Travel Highlights:
- Burbank Airport: 15 minutes
- Van Nuys Airport (Private): 15 minutes
- LAX: 35-45 minutes
January 28–30, 2027 · Hilton Los Angeles, Universal City
Your Community. Your Influence.
Leading 2027 and Beyond
Lead what's next. Join purpose-driven women leaders and allies for three immersive days of learning, connection, and celebration.
Powerful keynotes, hands-on micro-labs, wellness sessions, and dinner pods for networking intentional connection. Leave with clarity, confidence, and momentum.
—Days
—Hours
—Minutes
Presented by ATHENA International · Honoring women's leadership since 1982
WhenJanuary 28–30, 2027
WhereHilton Universal City/Los Angeles, CA
WhoPurpose-driven leaders
More than a conference
The leaders shaping the next decade are gathering in California for three days.
2027 ATHENA Conference is more than just a conference. It is a catalyst for leaders who want to expand influence while staying grounded in authenticity, equity, and measurable impact.
A legacy no one else can claim
44 years. One mission.
44 years. One mission.
Thousands of leaders.
1982The longest-standing recognition of women's leadership in the
world
10,000+ATHENA awards presented across our history
2,000+Leaders served through our global network
30+Countries represented
For more than four decades, ATHENA International has been a global nonprofit leader in recognizing, developing, and celebrating women leaders. In 2027, it convenes them.
The 2027 stage
Learn from the people leading it in real life
Women leaders and allies learning side by side with entrepreneurs, educators, community builders, and rising voices shaping what is next.
Ruthie Bolton
Global Award Recipient | Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist | Author
Keynote
Resilience, Authenticity, and Courage in Action
Read bio +
Bobby Hoffman
Motivational Speaker, Thought Partner Services
Keynote
Building Momentum without Burnout
Read bio +
Deb Hart
Trauma Sensitive Yoga Certified | iRest Meditation Teacher
Workshop
Reset and Rise: Wellness Rituals for High-Impact Leaders
Read bio +
Karol Pelletier
Chief Human Resources Officer
Keynote
Leadership Isn’t a Title: How to Influence at Any Level
Read bio +
Dr. Margaret Dimond
Regional President, UM Health-West & Sparrow Health System
Keynote
The Courage to Lead Now: Building Trust, Stability, and Hope in Complex Times
Read bio +
Dr. Moacir Antonelli Ponti
Author | AI/ML Expert | 2% Most Influential Scientists Worldwide
Keynote
Human-Centered AI Leadership for Real-World Impact
Read bio +
Dat Tran
Founder, Stress Fit Labs LLC | Coach & Speaker
Workshop
Stress Fitness: Navigating Change in the AI Era with Confidence
Read bio +
Karen Bird
CEO, Batchewana First Nation | President & Founder, Nakehndan
Keynote
Circles, Stories, and Shared Leadership
Read bio +
Nicole Noll-Williams
President and CEO, Capital Region Airport Authority
Workshop
Leading Through Turbulence: Courage, Clarity, and Calm Under Pressure
Read bio +
Traci Costa
President and CEO, ATHENA International
Keynote
Building Leadership Ecosystems That Scale Impact
Read bio +
Michelle Massey
Board Treasurer and Community Executive
Workshop
Partnerships That Open Doors for Women Leaders
Read bio +
Michele Reister
Vice President Marketing
Workshop
Visibility With Ease: Niche, Narrative, and Nourishing Community
Read bio +
More speakers and nearby attractions will be confirmed through January 2027.
Three days, built for depth
Not a lineup of talks. A leadership experience.
Keynotes & Panels
Build influence without a title, make calm decisions under pressure, and lead with trust, hope, and courage.
Hands-On Micro-Labs
Practice digital credibility, sustainable productivity, and practical self-advocacy in small-group sessions.
Connection That Matters
Intentional networking designed to build relationships that last, strengthen trust, and open the next right conversation.
Wellness Sessions
Morning wellness and leadership development that honors the whole human.
Three days a few minutes from Universal, Hollywood, and the coast. World-class leadership, world-class city.
The moment you'll remember
Live book signing with Ruthie Bolton
The Awards Celebration.
ATHENA doesn't just talk about leadership, it honors it. The Awards Celebration is where the women moving their communities forward are recognized on stage. It's the heart of three days, and you're in the room.
Featured guest
Ruthie Bolton
ATHENA Global Award Recipient and Olympic gold medalist, sharing her story during VIP experiences on January 30, 2027.
Is this for you?
If you lead, or you're about to, this room is yours.
- Women leaders, founders, educators, community and nonprofit leaders
- Emerging leaders stepping into bigger influence
- Allies committed to women's leadership
- Teams looking for strategic connection and momentum
- Leaders who want practical ideas they can use immediately
You don't need a title to belong here. You need the ambition to lead well.
Who we serve
Trusted by leaders at 500+ orgs
From Fortune 500 to startups, plus countless entrepreneurs and small teams, leaders choose ATHENA International to grow together.
ATHENA Conference Sponsors
LUASOLCollective
ATHENA sponsorship offers more than visibility, it's alignment with a mission-driven, influential leadership community.
Secure your seat
Choose your ATHENA 2027 experience
General Admission, VIP Experience access, and Celebration-only attendance.
ATHENA uses Zeffy for secure, no-fee event registration. Zeffy may add an optional tip at checkout. To remove it, select Custom Tip and enter $0. Any tip paid goes directly to Zeffy and cannot be refunded by ATHENA.
General Admission
$545$695
Early Bird pricing is limited and will sell out
- Three days conference in Los Angeles
- Breakfasts, lunches and receptions
- The ATHENA Awards Celebration
- Visionary keynotes
- Expert-led sessions
- Interactive micro-labs
- Curated wellness experiences
- Networking opportunities
- Access to ATHENA Community app
- Access to ATHENA Leadership Mini Labs with President & CEO Traci Costa
- Stay Where It HappensDiscounted rate at Hilton Universal City
Most Wanted · 50 seats only
VIP Experience
$795$995
Early Bird pricing is limited and will sell out
- Includes General Admission & Celebrate, plus:
- Exclusive VIP Reception with ATHENA Award Recipients
- Book signing with Award Recipient Ruthie Bolton
- ATHENA Awards Celebration with reserved seating
- VIP Concierge & Lounges
- Stay Where It HappensDiscounted rate at Hilton Universal City
Celebrate
$95
- The Awards Celebration
- Post-event networking
- General Admission & VIP Experience
Bringing your team? Group passes
make ATHENA 2027 Conference a shared experience. Perfect for
colleagues, friends, and communities who want to attend together,
learn together, and connect along the way.
Talk to us →
In the Heart of Universal City, CA
Hosted at the Hilton Universal City, ATHENA 2027 Conference places you steps from world-class entertainment while keeping you fully immersed in the experience.
Nearby Attractions:
Universal Studios, CityWalk dining and shopping, Griffith Park and Observatory, LA Zoo, Santa Monica Pier, Disneyland and California Adventure.
After you purchase your ticket, you will receive an email with the Hilton promotion and booking details for the ATHENA room block at Hilton Universal City.
For teams and organizations
Develop your leaders together.
Group tables, corporate rates, and partnership opportunities are available for organizations that want to align with ATHENA's leadership community. If you need a custom package, contact the ATHENA team.
Talk to us
From the community
The room changes how you lead
"The 2025 ATHENA conference was a thoughtful blend of expert speakers sharing their stories, meaningful networking and just plain fun. The relationships built there have continued to thrive long after the event. Grateful to be a part of the ATHENA community."
- KB
"The 2025 ATHENA Leadership Conference reignited the power of the ATHENA Leadership Model and its principles. I was grateful to connect with an incredible network of women across ATHENA communities who lead with courage, purpose, and impact."
- KG
"Every keynote and workshop provided tools, nuggets and gems for women in leadership. The 2025 ATHENA Conference was a great investment that continues to pay relationship dividends."
- PM
"The 2025 ATHENA Conference provided the opportunity to not only hear from inspiring women leaders, but to also connect with women in a meaningful way."
- MM
"At the last ATHENA Conference in 2025 I met leaders who opened real board and partnership conversations within weeks."
- DM
"Through engagements with ATHENA network, I refined my job craft narrative and connected to the right decision-makers."
- MR
"What stood out at the ATHENA 2025 Conference was the quality of women leaders who truly champion each other."
- PN
"The ATHENA Conference gave me practical frameworks I used immediately to grow my influence and leadership impact."
- DC
"The Conference sessions were high signal and immediately useful for growth and influence."
- EP
Good to know
Questions, answered.
January 28–30, 2027, at the Hilton Los Angeles, Universal City, CA.
Women leaders, founders, educators, community and nonprofit leaders, emerging leaders, and allies.
Designed for Every Stage of Leadership
- Impact & Influence - Professionals
- Impact & Influence - Youth
- Building Leadership Ecosystems
- Entrepreneurship & Business Growth
ATHENA's multi-track experience allows you to customize your journey while staying connected to the broader community.
For GA and VIP, all three days include keynotes, micro-labs, and curated networking. General Admission and VIP Experience also include the Awards Celebration. The Celebrate ticket is for a few hours of the event during the awards presentation. For a detailed comparison, ↑ Go to Tickets: compare each option line by line.
VIP Experience includes everything in General Admission, plus priority seating, exclusive access, and elevated experiences. VIP is limited to 50 seats.
Yes. Group tables and corporate rates are available. Contact us and we'll build your package.
Yes, and it is capped. High School is $145 and Higher Education is $295. Contact us with official proof of student status, and we will share the discount while capacity lasts.
Hilton Universal City is the host hotel, with easy access from Burbank, Van Nuys, and LAX. Parking and valet are available on site, and the venue keeps you close to sessions, dining, and nearby entertainment.
ATHENA 2027 brings together keynotes, panels, Hands-On Micro-Labs, Wellness Sessions, networking, and the ATHENA Awards Celebration. It is built to help you grow your leadership, your connections, and your momentum.
Yes. A limited ATHENA room block is available at Hilton Universal City. After registration, you will receive the booking details by email so you can secure the discounted rate while inventory lasts.
Yes. Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations that want to align with ATHENA's leadership community. For sponsor inquiries, contact the ATHENA team.
Secure online checkout is available during registration, with major payment methods accepted. If you need group, nonprofit, or corporate options not listed in Zeffy, contact the ATHENA team.
ATHENA uses Zeffy to manage event registration because the checkout experience is simple, secure, and fast for attendees.
Zeffy supports nonprofits by allowing organizations like ATHENA International, a 501(c)(3), to process registrations without transaction fees charged to the organization.
At checkout, Zeffy may prefill an optional contribution to support their nonprofit platform. This contribution is optional and is not required to complete your ATHENA ticket purchase.
- To remove it, click Custom Tip.
- Enter $0.
- Confirm your total before submitting payment.
If you choose to pay the tip, that amount is paid to Zeffy. ATHENA cannot reverse or refund that specific contribution.
Early Bird pricing is limited by time and quantity. All ticket sales are final, and substitutions may be permitted.
Hilton Universal City is the host hotel. After you purchase your ticket, you will receive an email with the Hilton promotion and booking details for the discounted ATHENA room block.
The next decade of leadership starts in one place
January 28–30, 2027 · Hilton Universal City, California
A
three-day immersive experience with opportunities and development you
will not find anywhere else.
Starting from $95Early bird pricing ends soon
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