Mechanics Bank Vice President Sally Gesouras was honored as the winner of the 2016 Athena Award during the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting and dinner Thursday.Pam Siegenthaler, who worked for Mansfield Typewriter then made a career in the community service sector heading up the Richland County Foundation, won the 2016 Chairman’s Award.Extraordinary Leadership Awards went to Fred Boll, executive director of the Little Buckeye Museum, Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau meeting and marketing director Kim Miers, and David Eichinger of Merrill Lynch, who helped the MedCentral Health Systems board make the transition in its merger with OhioHealth, the state’s third largest hospital system.The dinner was at the Kehoe Center in Shelby.Gesouras, assistant vice president for commercial lending for Mechanics Bank, graduated from both the Mansfield and Ashland Leadership Unlimited programs, and was a past TWIN honoree.“For over 25 years, Sally has acted as a visible and active community member throughout the Mansfield-Richland County area,” said former Athena winner Becky Toomey.Gesouras “has supported the advancement of business women, not only in the banking industry, but also the many community boards and activities in which she is involved, including Altrusa International of Mansfield, Catalyst Life Services, North Central State College Foundation, Braintree, Lexington Soccer Association, and is a member of the Women’s Fund Committee through the Richland County Foundation,” Toomey said.Gesouras also serves as a pillar co-chair for United Way of Richland County and is involved in the the Mansfield YMCA’s 150th anniversary celebration.Gayle Gorman Green, who nominated Gesouras, was quoted as saying chances are good that if there is a community event in Mansfield, “Sally will be there.”Athena Award recipients have achieved a high level of excellence in their professions, and serve as strong examples of female leaders for all who work with them, said past Athena Award winner Melanie Riggleman.“Sally is a connector — of people, businesses and organizations. She’s always looking for ways that she can help people move ahead in life and she does so with a generous attitude,” Riggleman said.“She contributes an incredible amount of time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community through the many boards she serves, supporting education, entrepreneurs, women and those with developmental disabilities within the community, among other groups. She is passionate about helping all members of the community, especially women, to realize their full leadership potential,” she added.Two semi-finalists for the Athena Award, Annamarie Fernyak and Jodie A. Perry, also were honored Wednesday night.