Lynn Potyen to Keynote 2025 ATHENA Awards Dinner in Sheboygan

ByBrian Bateman
Lynn Potyen to Keynote 2025 ATHENA Awards Dinner in Sheboygan
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Sheboygan’s own Lynn Potyen, owner of The GameBoard, will headline the 2025 ATHENA Awards Dinner as keynote speaker on Thursday, November 13, at The Berkshire, 821 N. 8th Street in downtown Sheboygan.

Hosted by the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce, the ATHENA Awards recognize individuals and organizations that embody leadership, community service, and the empowerment of women. This year’s celebration will honor nominees in three categories: ATHENA Young Professional Leadership, ATHENA Organizational Leadership, and ATHENA Leadership Awards.

Potyen, who received the 2025 Women of Influence Business Owner Award from Insight on Business magazine, has long championed education, creativity, and connection through the power of play. Her keynote will focus on how empathy, imagination, and authenticity in leadership can build stronger communities and inspire future generations.

“The ATHENA Awards remind us that leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about lifting others and creating spaces where everyone can shine,” Potyen said. “I’m deeply honored to share this evening with so many incredible leaders who embody strength, wisdom, and heart.”

The evening begins with registration and cocktails at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m., Potyen’s keynote at 6:45 p.m., and the awards presentation at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are available through the Sheboygan County Chamber, with advance registration required by November 3, 2025.

Deidre Martinez, CEO of the Chamber, said, “When my team suggested Lynn for this important role, I knew she would be perfect as our keynote speaker. After nearly 20 years in business, she knows what it takes for a woman to succeed. I’m looking forward to hearing what she will share with the next generation of women leaders in our community.”

Founded in 2006, The GameBoard has become a Sheboygan institution. Potyen turned her family’s experience with her son’s speech therapy into a lifelong mission to promote learning, communication, and connection through games. Her work has been recognized nationally, with her story archived in the Library of Congress and featured in the 2023 anthology What Board Games Mean to Me.

Learn more about The GameBoard or book Lynn Potyen for a speaking engagement at the-gameboard.com.

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Sheboygan Life Publisher

Brian Bateman is a lifelong Sheboygan County resident, web developer, and founder of SheboyganLife.com. Inspired by his love for the area and a desire to give back, he created this free, community-driven platform to share local events, stories, and happenings.

A graduate of Plymouth and Sheboygan South High Schools and the UW Center in Sheboygan, Brian has spent his career building digital solutions across Wisconsin for clients around the world.

From local event coverage to boosting small businesses, Brian’s mission is simple: spotlight what makes Sheboygan special, support the locals behind it, and keep the community connected, informed, and on the grow.

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