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Deborah Pappas, known for her business savvy as a local bank manager and for her volunteer work in community-building programs, has been named the "Athena Award" winner for 2009.

She will become the 23rd winner of the prestigious "goddess" award, considered the highest community award for women. The award will be presented at a luncheon Sept. 9 at the Garden Court Hotel in downtown Palo Alto, according to Chamber President and CEO Paula Sandas.

Recipients "demonstrate excellence in their business or profession, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and generously assist women in attaining their full potential," Sandas said in an announcement.

Pappas is a senior vice president of Borel Private Bank and Trust Company and manages its Palo Alto office, a position to which she was named in 2005. She has developed the office into the largest in the Borel branch system.

She joined Borel in 1993 as the only woman on the commercial loan team in 1993, and quickly rose to be a top performer. She has served as a mentor to many other women in banking.

She also has helped guide Borel's financial contributions to local communities. Since 2002, Borel has contributed more than $200,000 to organizations in Palo Alto and surrounding communities.

Pappas also has committed personal time in both business and nonprofit organizations. She is a board member and past board chair of the Chamber and a board member of the Palo Alto Downtown Business and Professional District.

She has served with Junior Achievement of the Bay Area, Habitat for Humanity Builds, the East Palo Alto Boys and Girls Club, the "Yes!" reading program in Menlo Park's Belle Haven neighborhoods, the Girl Scouts and the Bring-a-Book Program.

She and her husband, attorney Steve Pappas, have two daughters.
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Pappas received a B.A. degree from New Mexico University and an MBA from Seattle University.

-- Palo Alto Weekly staff