Rochester Red Wings CEO Naomi Silver Wins 2026 ATHENA International Award

Naomi Silver, president, CEO and COO of the Rochester Red Wings, was honored with the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 ATHENA International Award, a recognition that highlights the intersection of sports leadership and civic influence. The award, presented as part of the Chamber’s 40th anniversary celebration of the ATHENA program, recognizes women who have demonstrated significant achievement in business, community service, and the professional advancement of women.

Bob Duffy, president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, framed the evening as a moment to connect four decades of leadership with current momentum. “Congratulations to Naomi, Lindsay, Tracy and her team at The Arc of Monroe, and all of our remarkable finalists. Individually and collectively, the impact these women and their organizations have on our community is transformational. Reflecting on the 40th anniversary of the ATHENA Awards in our community, we have been proud to recognize hundreds of women, and this year’s selection of recipients and finalists joins the ranks of storied leaders and good company recognized over the past four decades. All of this year’s finalists have helped shape Greater Rochester into the community we love, and their continued leadership positions us for an even better future. We were proud to recognize them this evening alongside [...]”

The selection process was run by a committee of Greater Rochester business leaders who chose recipients from submitted nominations. Alongside Silver, Lindsay Connelly, founder and president of Linden Digital Marketing, received the ATHENA Young Professional Award and The Arc of Monroe was awarded the ATHENA Organizational Award. The Chamber emphasized that the ceremony also honored hundreds of past finalists and recipients as part of the program’s 40th anniversary in Greater Rochester.

Social reaction from the local and professional community underscored Silver’s dual profile as a sports executive and civic leader. Marc Cohen posted on LinkedIn, “Naomi is a trailblazer - the first woman to lead a professional Minor League Baseball franchise - but what matters just as much is how she does it. She leads with confidence, kindness, and a real sense of responsibility to the community around her. Whether it’s sports, civic leadership, or nonprofit work, she shows up fully and makes everything better.” Other LinkedIn and Facebook responses described the honor as “well deserved” and praised Silver’s “grace and compassion.”

Beyond the award, the recognition reinforces the business and cultural role that a Triple-A franchise plays in its city. Oursportscentral noted Silver’s extensive nonprofit and board work, listing organizations including URMC Strong Hospital, the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Foundation. For a minor league brand, that civic footprint helps drive sponsorship value, corporate partnerships, and fan loyalty in a market where community ties matter as much as on-field results.

For Red Wings fans and baseball industry observers, Silver’s ATHENA Award signals an executive model that blends commercial strategy with public service. As the Chamber’s publication and the Red Wings’ announcement show, the recognition is both a local celebration and a broader indicator of trends in sports leadership: increasing visibility for women executives, deeper community engagement from franchises, and the continued monetization of civic partnerships. The immediate takeaway for fans is clear: the Red Wings’ front office under Naomi Silver is winning accolades off the field, and that credibility can translate into stronger community support, corporate relationships, and a more resilient franchise moving forward.