Beltrami County Woman, Local Organization Named 2026 ATHENA Award Recipients

Jill Casper, the Marketing and Community Engagement Director at CTC, and the nonprofit Lakes Area Grit & Grace have been named the recipients of the 2026 ATHENA Awards, with Casper taking the Individual Leadership Award and Lakes Area Grit & Grace receiving the Organizational Leadership Award through the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

The ATHENA Awards grew from a women-led initiative to recognize and celebrate women who strengthen the Brainerd Lakes region. Casper was selected for her authentic leadership, deep community involvement, and unwavering commitment to empowering others.

Beyond her role at CTC, Casper is involved with Bridges Career Academies Workplace Connection, the Women's Leadership Fund, and the Brainerd Women's Fund, along with numerous other boards and organizations.

"I really feel very strongly leadership and leadership can happen at any level," Casper said. "I particularly been involved with organizations that work with women and lifting women up. I thin if we can do that a little bit more, our community is a much better place."

Lakes Area Grit & Grace was named the organizational counterpart to Casper's individual honor, receiving the 2026 ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award. The sources do not detail the nonprofit's specific programs or founding history beyond its designation as a local organizational leader.

Both Casper and Lakes Area Grit & Grace will be honored at a ceremony on May 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Madden's On Gull Lake.