Shreveport Chamber announces 2024 ATHENA recipient

November 18, 2024

The Greater Shreveport Chamber honored Dr. Wanda Henderson Thomas as the 2024 ATHENA International Leadership Award Recipient at their 34th Annual Leadership Award Luncheon.

Dr. Wanda Henderson Thomas is a full professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program Director, and Associate Dean for Admissions at LSU Health Shreveport, where she has served for 24 years.

She is an active member of Shreveport Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Red River Chapter Jack and Jill of America, Inc, and Shreveport Chapter of Links, Inc. as well as board member and treasurer for the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, all of which afford her opportunities to positively influence women, children, and members of our greater community.

When she’s not working, Dr. Thomas enjoys spending time with her husband, Dr. Eric Thomas, children, Kennedy, Brady, Gabrielle, and sweet dog, Demi. She attends Zion Missionary Baptist Church.For  more than 30 years, the Greater Shreveport Chamber has awarded the ATHENA International Leadership Award to an individual to honor their attainment of the highest level of professional excellence by showing creativity and initiative in their business or profession; to showcase their devotion, time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community in a meaningful way; and to demonstrate how they have opened doors for other women to achieve their full potential.

In total, over 450 people from Shreveport-Bossier have been ATHENA honorees. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Leadership Award Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.