The ATHENA PowerLink program is made available through the ATHENA Foundation and administered locally by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Society to help women-owned businesses expand profitably through the use of professional advisory panels.

The program "links" a business with a panel of advisors recruited to meet the specific needs of that business. Business owners learn to network, access capital and implement best practices from these volunteer advisors. The panel works with the business owner at no cost for one year to assist her in meeting her business objectives.

Companies can submit an application to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Society requesting consideration for an advisory panel by completing an application form and questionnaire and submitting it with a non-refundable $40 application fee.

Businesses will be individually matched with an advisory panel after undergoing review from the business professionals within the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Society. Because this group consists of volunteers, the application fees are used to pay for printing and administrative costs of operating the program in Anchorage.

These advisory panel members serve a one-year term at no cost to the business. Advisory panel meetings are held quarterly. At the business owner’s request the advisors may voluntarily meet with the owner outside the regular quarterly sessions.

All selections will be made by members of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Society based on the determination of the applicant’s ability to effectively use an advisory panel.

Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be considered:

• 51 percent owned and actively managed by a woman

• Minimum of two years in operation

• Minimum of two full time employees (including self)

• Minimum annual revenues of $250,000 for manufacturing or retail businesses

• Minimum annual revenues of $100,000 for service businesses.

• Clearly defined objectives for the next twelve months and specific reasons for seeking an advisory panel to help meet those objectives.

The business owner is responsible for providing a suitable meeting place for the advisory panel. In addition, the business owner provides the meeting agenda and any appropriate materials for the advisory panel members such as financial statements, an executive summary of activities, company literature and the business plan.

The business owner must identify specific company problems requiring the advice of panel members. Ultimately, the business owner is responsible for accepting or rejecting the suggestions made by advisory panel members.

Anchorage Chamber of Commerce 

ATHENA Society

441 W. 5th Avenue, Ste. 300

Anchorage, AK 99501

Tel: (907) 272-2401

Fax: (907) 272-4117

E-mail: info@anchoragechamber.org