DeKalb Community Services Coordinator Named 2024 ATHENA Award Recipient

The City of DeKalb congratulates our Community Services Coordinator, Jennifer Yochem, who has been named this year's recipient of the ATHENA Award for her service as a role model through professional accomplishment and community involvement.

Jennifer received the recognition at the 35th Annual ATHENA & Women of Accomplishment Award Reception hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce at the Egyptian Theatre on Oct. 10.

The ATHENA Award is an international program recognizing women who excel in their profession, volunteer in their community and serve as mentors to help other women reach their leadership potential.

"Jennifer is most deserving of the prestigious ATHENA Award for 2024," said City Manager Bill Nicklas. "She is a lifetime promoter of DeKalb and her community service is unparalleled. For Jennifer, service is more than a job or a duty; it is a joy."

In her role at the City of DeKalb, Jennifer deploys federal and local funding to help revitalize neighborhoods while supporting vulnerable residents, local businesses and the community's nonprofit network. She is also a government leader in meeting unexpected community challenges such as helping to secure aid for dozens of residents displaced by an apartment fire this spring. Before joining the City, Jennifer helped families find affordable housing for 15 years at the Housing Authority of DeKalb County.

Jennifer's community service extends far beyond her professional role. She is Board Chair of the Kishwaukee United Way, Vice Chair at Act of Grace, Vice Chair of the Northern Illinois Homeless Commission and a Family Service Agency Board member. She serves on the multi-disciplinary team at Elder Care Services and has volunteered with numerous organizations including Hope Haven, Taking Care of Caretakers, Feed My Starving Children, Networking for Families, AYSO and Corn Fest. She is also actively involved in the DeKalb Chamber through its Ambassadors and Gather programs and previously served on the Chamber Board.

The City would also like to congratulate the other finalists for this year's ATHENA Award: Celine Bennett, Independent Sales Director, Mary Kay Cosmetics; Jeanine Holcomb, Marketing & Communications Director, Egyptian Theatre; Sabrina Nicholson, Director, Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center and Behavioral Health Services; and Cortney Strohacker, Executive Director, DeKalb County Convention & Visitors Bureau. We also congratulate this year's Woman of Accomplishment Honoree Jan VanderMeer. Thank you all for your positive contributions to the DeKalb community.

Photo: Mayor Cohen Barnes congratulates Community Services Coordinator Jennifer Yochem after she was announced as the 2024 recipient of the ATHENA Award.