"Make it Monday" forum - ATHENA Society: Honoring the Women Who Contribute to our Economy and Community

Learn the history of Alaska's ATHENA Society and the importance of supporting women in business and young women on the road to becoming entrepreneurs and business leaders. Get the intel on this year's March 18th luncheon and how you can nominate a mentor, peer or partner!

Panelists:

• Deborah Bonito, President and CEO The Sourdough Mercantile, Inc. and The Kobuk
• Laile Fairbairn, Co-Owner and Restaurateur, Locally Grown Restaurants
• Mary Knopf, Retired Principal of Interior Design, ECI/Hyer, Inc.
• Kate Slyker, Chief Marketing Officer, GCI

ATHENA Class of 2024 nominations are now open! PRESS RELEASE

PLUS, a short presentation on the upcoming Trend Fashion Show!
 

Deborah Bonito is the President of two retail gift operations in Anchorage.  Since 1992, she has been the majority shareholder of The Sourdough Mercantile, Inc, which operates a consortium of 4 shop spaces at the Ted Stevens International Airport, including AK&CO Gourmet Market, The Sourdough Mercantile, Moosetique and Mosquito Books.  Deborah co-owns The Kobuk Coffee Company Corporation (Anchorage’s beloved gift emporium and historic landmark on Town Square Park) with her sister, Nina Bonito Romine.

Brought to Alaska via her father’s military service in 1976, Deborah graduated from Bartlett High School and Claremont McKenna College.  She lives in east Anchorage with her husband Mark, and there son Jacob is a college Senior.  Deborah has served on various boards over the years, including Camp Fire, STAR, Anchorage Convention and Visitor Bureau, Friends of the Alaska Children’s Trust and the National Reading is Fundamental Gala Committee.  She currently serves as Chair of the board of NeighborWorks Alaska.
 

Laile Fairbairn is a West High grad who came back to Anchorage in 1995 after ten years out of state for college and work in advertising. Upon her return, she opened up Snow City Cafe which celebrates their 25th anniversary this year. The cafe has held the title of Best Breakfast by Anchorage locals every year since 2003. Since then she has founded two other popular restaurants – Spenard Roadhouse, South Restaurant + Coffeehouse, and is the managing partner for Crush Bistro, and also for the restaurants’ administrative services business, Locally Grown Restaurants. These companies employ more than 300 people.

Laile was recently named a James Beard semi-finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur. She has also received the ATHENA Society Leadership Award, the UAA Culinary Arts Celebrity Chef Invitational Award for Extraordinary Commitment; Association of Fundraising Professionals Alaska Outstanding Business in Philanthropy; Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Excellence Gold Pan Award; Visit Anchorage’s All Alaskan Award; and, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Top 40 Under 40.

She is currently a board member of Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, Anchorage Downtown Partnership, and UAA Culinary School Advisory Board.
 

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