Athena Award winners: Be more than the star player; add women to the roster, spotlight

A good leader understands that success isn’t just about themselves, it’s about opening doors for others, DePrice Taylor said, noting that this year’s ATHENA award honorees are both women who fully embody that philosophy.

DePrice community relations executive director for the Kansas City Current and 2025 winner of the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, speaks during the 2026 honors; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“Women leaders make our community stronger,” Price, community relations executive director for the Kansas City Current and 2025 winner of the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, continued Tuesday during the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s awards ceremony at Union Station.

The 2026 honors recognized two high-profile women: Angie Long, founder of Palmer Square Capital Management and co-founder and owner of the Kansas City Current (recipient the 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award); and Elaina Paige, CEO and founder of The Next Paige Talent Agency (winner of the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award).

“I’m grateful to have no greater representation than our leader and our co-owner, founder Angie Long,” Price said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead and the opportunities that you provide for others.”

“And what stands out most about Elaina is that she has taken her experiences and brought them right back here to Kansas City,” Price added. “That’s something she said she would do and she’s used them to create opportunities for others.”

The ATHENA award is inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom, and enlightenment, according to the Chamber.

“For a quarter of a century, the KC Chamber has had the privilege of recognizing women whose leadership has made a difference — not only through what they have accomplished professionally — but through how they have served their communities and how they have helped others find and realize their own leadership potential,” said Lindsay Jarquio, director of leadership development for the Chamber.

“What makes the ATHENA Award so meaningful is that it recognizes not just success, but the ripple effect of leadership and how one woman’s vision, courage, and determination can create opportunities and inspire change for so many others,” added Jenny Pearson, audit managing director for KPMG, sponsors of the awards.

Whether Long is growing companies, building a global sports platform, or creating opportunities for young women in athletics, she has demonstrated that leadership is not simply about being the first or breaking through a barrier, noted Christine Kemper, founder of Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy and recipient the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award.

It’s about building something that allows those who follow to break through, too.

Angie Long, Kansas City Current and Palmer Square Capital Management, laughs on stage after being honored with the 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

As chief investment officer and principal owner of Palmer Square Capital Management, Long has helped build the firm into a global investment powerhouse, Kemper continued. Throughout her career in finance, Long has been a pioneer in credit and fixed income, developing innovative approaches that have helped shape an industry. But her impact extends far beyond Wall Street. In 2020, she and her husband, Chris Long, helped bring professional women’s soccer to Kansas City with the launch of the Kansas City Current.

“Perhaps the most fitting way to describe Angie is as an investor in people and possibilities,” Kemper explained. “She sees potential where others may see limitations, and then she has the courage and determination to build what comes next.”

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Long said she’s happy to have been able to make an impact on the city where she grew up, left, returned to, and where they have chosen to raise their family for the last 20 years.

“I’m grateful to have made a difference for athletes,” she continued. “Competing and playing sports has always been a huge piece of my life. I’m grateful to stand on the shoulders of those before me who paved the way for the dream of a best-in-class stadium and experience for watching and supporting women’s soccer, I’m grateful to play a role in raising the bar and showing the world what is possible when we invest in female athletes and invest in our city.”

“I’m so proud to be a part of what the younger generation sees as normal for women’s sports,” she added. “I’m so proud and honored to be trusted with helping to scope an entirely new neighborhood for Kansas City on the riverfront, and I’m proud to stand for a commitment to excellence.”

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While Long is a champion of female athletes, Paige is a champion for other creators, Price noted.

Elaina Paige, CEO and founder of The Next Paige Talent Agency, accepts the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Paige — an accomplished dancer and choreographer who has performed with Beyonce and on “America’s Got Talent” — founded The Next Paige Talent Agency (Kansas City’s first female, Black-owned talent agency) and the Next Paige Foundation, helping creatives pursue their dreams through resources, opportunities, and training.

“She’s using her talent, her experience, and her entrepreneurial spirit to make Kansas City a place where creatives — particularly those who may not have always had the access and the opportunity — can see a path forward,” Price explained.

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Paige said she’s grateful for the growth, the contracts, the recognitions, and moments such as this one, but the greatest reward is the lives that have been changed.

“It’s hearing that something we created gave someone else permission to dream even larger,” she continued. “And it’s knowing that what began as my passion has become a pathway for someone else’s purpose. That is why giving back cannot be something we only do after we become successful. Giving back must be a part of how we define success.”

“So, to every leader in this room today,” Paige charged, “let us continue living authentically, learning consistently, advocating fiercely, acting courageously, fostering collaboration, building relationships, giving back, and celebrating one another. Let us create tables large enough for more voices, more ideas, and more dreams. Because leadership is not measured only by how far we go; it is measured by the impact we make.”

Stephen Penn, office managing partner, audit, KPMG, speaks on stage during the 2026 ATHENA Awards; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

KMPG was also given the special recognition of the ATHENA Organizational award for a quarter-century of sponsorship for Kansas City’s award ceremony.

“For 25 years, KPMG has helped make it possible for us to recognize and celebrate women’s leadership in our community,” Jarquio noted. “The organization has demonstrated leadership in advancing women and fostering an inclusive culture where women can achieve their full leadership potential.”

The Chamber also announced a new ATHENA award coming in 2027 — the ATHENA Youth Leadership award — which will recognize students under the age of 18 in the greater Kansas City region who are empowering and amplifying the voices of women and girls.

“The ATHENA Youth Leadership award highlights individuals that are creating an environment that is inclusive and collaborative, where others feel valued and respected.” Jarquio explained. “This award recognizes exceptional youth leaders who are expanding and deepening their impact by how they live and lead in their community.”