ATHENA Story 2021 by Marlene Corey, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce

As the 25th recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award I must first express my heartfelt gratitude and honour to the women who came before me. First and foremost, Loretta Stoyka, who back in 1996 through persistence and trailblazing leadership brought the ATHENA Leadership Award to our region with the support of the Windsor Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. This was a bold innovation and the first Canadian organization to do so. Stoyka is also the founder of the ATHENA Scholarship Fund (Windsor).

Furthermore, a big thank you to Cogeco and the YourTV team for supporting me and providing me with the opportunity and resources to be so engaged and invested in the community that I love. The community which has been so good to my family and I.

Here is my raw, real story of how struggle and hardship forced me to grow and heal. The ability to give back and to share my passion has brought so much joy and light into my life.

I am the youngest of 5 kids who grew up in downtown Toronto. Money was always tight but we had hugs. My Dad was a truck driver and my loving Mother worked midnights in a factory, which made us kids resilient and we took care of each other. My sisters were my role models and taught me at an early age to work hard, get a job and take care of myself. Nothing was going to be handed to us on a silver platter.

Getting involved in school activities and free sports programming was the saving grace in my active youth. Sports helped me to work out my anger and to deal with our family struggles which I was powerless to control or fix, regardless of how hard I tried. Along the way I was criticized by the male figures in my family and group of friends that sports were a waste of time for girls. They informed me that my legs were too big because of all the soccer I was playing. The stereotypes and insecurities of trying to be a sweet, demure, female started to set in.

I continued to immerse myself in free school activities such as student council, cheerleading and drama, just to be away from home. In my final year of secondary school I was honoured to be Student Council President and Class Valedictorian. Taking a big leap, I moved far away from home and attended the University of Windsor to study communications. At that time, I was the first member of my family to attend university. I was not the strongest student but I possessed an optimistic drive for a better life. Unbeknownst to me, I was guided by the "Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership". I had to act courageously and branch out on my own as leaders dare to do. I had to break the limitations of the female stereotype. I was able to be strong and daring but still likeable. I learned constantly with every new job and technical advancement but at the core of my leadership style is the sincere motivation to give back.

Through years of hard work as an intern and collaboration on local TV projects, I was hired as a producer with the local cable channel. I worked 15 hour days learning all aspects of television production and said “yes” to countless large scale TV productions. Over many years, I was able to build strong relationships with city leaders, artists, sports teams and charity agencies. Leaders engage, empower and trust.

As my career progressed, it was ironic that it wasn't the big budget events which inspired me any longer. The most fulfilling aspect of my job was working with the interns and young crew members. It was my time to help build up the confidence and push others to their potential just like so many coaches, teachers and peers had pushed me.

Sharing my experience brought me so much joy. "We cannot become what we don’t see". In my limited spare time I coached girls soccer, volunteered for local committees and boards, and found any way to give back to the community that I love and have called home for over 40 years. Along with my supportive, loving husband Brett Corey and our two incredible daughters Blair and Erika, we collectively realize the importance of volunteering and giving back.

For Life is an Echo...
In today’s fractured world, we all need to echo more compassion, inclusion and understanding now more than ever! Our wise elders always say, "The more you give, the more you receive". I am so grateful and truly honoured to be receiving the Windsor- Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Leadership Award. I look forward to supporting the next generation to reach their potential as so many teachers, coaches and strong women elevated me to reach mine.