Catalyst Awards 2025
Every year, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC honors the bold, visionary, and dynamic leaders and organizations creating change in the Harrisburg region at the annual Catalyst Awards. These awards are presented to those making a difference in our communities, creating more opportunities for businesses and building a brighter future for our region. Additionally, you do not have to be a member of the Chamber & CREDC to be nominated to win a Catalyst Award!
Open to All: Each award category is open to all nominees without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Members of the organization’s boards of directors are ineligible to be nominated.
Photos from the 2024 Catalyst Awards
The ATHENA Award
The ATHENA Leadership Award celebrates exemplary leadership and is reflective of a quote by Plato: What is honored in a country will be cultivated there. Over 7,000 Recipients have been honored with the ATHENA Leadership Award since the program’s inception in 1982. Presented to leaders across professional sectors, the ATHENA Leadership Award’s rich history, international scope and focus on mentorship distinguish it as one of the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive.
ATHENA Leadership Award Nominees must meet each of the following three criteria:
- Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession
- Provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community
- Actively assist women in achieving their full leadership potential
Past Award Winners:
- 2024: Barb Bowker
- 2023: Virginia Roth
- 2022: Kathleen McKenzie
- 2021: Lisa Stokes
- 2020: Sharon Ryan
Submit your ATHENA Award nomination here.
The Catalyst Award
The most prestigious award given by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC is the Catalyst Award. The Catalyst Award honors an individual or group of individuals whose leadership, business or governmental activities and community service have best exemplified the organization’s goal of being a Catalyst for our region in making it a better place to live, work and play. In short, it is special recognition for a person, group or organization who has made a difference over the past year or perhaps over a lifetime of service to the region.
Past Winners:
- 2024: Joe Massaro
- 2023: Corrie Lingenfelter
- 2022: M&T Bank and Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Harrisburg University of Science & Technology
- 2021: George Nahodil
- 2020: Joe Arthur
Submit your Catalyst Award nomination here.
The Diversity Leader of the Year
The Diversity Leader of the Year is someone who works in their community and/or organization to promote diversity and inclusion. This individual or group of people has shown exemplary leadership in ensuring that all individuals are included. They have supported or pioneered projects or programs involving the advancement of diversity and inclusion.
Past Award Winners:
- 2024: Dr. Kimeka Campbell
- 2023: TE Connectivity’s African Heritage ERG – PA Chapter
- 2022: John “Ski” Sygielski
- 2021: McNees Wallace & Nurick’s Task Force for Legal Equity Advancement Program
- 2020: George Fernandez
Submit your Diversity Leader of the Year Award nomination here.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award honors an entrepreneur(s) who has taken a risk and demonstrated creativity, self-motivation and strong vision. The Entrepreneur of the Year should be an individual or a group of individuals who assumed the financial risk of starting and operating a business venture. This individual or group of individuals must have founded (not purchased) at least one company (no franchises) and that company must be in existence a minimum of three years. Further, the company must also be a locally owned and operated for-profit entity and headquartered in Cumberland, Dauphin or Perry counties.
Past Award Winners:
- 2024: George Fernandez (Color & Culture, Latino Connections)
- 2023: Jonathan Bowser (Steelworks Construction)
- 2022: Derek Dilks (Dilks Enterprises)
- 2021: Amma Johnson (AMMA JO)
- 2020: Todd Phillips (True Legends Barbershop)
Submit your Entrepreneur of the Year Award nomination here.
The Government Leader of the Year Award
The Government Leader of the Year Award is a special recognition for someone who has made a difference over the past year, or perhaps even over a lifetime of service to the region. Nominees must be an individual or group of individuals whose elected or appointed leadership in governmental activities, public administration or legislative leadership best exemplifies the Chamber’s goal of good government, good public policy, and leadership on an issue of interest to the membership of the Chamber or the region in general.
Past Award Winners:
- 2024: Representatives Justin Fleming and Thomas Kutz
- 2023: Senator Greg Rothman
- 2022: Nathan Silcox
- 2021: Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor
- 2019: Representative Sheryl Delozier
Submit your Government Leader of the Year Award nomination here.
The Small Business of the Year Award
The Small Business of the Year Award honors a small business that demonstrates staying power and innovation and has a strong commitment to the community. The Small Business of the Year must be a locally owned and operated for-profit entity, headquartered in Cumberland, Dauphin, or Perry counties. Total employment may not exceed 100 and annual revenue cannot exceed $20 million.
Past Award Winners:
- 2024: Nothing Bundt Cakes – Camp Hill
- 2023: Burn30
- 2022: Cornerstone Coffeehouse
- 2021: Macris Chocolates
- 2020: Viscul Creative
Submit your Small Business of the Year Award nomination here.
Interested in Sponsoring this event?
ADDITIONAL SPONSORSHIP LEVELS:
*EXCLUSIVE INDIVIDUAL AWARD SPONSORSHIPS – $4,500
Awards Available: Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Government Leader of the Year Award
Gold level benefits plus:
- Opportunity to present award onstage
- Sponsor highlight on Chamber & CREDC social media
- Company logo placed in Chamber & CREDC event emails, virtual invitation and post event email survey
For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities fill out our sponsorship form.
