The Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations of “an outstanding woman who best exemplifies exceptional professional achievement, devotion to community service and generosity in actively assisting other women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.”

Deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. March 10. The International ATHENA Leadership Award will be given April 20 at the Ritz-Carlton, 1881 Curtis St. in Denver.

“It is not common for women to walk across the stage during recognition ceremonies and this award truly honors a woman who absolutely deserves the recognition,” said Donna Evans, the chamber’s president, in a news release.

This year’s ATHENA award dinner will feature keynote speaker Kristin D. Russell, a director with Deloitte Digital who is leading the firm’s national digital government strategy.

Russell is “a dynamic executive with more than 15 years’ experience in leading large operations, services, and information technology organizations,” the release said.

Formerly, Russell was appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper in February 2011 to serve as secretary of technology and chief information officer for Colorado.

Preceding the dinner is a half-day conference featuring the program “Igniting Women to Pursue their Highest Aspirations,” which will include sessions and programming about professional development and relationship building.

For more information regarding nominations, the ATHENA award dinner or the ATHENA conference, go online to www.cwcc.org.

About the CWCC

Since its inception in 1988, the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce has played a significant role in growing business in Colorado. With the mission of creating an environment and the resources conducive to its members’ business success, the CWCC is the premier organization providing opportunities and visibility for women in business through relationship development, education, mentorship, partnership and alliances. Visit them online for more information.