When Joanne Kudrna sits down with a young woman at the start of her career, she listens first. Then, with a mix of encouragement and challenge, she helps that woman see possibilities she may not have imagined for herself. For Joanne, these mentoring conversations—whether with students, colleagues, or community leaders—have always been as important as any boardroom strategy session. It’s this lifelong dedication to lifting others up that has earned her the 2025 ATHENA Award, presented by the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation.
The ATHENA Award is a lifetime achievement honor, recognizing women leaders who inspire excellence in others through their professional accomplishments and personal example. Joanne was selected because of her consistent commitment to mentoring and empowering women, as well as her ability to guide organizations and communities through thoughtful strategy and leadership.
Her journey to becoming a trusted leader and mentor has been shaped by both professional and personal chapters. After early career roles at Honeywell and Venture Allies, Joanne joined Granite Partners, where she served for two decades as Director of Strategy Services. In that role, she worked closely with company boards and executive teams, helping them create clear, actionable plans for growth and alignment. Today, she continues to represent Granite Partners on the GEOTEK and All Flex Boards of Directors, applying her expertise in organizational strategy.
But Joanne’s story goes far beyond professional success. Rick Bauerly, Founder & CEO of Granite Partners, nominated her for the award, saying: “Joanne exemplifies excellence in her personal, professional, and community work. She has mentored and empowered women and men toward their full leadership potential. She has guided organizations with her strategy expertise and has given her time, talent, and resources to strengthen Central Minnesota as a place to live, work, play, and raise a family.”
That community commitment is evident in Joanne’s volunteer work. She has mentored through the Granite Mentoring Initiative and the BIG Partners program, a collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN and the St. Cloud School District. She has also shared her strategic planning expertise with nonprofits, supported the Women’s Fund, and contributed as a volunteer, advisor, donor, and fundraiser.
Through all of this, Joanne has lived out the mission of the ATHENA Award: to recognize and honor women who achieve excellence while inspiring others to reach their full potential. Her story is not only one of professional achievement but of quiet, steady influence—helping others see their strengths, believe in their abilities, and take the next step with confidence.
As Joanne accepts the 2025 ATHENA Award, she does so not just as a recognition of her past accomplishments, but as a celebration of the lives she has touched and the leaders she continues to inspire.