Exceptional citizens: Athena finalists are beacons of professional achievement, generosity.

Athena Award finalists are women who have spent the better part of their lives not only building careers and often families, but building communities.

This year's honorees exemplify the spirit of career ambition and social responsibility that is synonymous with the award, presented annually by the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce.

Nominations for the Athena Award are submitted by the Colorado business community, and a panel of business and community leaders selects the finalists.

We think you'll enjoy learning about the paths this year's honorees took to reach this point as career women and as citizens. A case in point: Athena Award recipient Mimi Roberson spent 11 years as an attorney specializing in medical malpractice arbitration in Louisiana and at the same time seeking opportunities to volunteer, ultimately becoming...