2025 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients Honored

The Harford Community College Foundation is proud to announce the 2025 ATHENA Award recipients. Vickie Bands, Director for Community Outreach and Health Improvement at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health, received the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award. April Cheatham, Director of Community and Business Relations for Extreme Family Outreach, received the 2025 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. In addition, Homeward Bound Veterinary Services (Dr. Kristen Vance, Director) was awarded the ATHENA Organizational Award. The award presentation was held on March 7 at the Water’s Edge Event Center in Belcamp, MD.

Presented by PK Law, the ATHENA Leadership Awards Breakfast is hosted each year by the Harford Community College Foundation. The awards recognize leaders who demonstrate excellence in assisting women in leadership, professional accomplishment, and service to the community.

Vickie Ensor Bands has been a dedicated nurse for more than 45 years, holding various positions in such areas as the Pediatric Emergency Department, Pediatric ICU, and Operating Room. Ms. Bands found her passion here in Harford County, leading many initiatives to improve access to care for the underserved and uninsured populations. She established, and for 14 years operated, the HealthLink Primary Care Clinic, caring for marginalized populations in Harford County. Ms. Bands was instrumental in getting a Federal Qualified Health Center established in Harford County through a Governor’s Exception. During COVID, Ms. Bands led the county’s testing efforts and designed the first indoor testing center, which became the prototype for the State of Maryland. Ms. Bands is dedicated to promoting nursing as a profession as a member of the Maryland Nurses’ Association Speakers Bureau, speaking to high schoolers and college students. Ms. Bands mentors nursing students at all levels from undergraduate to doctoral candidates, as well as being a published professional.

April Cheatham serves as the Director of Community and Business Relations and Youth Leadership Director for Extreme Family Outreach, where her personal journey fuels her commitment to uplift low-income families in our community. Having once faced the harsh realities of poverty and homelessness, Ms. Cheatham transformed her struggles into a powerful mission to provide essential resources and support to those in need. Ms. Cheatham is an active member of numerous business and networking groups, including the Chesapeake Professional Women’s Network, Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, Bel Air Rotary, Women’s Giving Circle, Route 40 Business Association, NAACP, and many more. As a tireless advocate for women and families, Ms. Cheatham volunteers with organizations such as Welcome One Shelter and Anna’s House and the Epicenter of Edgewood, raising public awareness about the needs of underserved communities. Her dedication has been recognized through several accolades, including being named class speaker of the Harford Leadership Academy in 2022, receiving the Outstanding Past Student Award in 2023, and being a finalist for the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award in 2023 and 2024.

Ms. Cheatham is not only breaking barriers for herself but also for her family. As a teenage mother, she was the first in her family to graduate high school; she is now pursuing her college degree at Harford Community College, determined to be the first to earn one in her family. Ms. Cheatham embodies the spirit of resilience and hope, inspiring others to thrive against all odds.

Homeward Bound Veterinary Services, founded by Dr. Kristin Vance, was born out of a heartfelt commitment to support and uplift the local community. Recognizing a growing need for accessible veterinary care, Dr. Vance established the practice to provide urgent care services, ensuring that pets receive timely attention with same-day walk-ins available for emergencies. The clinic is proud to assist more than 30 rescue organizations, including “Show Your Soft Side,” which focuses on providing medical care for homeless kitties. Additionally, Homeward Bound hosts a monthly free spay/neuter clinic aimed at addressing the issue of overpopulation among outdoor cats, reflecting Dr. Vance’s dedication to creating a healthier, more compassionate community for all animals.

Ranger Angela Crenshaw, Director of the Maryland Park Service, was the keynote speaker for this year’s event. Ranger Crenshaw began working at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in 2008 as a Natural Resources Planner, removing abandoned boats and debris and working on the water trails program for Boating Services. She became a Maryland Park Ranger in 2013 and was promoted up the ranks through her time at Elk Neck and Gunpowder Falls State Parks. By 2017, she was the Assistant Manager of Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in beautiful and historic Church Creek, Maryland. Ranger Crenshaw received her bachelor's degree in economics and environmental studies from Washington College and a master's degree in energy and environmental policy from the University of Delaware. Working at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park allowed Ranger Crenshaw to share both her knowledge of the environment and the legacy of Harriet Tubman, a powerful historic shero and a motivating force for all women. In 2020, Ranger Crenshaw transferred to Gunpowder Falls State Park to be closer to family and friends. Covering over 18,000 acres in Harford and Baltimore Counties, Gunpowder Falls offers guests the opportunity to swim, hike, picnic, bike, boat, and visit historic sites.

Ranger Crenshaw was honored to become the first Black Lady Park Manager in the history of the Maryland Park Service when she accepted the position of Park Manager of Susquehanna, Rocks, and Palmer State Parks in 2022. Rocks State Park is home to the second highest waterfall in Maryland, Kilgore Falls. Susquehanna State Park boasts a historic area, boat ramp, campground, and a diverse network of trails.

In April 2023, she was appointed the Acting Director of the Maryland Park Service and was honored to be offered the position full time in November 2023. She is excited to lead the Maryland Park Service forward and work with the Leadership Team of the Department of Natural Resources. Ranger Crenshaw has just been named 2025 Maryland Woman of the Year by USA Today.

The HCC Foundation thanks the many event sponsors: PK Law was the presenting sponsor, M&T was the Organizational Leadership Sponsor, and The Daily Record was the Young Professional Leadership Sponsor. APGFCU was the Finalist Recognition Sponsor. Bravura Information Technology Systems was the Platinum Plus Sponsor. Beacon Staffing Alternatives, Freedom Federal Credit Union, Harford Bank, the Kelly Group and Klein’s ShopRite of Maryland/Klein’s Family Markets were Platinum Sponsors. The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, Harford County Chamber of Commerce, Harford County Government-Bob Cassilly, Harford County Public Library, Laurel Bush Family Dentistry, Rodier Family Law, Towson University in Northeastern Maryland (TUNE), and University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health were Gold Sponsors. 755 Alliance, CPWN, Elegant Restoration, Emerald Builders, Har-co Credit Union, Palumbo Insurance Associates, Rosedale Federal Savings & Loan Association, and Scouting America Baltimore Area Council were Silver Sponsors. C3 Visionary Strategies, Harford Family House, Hill Tech, The John Carroll School, MidAtlantic Photographic, Peak Partners, Eric & Stacey Rebbert, Angela Sheldon, TENAX Technologies, and Women's Giving Circle were Bronze Sponsors. Media sponsors included Harford TV and I95 Business. Flowers by Bauers & Greenhouse was the in-kind sponsor.

Past ATHENA Leadership Award recipients include Joan Traub Phillipe (1985), Virginia O’Rourke (1986), Maggie Green (1987), Mary Chance (1988), Harriet Allen (1989), Nora Koontz (1990), Jeannie Quinn (1991), Dahlia Hirsch (1992), Nancy Orr (1993), No program (1995-2001), Kim Wagner (2002), Pat Donovan (2003), Jane Howe (2004), Deborah Smith Williams (2005), Sheryl Davis Kohl (2006), Karen Green (2007), Patricia Scott (2008), Content McLaughlin (2009), Lucie Lehmann (2010), Tamera Rush (2011), Denise Carnaggio (2012), Jayne Klein (2013), Dr. Mary Teddy Wray (2014), Stephanie Hau (2015), Carolyn Evans (2016), Kathy Walsh (2017), Paige Boyle - Young Professional Award (2017), Dr. Lisa Feulner (2018), Brittany Trocher - Young Professional Award (2018), Sharon Jacobs (2019), Jennie Towner - Young Professional Award (2019), Sandra Gallion (2020), Elizabeth Mosser - Young Professional Award (2020), Robin Tomechko (2021), Sara Garbarino - Young Professional Award (2021), Claudine Adams (2022), Sarah Klein - Young Professional Award (2022), Andree M. Mountain-Campbell (2023), Allison Cuneo - Young Professional Award (2023), Stacey Rebbert (2024), and Stacy Guerin - Young Professional Award (2024) Laurel Bush Family Dentistry - Organizational Leadership Award (2024).