Introducing Crystal Selk, finalist for the 2023 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award
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March 1, 2023
For more than 30 years, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership has been honored to produce the ATHENA Awards® to support, develop, and honor women leaders in Western New York.
The BNP is pleased to introduce you to the finalists who have been selected for the 2023 ATHENA honors. This includes the ATHENA Leadership Award®, the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award®, and the ATHENA Organizational Award®, which recognizes one for-profit organization and one non-profit organization that inspire women in WNY.
We're highlighting each finalist in the weeks ahead, leading up to the Awards Luncheon. Come back often to read the profiles and you’ll learn what it means to be an ATHENA!
Celebrate all of our finalists and see the recipients announced LIVE on March 29, 2023 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is pleased to introduce you to 1 of 10 finalists in the ATHENA Leadership Award® category - Young Professional
Meet ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist: Crystal Selk
Crystal Selk is the executive director of West Side Community Services and a nonprofit leader with over 15 years of experience in direct service, fund development, and strategic organizational growth. Founded in 1978, West Side Community Services serves the residents of the Niagara District with education, prevention, and recreation programs and services, operating the only full-service community center in the District.
Prior to joining West Side Community Services, Crystal was director of development for Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology. Before that, she was Development Manager for Jericho Road Community Health Center in Buffalo. Crystal earned a bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo and a Master of Science degree in counseling psychology from Chatham University.
Crystal is a board member and secretary for Buffalo String Works, a non-profit offering youth-centered music education.
We asked Crystal a series of questions to get to know her better.
First Job
Crystal’s first job was as a cashier at Tops Supermarkets.
Career Highlights
Crystal says becoming a first-time executive director during the pandemic is a career highlight so far.
Best Piece of Advice Given Regarding Her Career
Find a way to say yes.
Advice to Give to a Woman Just Starting in the Workplace.
Take your time. We are conditioned by school to accomplish everything we can in an academic year. Your career is the long game.
About Being an Athena Finalist
“It is an honor to be recognized for the work that I do in the community and for the mentorship I can offer to other women.”
On Buffalo Niagara
Three reasons I enjoy Buffalo Niagara: June, July, and August. Sitting at a restaurant patio, being near the water, and attending outdoor events energize me for the rest of the year.
Attend the ATHENA Awards® Luncheon
The ATHENA Awards® Luncheon is the region’s most prestigious event recognizing the professional accomplishments of exceptional individuals who are dedicated to the advancement of women. Be there when the recipients are announced:
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.
REGISTER
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