Athena San Diego began as an informal networking group for women members of UCSD CONNECT, San Diego's innovative program for entrepreneurship. It became a formal, membership-based organization in 1998, open to women executives at CONNECT member companies. In 2001, Athena San Diego became a stand-alone, member program under the auspices of UCSD Extension. In 2008, the organization moved from UCSD/Rady School of Management to become an independently operated non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors.

Timeline

2008 – Athena San Diego becomes independently operated 501(c)(6) non-profit organization and establishes the 501(c)(3) Athena San Diego Foundation

2006 – Athena moves to the Rady School of Management

2004 – Athena/Rady School FlexMBA scholarship created

2004 – Century Club created to support Athena Scholarship Program

2001 – Athena becomes a stand-alone program under UCSD Extension

2001 – Annual Athena Survey launched

2000 – Associate Member category created

1999 – Athena Scholarship Program inaugurated

1999 – First Pinnacle Awards presented

1999 – FEW (Forum for Executive Women) launched

1998 – UCSD Athena formalized as a membership-based organization

(prior) – Athena is an informal, network group of UCSD CONNECT