Igniting Purpose. Inspiring Community.

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The Athena Why

The Athena Foundation cultivates a military sisterhood that elevates leaders through transformative outdoor experiences and continuous leadership development. Our mission is to make a difference.

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Our Impact

The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Group of people standing on a wooden front porch of a cabin, with a sign that reads 'Patrol Base Abbate' and 'Return to Base' in front of them, surrounded by trees.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Group of people sitting around a campfire site in a wooded outdoor setting, engaged in conversation or an activity.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Three women sit near a campfire in a forest, with one woman leading a discussion or giving instructions while the other two listen, surrounded by rocks and trees.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 -Person holding a white jewelry box with a gold necklace containing a religious medal. The box has an embossed brand name and contains a note inside.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Two women hugging outdoors during sunset, with a seated woman in the background on rocky terrain, with trees and mountains visible in the distance.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Person sitting on rocky mountain overlooking a valley and mountain ranges at sunset or sunrise.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Two women standing on a mountain trail holding a white flag with slogans and symbols, with trees and mountain ranges in the background at sunset.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Group of outdoor enthusiasts standing in a circle during a sunset in a mountainous forest area.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - A group of 13 women hiking outdoors on a mountain trail at sunset, some holding American flags and a banner that says "Return to Base" with a torch symbol.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Two women hiking on a rocky trail in the woods during sunset, one is taking a photo with her phone.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - People practicing yoga outdoors on mats in a forested area.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Group of women standing on grass near a lake with mountains and trees in the background.
The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Two women smiling outdoors in a wooded area, wearing casual athletic clothes and sunglasses, one with a backpack and the other with a cap and glasses, during the daytime.
Two women outdoors near a lake, wearing matching black jackets with white text and a torch logo, laughing and sharing a joyful moment.

Words From Our Tribe

  • The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Woman standing on a rocky mountain trail at sunset, holding an American flag with mountainous landscape and trees in the background.

    "Athena/Cairn/PBA exceeded every expectation. I arrived not knowing what to expect, and it turned out to be one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I hadn’t anticipated the depth of impact it would have on me. It reconnected me with myself and with a community that truly understands. I walked away changed...an impact that will stay with me forever."

    Melissa H.

  • The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - A woman smiling outdoors in warm sunlight, wearing a camo baseball cap, a purple t-shirt with a Halloween witch graphic, and a necklace.

    “I served in the Marine Corps on active duty for 10 years, then transitioned out from my last assignment as a drill instructor at Parris Island. The fear of change and the unknown was overwhelming. After excelling as a Marine, could I make it in the civilian world again? What I couldn’t predict or prepare for was the loss of connection with other like-minded women I felt since getting out. I found what I was missing when I joined a group of female veterans through the Athena Foundation. Being surrounded by like-minded women, sharing difficulties and challenges from my service to current life, and celebrating successes together showed me it was a community I was missing. The military is a family, but we often never consider the mental effects of losing that family when we leave. I not only found my family again under the wide open sky of Montana with Athena, I found unparalleled support, kindness, and a renewed purpose with these women. I’m so grateful to have joined that experience, to support this foundation, and continue to support other women veterans together. ”

    Leanna K.

  • The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - A woman hiking in a mountainous forest area during sunset, with trees, rocky terrain, and distant mountain ranges in the background.

    The Athena Foundation gave me a tribe of women I can run with! We summited a mountain together and are ready for more. We know we were made to lead, encourage, and inspire those around us. We can do it!

    Meg K.

  • The Athena Foundation Retreat 2025 - Woman smiling outdoors, wearing a Boston Red Sox baseball cap and gray hoodie, with trees and sunlight in the background.

    The Athena Foundation has given me back something I didn't even know I was missing. On a whim I decided to apply for the Athena/Cairn/PBA program in September 2025... little did I know that it would turn out to be an incredibly transformative and impactful experience. In a very tangible way it provided to me a connection to women veterans who have now become my tribe. Couple that with the healing power and majestic beauty of Nature in Montana, and the result is a life-changing experience.

    Nancy B.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE.