Tara VanDerveer, Stanford University’s head women’s basketball coach, is this year’s Athena Award winner.
Selected by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, the award goes to an “exceptional woman who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession; contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community; and actively assists women in realizing their full leadership potential,” according to a news release.
“Tara has had a positive and lasting influence on the hundreds of young women who have benefited from not only the basketball skills she has taught them, but from the life skills upon which she places equal influence. She … serves as a wonderful role model,” Lanie Wheeler, former Palo Alto mayor, wrote in a recommendation letter.
VanDerveer will receive her award at a Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto on Nov. 16; tickets are available by calling 650-324-3121 or www.paloaltochamber.com.