Athena joined SCC in 2020, having worked previously at the Center for Families in Cambridge, where she educated new parents on early childhood development and navigating childcare resources.  As a career coach with the First Source team, Athena connects with local employers to identify job opportunities for community members.  She helps motivate job seekers to fulfill their potential and achieve their dreams.  Athena loves to connect with all types of people and sees her work as not just helping a person find a job, but helping them develop resilience and a growth mindset. She believes that anything is possible when people have confidence in themselves.

About her work, Athena says “What I love about my job is knowing that every day on the job brings a new adventure. While I help people build their job readiness skills, I also have the privilege of meeting individuals with unique dreams and challenges. I love inspiring others to step beyond their comfort zones. Rather than settling for the easy way out, I encourage them to push their limits and discover strengths they never knew they had. It’s incredibly rewarding to show people that with a little courage, they can achieve more than they ever imagined. One of the toughest parts of my work is inspiring participants to trust the process—even when it doesn’t immediately reward all their skills and experience. It’s heartbreaking to see talented individuals face disappointment when they aren’t selected for a job. Yet, in those moments, I stand firm as their biggest cheerleader. I remind them that every setback is just a stepping stone and with belief in the journey, leads to success. I’m committed to supporting everyone, celebrating each small victory, and never giving up on their potential.”

Athena’s other passion is her family and friends and creating memories by cooking, traveling and enjoying what life has to offer.