Keri Lazarus Silvyn Named 2011 ATHENA Award Recipient

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Jackie Copp | jackie@maryschnack.com | 480.606.8180

Tucson, AZ (September 22, 2011) – Keri Lazarus Silvyn, Partner at Lewis and Roca LLP, was awarded the second annual ATHENA Leadership Award® for the Southern Arizona region at an awards luncheon hosted by the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) on Thursday, September 22, 2011.

Silvyn is a partner at Lewis and Roca LLP, and has practiced in the areas of zoning, land use, real estate and environmental law since 1998. She has made a name for herself as a leader in a practice that is dominated by men, particularly land use and zoning law.

"Keri is truly an inspirational leader,” said 2010 southern Arizona ATHENA recipient, Judy Clinco.  "Her commitment to a regional vision is guiding our community into the future.  Her character and values epitomize the ideals of the ATHENA Award.”

The ATHENA Leadership Award® honors exceptional women, and men, leaders worldwide who demonstrate the highest levels of professional excellence, give back to their communities and, most importantly, assist other women in realizing their full leadership potential. 

"Keri is absolutely deserving of this recognition,” said Donna Davis, ASBA CEO.  "Her leadership and contributions to the community are exceptional.  Keri’s energy and enthusiasm is contagious and her sense of humor is greatly appreciated.” 

Silvyn’s community involvement includes being the visionary behind Imagine Greater Tucson (IGT), a community based effort committed to making a better community for future generations.  She also serves as the Chair on the IGT Board of Directors.  Through her work with IGT she meets with neighborhood associations, environmental groups, businesses and other diverse community interests with the goal of finding the foundational values that will unite the region. 

Silvyn has also donated thousands of hours of pro-bono work through her law practice including to the Florence Immigrant Rights and Refugee Project, a nonprofit organization providing free legal services to men, women, and unaccompanied children detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Arizona. 

Committed to bringing up future leasers, Silvyn speaks to women, at conferences and one-on-one, on achieving a balance between career, community, and family.  The wife and mother of three knows the difficult decisions women must make when considering priorities and creating a healthy life balance.  Silvyn has also mentored a number of young lawyers through her law firm and the Arizona Women Lawyers Association.

The luncheon also honored the 2011 National ATHENA Award Recipient, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, in her native Tucson.  Giffords, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Houston, TX, was unable to attend the event. However, Rob Barber, the Southern Arizona District Director for Congresswoman Giffords, accepted the award on her behalf.  During the presentation of the National ATHENA Award U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz shared their congratulations for Congresswoman Giffords via video clip.

The nine other finalists for the Southern Arizona Award were:

Vicki Began, Vice President of Patient Services and Nursing at UMC.

Mary Darling, Owner of Darling Environmental and Surveying, Ltd.

Katharine Kent, President of The Solar Store.

Nancy Meech, Founding Partner of Heinfeld Meech & Co PC.

Marylee Pangman, Owner of The Contained Gardener.

Lesli Pintor, Senior Vice President of National Bank of Arizona.

Mary Rowley, President and Owner of Strongpoint Public Relations.

Dr. Soyeon Shim, Director of the University of Arizona’s John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Jan Woods, Hospital Administrator and Co-Owner of Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson.

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ATHENA International – Founded in 1982 by Martha Mayhood Mertz, ATHENA International is a non-profit organization that seeks to support, develop and honor women leaders.  The program inspires women to reach their full potential and strives to create balance in leadership worldwide. The annual ATHENA Leadership Award® is presented in over 500 communities in the United States, Canada, China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

About ASBA – The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) is a dynamic, growing community dedicated to entrepreneurial development and small business growth.  ASBA is the largest trade association in Arizona with over 10,000 member businesses and a reach to over ½ million employees.  ASBA members enjoy access to significant group discounts, countless opportunities to do business with each other, a wide array of insurance products, and active advocacy efforts on public policy issues to protect their businesses.   Discover more at www.asba.com. Join ASBA. Be amAZed®