Lindsay Hansen
PR Consultant
(C): 480.205.6195
lindsay@ldhconsulting.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 13, 2025
(PHOENIX) – The Greater Phoenix Chamber is proud to announce the 2025 ATHENA private sector, public sector, and young professional award recipients at its 38th Annual ATHENA Awards.
Grenee Martacho, CEO, Concord General Contracting, was awarded the 2025 ATHENA Award in the private sector. Elvy Barton, water and forest sustainability senior manager, Salt River Project, earned the 2025 ATHENA Award in the public sector. Brandie Reiner, executive director, National Association of Social Workers, Arizona Chapter, took home the 2025 ATHENA Young Professional Award.
“The Greater Phoenix Chamber’s ATHENA Awards celebrates the most inspiring women leaders in the Valley,” said Todd Sanders, president & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber. “These influential women are dedicated to building a brighter future and ensuring our community remains strong. They embody the best of the Arizona business community, and we look forward to seeing how they will carry the legacy of ATHENA through their work.”
The ATHENA Awards, an internationally prized honor through ATHENA International, recognizes women across the Valley for achievements in leadership, community service, and mentoring.
“This award demonstrates everything I’ve ever worked hard for, including all the failures I’ve had, but also the successes,” said Grenee Martacho, CEO, Concord General Contracting. “I think often we get down on ourselves as leaders, and we wake up asking, ‘Am I doing enough?’ You question yourself a lot as a leader. The entire ATHENA experience has allowed me to self-reflect on the type of leader I am and to know that even though days are hard, I am still being successful!”
Grenee Martacho is the CEO of Concord General Contracting and a trailblazer in the A/E/C industry. With 20 years of experience, she is known for her visionary leadership and dedication to cultivating others through mentorship and professional growth. As a champion for women in a traditionally male-dominated field, Grenee leads with both courage and compassion, inspiring the next generation of leaders. Her deep commitment to community service reflects that same passion for empowering people and creating lasting impact across Arizona.
Elvy Barton is the water and forest sustainability senior manager at Salt River Project. Before joining SRP, Elvy worked as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Arizona Legislature, covering natural resource, water, and environmental policy issues. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and an Executive Master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University. Elvy is a 2024 Duke Water Innovation Leadership Development program graduate and a 2013 Flinn Brown Civic Leadership Fellow. She also serves as a board member for the Federal Forest Resource Coalition, Forest Climate Working Group Co-Chair for the Public Lands Committee, and SRP’s Political Involvement Committee Chair.
“Winning the ATHENA Award is bigger than me,” said Elvy Barton, water and forest sustainability senior manager, Salt River Project. “It is about who I represent. Women are incredibly powerful changemakers at any point in their careers and organizations. We should celebrate and support women throughout their entire careers. I am so grateful to share this honor with so many people!”
Brandie Reiner is a courageous advocate and policy leader dedicated to advancing equity. As Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers, Arizona Chapter, she has championed legislation that expands behavioral health access, strengthens the social work profession, and advances inclusion for historically underserved communities. Recognized as a 2024 Leader in Public Policy by the Arizona Capitol Times and a Phoenix Business Journal “40 Under 40” honoree, Brandie is known for her ability to build coalitions, inspire systemic change, and empower the next generation of leaders.
“Fewer than 8% of youth who grew up like I did get to stand in moments like this,” said Brandie Reiner, executive director, National Association of Social Workers, Arizona Chapter. “So, this ATHENA Young Professional Award isn’t just about me; it’s for every kid who was told they didn’t belong in the room, and a reminder that courage rooted in compassion can rewrite the story.”
Martacho, Barton, and Reiner were chosen from 11 ATHENA finalists selected from a large group of nominees. The following is a complete list of the 2025 ATHENA finalists:
The 11 finalists are:
Private Sector Finalists
- Jessica Berger, founder & CEO, Bundle x Joy
- Sonya Engle, chief operating officer, Sonora Quest Laboratories
- Heather Lennon, owner/founder, Imagine General Contracting and Development
- Grenee Martacho, CEO, Concord General Contracting
Public Sector Finalists
- Elvy Barton, water and forest sustainability senior manager, Salt River Project
- Debbie Esparza, CEO emerita, YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix
- Melinda Gulick, CEO, First Things First
- Sintra Hoffman, president & CEO, WESTMARC
Young Professional Finalists
- Breanna Naegeli, PhD, dean; Honors College & Global Education Programs, Grand Canyon University
- Christina Ngo, assistant vice president of social embeddedness, Arizona State University
- Brandie Reiner, executive director, National Association of Social Workers, Arizona Chapter
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About the Greater Phoenix Chamber
Representing businesses across the Greater Phoenix region, the Greater Phoenix Chamber catalyzes regional prosperity through forward-thinking public policy, intentional economic growth, and diverse, prepared talent. The Chamber pursues this mission by collaborating with business, political, and community leaders to grow the regional talent pool, create a regional approach to economic development, and drive a pro-Arizona agenda.
About the ATHENA Award
The ATHENA Award, an honor awarded internationally, recognizes exemplary achievement and challenges its recipients with a continued sense of responsibility, support, and leadership. The ATHENA Award honors women who have consistently invested in themselves, their profession, their community, and especially other women. They have achieved the pinnacle of success within their industry, have mentored women throughout their career, and have dedicated themselves to the community through various activities and charities.
About the ATHENA Young Professional Award
ATHENA International established an award to honor emerging young leaders in our community. The ATHENA Young Professional Award officially launched at the 2007 International ATHENA Leadership Conference, and Phoenix was proud to be one of the first cities to present it within their community. These are the “women to watch.
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