Janelle Kendall, 2024 ATHENA Award Recipient

St. Cloud, Minn. – By day she’s mentoring the next generation of legal professionals and by night she’s rocking out on her guitar to some of your favorite classic hits, we are excited to announce this year’s ATHENA Award recipient is Janelle Kendall!
 
Selected through a nomination process hosted by the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, Janelle Kendall has accepted the 2024 ATHENA Award. The ATHENA Award is a lifetime achievement award recognizing exceptional women leaders who inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives. Janelle was chosen for the ATHENA Award because of her dedication to social justice, professional empowerment of women and being an advocate for girls in our St. Cloud community.
 
The mission of the ATHENA Award is to recognize and honor Central Minnesota women who have achieved excellence in their careers and who inspire others. Criteria for selection includes demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in her business or profession; provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the lives of others in Central Minnesota; and actively assists women in realizing their full leadership potential.
 
Patti Gartland, retired President of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, nominated Janelle for the ATHENA award. She says Janelle’s professional and personal lives embody what it means to be an ATHENA award recipient.  
 
“Janelle Kendall is a trail blazer, a champion for social justice, a proponent of women’s empowerment, a public safety zealot and a gifted musician.”
 
Janelle Kendall is currently the Stearns County Attorney, an elected position she’s held since 2003. Janelle is the first woman to hold this position in Stearns County. Over the course of her career, she’s prioritized the safety of women and girls through numerous public safety initiatives, including the prosecution of violent offenders, implementation of an anti-bullying program in area school districts as well as being instrumental in creating the Central Minnesota Child Advocacy Center. Janelle has been a professional mentor to countless women throughout her career. Currently, women make up over half of her staff.
 
Outside of her professional career, Janelle enjoys spending time with her husband of over 35 years and her children. She has a passion for music. Janelle currently plays guitar and does lead vocals for two local bands, Walter’s Wheelhouse and Janelle Kendall’s The Perfect Storm. Both bands frequently perform at the Pioneer Place on Fifth as well as other St. Cloud area venues.
 
Janelle Kendall will be honored June 10, 2024 at Women’s Fund Presents: Dancing with our Stars, Live! The event is hosted at the College of Saint Benedict. For more event information visit: communitygiving.org/wfp24
 
Past recipients of the award include Susan Mackert 1988, Colman O’Connell 1989, Peg Meyer 1990, Ann Thelen 1991, Nancy Fischer 1992, Diane Gohman 1993, Diana Murphy Podawiltz 1994, Dorothy Simpson 1995, Cheryl Lightle 1996, Connie Cross 1997, Sonja Sorensen Craig 1998, Patti Gartland 1999, Colette Carlson 2000, Marj Hawkins 2001, Sandy Neutzling 2002, Betty Schnettler 2003, Barb Carlson 2004, Joan Volkmuth 2005, Patt Adair 2008, Jan Bensen 2009, Elaine Bauerly 2010, Cindy Faye Johnson 2011, Molly Renslow 2012, Maxine Barnett 2013, Patricia Welter 2014, Ann Cofell 2015, Lynn Grewing 2016, Linda Eich DesJardins 2017, Tarryl Clark 2018, Bernie Perryman 2019, Dorraine “Dorrie” Larison 2020, Debra Leigh 2021, Geri Bechtold 2022, and Michelle Pape 2023.