ATHENA Award goes to Bava

NOVEMBER 2008 - It is with great pleasure that the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce announces the selection of Mary Bava as its 2008 ATHENA Award recipient.

She is being recognized for her professional accomplishments, community service and her role in helping other women in the community attain success. This prestigious award honors outstanding professional women who encourage an environment where providing assistance, inspiration and mentoring to women is uniquely valued.

Mary Bava is currently a Senior Consultant for Assembly member Cathleen Galgiani, a position she has held for nearly two years. Previously, she was the District Director for Assembly member Barbara Matthews for six years. In both positions she has served the constituents of the State Legislature’s 17th Assembly District, assisting with issues affecting local government, the business community, and individual citizens.

Previously, Mary was the Program Development Coordinator for the Family Resource and Referral Center (2000-2001), the Public Affairs Manager at MediaOne (now Comcast) (1997-2000), and the Executive Director of the Women’s Center of San Joaquin County (1994-1997). Mary has extensive experience in County government as a Probation Officer, a Senior Legislative Assistant to the Board of Supervisors, and an Associate Planner with the Community Development Department.

Mary graduated from the University of Michigan and received a Master’s Degree in Communications from the University of the Pacific. She completed the Management Certificate Program at UOP’s Eberhardt School of Business and Public Administration, and earned a Certificate in Non-Profit Management at California State University Stanislaus. She is a graduate of Leadership Stockton.

Mary joined the Board of Directors of the Women’s Center of San Joaquin County in 2004. She is currently the Vice President of the Board (President-Elect for 2009), and also serves on the Executive and Fund Development Committees. In 2003, she was the Chair of the Center’s Fall Campaign, and co-chaired the Major Donor Campaign in 2002.

Mary served on the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 1998 - 2002 and was chair of the Chamber Community Based Organizations Network (CCBON). She was on the Board of Directors of the Leadership Stockton Alumni from 1987 to 1989, serving as Vice President in 1988. She assisted with the Leadership Stockton Advisory Committee in 2002 and 2004-5. She has enjoyed being an ambassador, and attending the Government Relations Council meetings.

She is a founding member of the Community Partnership for Families, and was part of Stockton’s team that earned the first All America City designation in Philadelphia in 1999.

Mary has been a member of the Public Relations Exchange since its inception in 1998, and served on the United Way’s “Power of One - Women Making a Difference” Event Committee in 2001, 2002, 2003. For several years she worked with the Speaker Selection Committee for the Business Leadership Summit and the Action on Behalf of Children (ABC) Awards Program.

She has been honored with the Commission on the Status of Women’s Susan B. Anthony Woman of Achievement Award in Government and Politics, the Family Resource and Referral Center’s Action on Behalf of Children Award, the Business and Professional Women’s Woman of the Year Award, and the Leadership Stockton Alumni Association’s Community Involvement Award.

The ATHENA Award will be presented to Mary at the annual ATHENA Luncheon on November 13, 11:30 AM, at Stockton Golf and Country Club.

Tickets for this high profile event are $30 until Nov. 7 and $35 thereafter, and are available by calling Heid Altamirano at 547-2764 or e-mailing heidi@stocktonchamber.org. Tickets will NOT be available at the door.