Sam Schwoeppe Named 2026 ATHENA Award Winner

The Rotary Club of Dubois County honored some of the area’s most influential women Thursday night during the 14th Annual ATHENA Leadership Awards Event at the Huntingburg Event Center. 

This year’s ATHENA Leadership Award was presented to Sam Schwoeppe. 

 The ATHENA award recognizes women who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their profession, provide service that improves the lives of others, and actively help women reach their full leadership potential. 

 Six Dubois County women were named finalists for this year’s honor: 

 • Beatriz “Bea” Cobo-Becerra, ELL program and Outreach Coordinator for Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools; 

 • Retired Southwest Dubois educator Shannon Fuhs; 

 • Dubois County Emergency Management Agency Director Tammy Humbert; 

 • Team Mann McDonald’s owner and operator Susan Mann; 

 • Crisis Connection Executive Director Paula Rasche; 

 • Fresh Connect Central Director of Industry Partnerships Somula “Sam” Schwoeppe. 

Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush served as the evening’s keynote speaker. 

 The ATHENA International Program was founded in 1982 to support, develop and honor women leaders. The Rotary Club of Dubois County began presenting the local ATHENA Award in 2012. 

Manda Combs, coordinator for the annual event, on why the ATHENA Award is so important.

 A portion of the proceeds from Thursday night’s event will go to a charity selected by this year’s ATHENA recipient, with the remainder supporting the Rotary Club of Dubois County’s annual Community Grant Program. 

 Schwoeppe selected Crisis Connection to receive a portion of this year’s event proceeds.