June 16, 2026 – the Metro South Chamber of Commerce and Eastern Bank held the 28th Annual ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon at Massasoit Community College in Brockton. The event recognized extraordinary leadership and community impact, featured guest speaker Shaleen Title, Lawyer and Educator, Regulation of Emerging Industries (AI, Cannabis) and celebrated this year’s ATHENA awardee, Christiana Odunze.
We were joined by State Representative Bridget Plouffe who presented Odunze with an Official Citation. Event sponsor, Senior Vice President, Senior Client Portfolio Manager, Cambridge Trust, a Division of Eastern Bank was interviewed by SEED Corporation Executive Director, Sue Murray.
During the program, attendees learned about the ATHENA Award’s origins and mission. Based on the Greek goddess Athena, it celebrates individuals who excel in their careers, uplift others (especially women), and enrich their communities. Since its start in 1982, over 8,000 leaders in 500+ communities globally have been honored.
Christiana Odunze is a respected healthcare leader, nurse practitioner, and community advocate based in Stoughton. As Vice President of Healthcare Services at BAMSI, she has spent more than 15 years helping improve healthcare access and support systems for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities throughout the Metro South region. A Board-Certified Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Christiana earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Curry College and her Master of Science in Nursing from Post University. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in developing innovative healthcare initiatives, including helping create BAMSI’s Healthcare Services Department and its in-house pharmacy, while also leading efforts to transition individuals from long-term care facilities into community living. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Christiana is deeply involved in the Stoughton community. She serves as Secretary of the Stoughton Disability Commission and is active with the Stoughton Economic Opportunity Commission and Stoughton Diversity and Inclusion Organization. She is also known as a mentor and advocate for women in healthcare, supporting the next generation of nurses and healthcare professionals through mentorship, scholarship initiatives, and leadership development programs. Recognized for her compassionate leadership and commitment to equity, Christiana has become a trusted voice in both healthcare and community service across the Metro South region.
The event reaffirmed the Metro South Chamber’s commitment to supporting leadership and promoting women in business. Sponsors like Eastern Bank, MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Board, and Massasoit Community College played a key role in making the day a success.
All attendees left energized – celebrating a trailblazer whose courage, compassion, and commitment to others exemplify the ATHENA mission. The 28th Annual ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon offered a powerful reminder: when women lead, communities thrive.
PC: Rich Morgan Photography. View the full photo album on flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCXNkc