Iowa Women Lead Change is seeking nominations for the annual Quad Cities Athena Leadership and Male Champion of Change awards.

The awards, previously facilitated by the Quad Cities Women’s Connection, are intended to elevate and honor women who are setting a gold standard in their business and community leadership, and who are helping to bring along the next generation of female leaders.

One woman will be selected from the top five Athena nominees to be the 2018 Athena Leadership Award recipient and be announced at the awards ceremony March 29. 

A nominee for the Athena Awards must:

• Be a leader in business or her profession.
• Serve as a role model to other women in her profession or community.
• Display creativity and innovation and contribute these talents toward growth in her profession.
• Contribute time and energy to bettering her community.

The Male Champion for Change Award honors a man from the region who exhibits exceptional commitment to the acceleration of women in leadership and who uses his influence and talents to enhance gender diversity.

More information on both awards can be found online. Applications are due Feb. 20.