BOARDMAN - Karen Abrams, a Liberty resident who serves as senior vice president and senior trust adviser for PNC Bank, received the 2012 Athena Award.
The award was presented Thursday night at the Mahoning Valley's 20th annual Athena Award Dinner before nearly 700 people at Mr. Anthony's.
Abrams, one of 25 area women nominated for the award, began her career with National City Bank, now PNC Bank, in 1997 as an assistant vice president in the Private Client Group and was quickly promoted to vice president.
Three years ago she was promoted to senior vice president and senior trust adviser in PNC's Wealth Management Department. In 2011, Abrams was one of the top revenue producers of the western region of PNC Wealth Management.
Her first job in the area was the first woman attorney hired in the legal department of the Edward J. DeBartolo Corp.
Abrams is a member of the Mahoning / Shenango Estate Planning Council and the Mahoning Valley Bar Association. Abrams serves on the boards of the Youngstown Symphony, Mahoning Valley College Access Program, Fellows Riverside Gardens and the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, where she is assistant treasurer. She also is a member and past president of the Junior League of Youngstown.
She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law and received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Kenyon College.
The award recognizes area business and professional women who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen career, provided leadership in the community and mentored or contributed to the growth of other professional women.
Also during the dinner, Rebecca J. Soldan of Austintown, a senior majoring in social work at Youngstown State University, received the sixth annual Athena Scholarship.
The $1,500 award was created in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley to reward initiative and excellence in her educational or work pursuits, a proven record of community involvement and service and commitment to and experience in mentoring others. Soldan also received an iPad donated by Lee and Bonnie Deutsch Burdman.