SAS receives ATHENA Global Organizational Leadership Award for women empowerment, diversity and inclusion efforts

In recognition for commitment to fostering an inclusive, diverse culture that encourages women to achieve their full leadership potential, SAS will receive the 2021 ATHENA Global Organizational Leadership Award. One of only three organizations to have ever received the award, SAS will accept the recognition on International Women’s Day March 8 at 1 p.m. ET at a global virtual webinar with renowned author Carla Harris. SAS joins individual ATHENA award recipients that include Harris, astronaut Christina Koch and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Analytics leader will receive the award during free virtual International Women's Day event March 8

ATHENA International, a global nonprofit organization that aims to empower women leaders – especially in underrepresented fields – will honor SAS for its commitment to empowering women to take on leadership roles, support of women and girls in the STEM community and dedication to providing development opportunities specific to women employees and technologists.

“SAS has always been committed to creating a workplace culture where all employees are empowered to embrace their individuality and curiosity to think differently,” said Michelle Proctor, Chief of Staff for Risk Research and Quantitative Solutions at SAS and sponsor of the SAS Women’s Initiatives Network (WIN), an internal employee inclusion group with over 1,000 members globally. “Through WIN and external support of women in STEM and educational outreach for girls, including the SAS Women in Analytics (WIA) Network, SAS helps uplift women across our often male-dominated industry and encourages the next generation of women innovators.”

SAS WIA aims to strengthen diversity in the analytics field, providing members inspirational events, career development and personal brand-building opportunities like its virtual casting call open for idea submissions from women and male allies across the industry.

“It’s an honor to be receiving such a prestigious award,” said SAS Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Jenn Mann, who will accept the award during the webinar event hosted by SAS WIA. “SAS has a long history of empowering and inspiring women. We believe it’s critical for not just for our success, but our communities, and are committed to fostering an environment that supports personal and professional growth.”

ATHENA International has recognized this long-standing commitment to nurturing a diverse, meaningful culture. “SAS exemplifies our ATHENA Leadership Model, values and mission, cultivating an inclusive culture that helps women achieve their full leadership potential and contributing to improving the community we share,” said Ann Playter, President of ATHENA International. “We are excited to recognize SAS’ notable contributions on such an important day for women around the world.”

Register for the free webinar event to hear from Carla Harris, Vice Chairman of Global Wealth Management and Senior Client Advisor for Morgan Stanley, whose impressive list of accomplishments include being named by Fortune Magazine as one of “The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America.” Harris and Mann will also participate in a Q&A discussion with audience members.