40 Under 40 Award, 2023 Top 40 Under 40 ACCE National Chamber Award, and the 2023 ATHENA International Award Recipient.

Jessica Ives, 2023 Young Professional ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient

Jessica Ives is a Licensed Social Worker. She is  Interim Chief Executive Officer / Chief Program Officer of FSA NEPA. Ms. Ives has been with the organization for 13 years.

In the community she is on the board of directors for Rainbow Alliance, having served as Vice Chair in the past. She also serves on the Dress for Success Luzerne County Board of Directors and is co-chair of International Women’s Day Luncheon/Women in Power Campaign.  She is a chamber ambassador for the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce; Chair of the Amplify: Women's Leadership Certificate Program advisory council of Leadership Northeast; and is  on the advisory council for Junior Leadership Northeast. Ms. Ives also volunteers for the Osterhout Library, serving as co-chair of the Brewsterhout event. In regards to leadership and philanthropy, she believes everyone can make a difference regardless of their position. If we all do something small where we stand, a huge impact will be made. Ms. Ives believes women need to be there for each other. . If you are a woman, make sure to reach out your hand for the next woman to walk in your footsteps. Make the space of her and we will all be better off.  Ms. Ives is a strong advocate for women’s rights and equity within the community, workplace, home and beyond.

Susie Kluger, 1986 ATHENA Award Recipient

Throughout her life, Sue has been a champion of our community. Kluger was a founder of Leadership Wilkes-Barre and served as its Executive Director for 2 decades, retiring in 2003. She was also active in leadership roles in many community organizations, such as PNC Bank, the Jewish Community Center and The Economic Development Council of Northeast Pennsylvania. She served as president of the Wilkes-Barre chapter of the Junior League and regional director of the Association of Junior Leagues International, and on the board of directors of the United Way of Wyoming Valley, where she served as campaign chair. She was a founder of Circle 200 and was formerly a member of the boards of Circle 200, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of the National Association of Community Leadership Organizations. She also has been on the Board of Trustees of Wyoming Seminary since 1972, and presently serves as a Trustee Emerita. She was named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania in 1992 and received an honorary doctor of humanities degree from King’s College. She was also the recipient of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber’s Athena Award in 1986, Wyoming Seminary’s Distinguished Service Award, the College Misericordia Alumni Award, Sisters of Mercy Woman of the Year Award, and the United Way of Pennsylvania Volunteer Award. With her husband Allan Kluger, she has also received the Anti-Defamation League Distinguished Service Award, the B’nai B’rith Distinguished Service Award, the NSFRE Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award and the Temple Israel “Pillars of the Community” Award. She holds bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees from Goucher College and College Misericordia.  

Please join us for an educational and interactive discussion from our area's most inspiring women. The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber's Women's Network will host the ATHENA Panel Luncheon on September 24th at The Westmoreland Club's Grand Hall! Lunch will be provided, and our panel of ATHENA honorees will discuss topics from career advice to professional advancement. Register here!