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Celebrating the Winners of the 2025 ATHENA Awards

On September 5, the Pittsburgh Technology Council hosted the 2025 ATHENA Awards Program of Greater Pittsburgh at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh Hotel.

The Greater Pittsburgh ATHENA Award and ATHENA Young Professional Award recognizes exceptional women who demonstrate excellence in their profession, contribute to their community, and help other women and girls to succeed through mentorship.

2025 ATHENA Award Winner

Beth Bershok – Chief Marketing Officer, Louis Plung & Company

Beth Bershok serves as the Chief Marketing Oficer at Louis Plung & Company (LPC), a CPA firm that’s been serving clients in Pitsburgh for over 100 years. She joined the firm in October 2021 to develop marketing strategy, firm branding, strategic growth planning, staf development and pipeline management. With Beth’s help, the firm doubled in size and revenue in three years and was named a Fast 50 company by the Pitsburgh Business Times in 2024 and a Fast 50 accounting firm by Inside Public Accounting (IPA) in 2024.

Prior to her career in professional services marketing, Beth earned a degree in Speech Communications (radio & TV) from California University of Pennsylvania (now PennWest California) and went on to a 26-year career in radio. From 1990 to March of 2008, Beth served as co-host and producer of “Gary & Beth in the Morning” on Lite Rock 92.9 FM. In 2005, she was awarded Best Pitsburgh On-Air Personality by the Pitsburgh Radio and Television Club.

Beth uses this background in public speaking to serve as emcee and host for various community and nonprofit events including, in 2025, the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) Neuroscience Next and Professional Services Marketing Association (PSMA).

In 2019 and 2020, Beth served as the Chair of the Pitsburgh Walk to End Alzheimer’s and Vice Chair in 2018. The 2018 and 2019 Walks both raised over $500,000. Additional involvement in the Pitsburgh community includes serving on the Pitsburgh ATHENA Host Commitee (Vice Chair in 2013, 2014 and 2018-2020 and Chair in 2015 and 2016) and the Pitsburgh Symphony Soiree Commitee (2014 - 2017).

As a member of Women of the (Duquesne) Club, Beth served on the planning commitee for a one-of-a-kind immerse theater fundraiser held at the Duquesne Club in February 2020 and April 2022 – both of which raised close to $100,000 for the Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. In March 2025, Beth was named a Woman of Influence by the Pitsburgh Business Times.

In July 2023, Beth was named Co-Chair of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pennsylvania, an Association that serves 59 counties in western, central, and northeastern PA. She joined the Board in July 2021. Beth also currently serves as Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Greater Pitsburgh Arts Council. She joined the Board in 2018. 

2025 ATHENA Young Professional Award Winner

Madeline Adamczyk – Senior Marketing Strategist, Schneider Downs

Madeline Adamczyk is a strategic marketing professional and passionate advocate for public speaking excelence and meaningful mentorship, commited to creating a lasting positive impact in both her professional and personal spheres.

She is currently a Senior Marketing Strategist at Schneider Downs, a leading accounting and business advisory firm, where she develops and executes highimpact marketing campaigns that drive brand awareness, engagement, and measurable results. With seven years of experience in content strategy and development, she blends creative vision with tactical precision to help the firm achieve its strategic marketing goals.

Before joining Schneider Downs, she contributed to business planning and content strategy at BNY, supporting the Risk & Compliance department of the global financial services leader. Her earlier career included roles as a Digital Content Specialist, project contractor, and intern with Crown Castle, a wireless infrastructure provider, where she created digital content for IT-related learning and development initiatives.

A graduate of the University of Pitsburgh, she studied business and nonfiction writing, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Nonfiction Writing and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Her writing background continues to influence her marketing approach, alowing her to craft messaging that is both engaging and results-driven.

Beyond her professional role, she is deeply commited to leadership development and communication excelence. As the Vice President of Membership for the BNY Pittsburgh Toastmasters Club—and proud member for four years—she has served in four oficer positions, including Club President, honing not only her public speaking abilities but also her capacity to inspire and mentor others. She believes in the value of reciprocal mentorship, continuously seeking opportunities to learn from peers while sharing her own expertise. Guided by her introspective nature and personal commitment to chalenge herself beyond her comfort zone, she strives to make a positive impact in every professional and community endeavor she undertakes.

2025 ATHENA Award Finalists (in alphabetical order)

  • Eliada Griffin-EL, Ph.D. – S. Kent Rockwell Endowed Professor, Rockwell School of Business and Director, Massey Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Robert Morris University
  • Kathy Humphrey – President, Carlow University
  • Kristin Ioannou – Executive Director, Pennsylvania Women Work
  • MJ Klimas – Principal, Presence Plus

2025 ATHENA Young Professional Award Finalists (in alphabetical order)

  • Deanna David – Director of Programs, Variety the Children's Charity
  • Valerie Kerr, Ed.D. – Associate Director of Graduate Professional Development, Cooperative Education and Internships, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh