Holly Smithson
I help people reclaim their personal agency and make their mark in the world.
Learn about me, invite me to speak and join Athena's global movement

Women's Hall of Fame Inductee & Visionary CEO Driving Global Impact
TEDx Speaker Inspiring Change Worldwide
Breast Cancer Conqueror & STEM Women Advocate
Dynamic Speaker Leading Social Movements
As CEO of Athena, Holly leads efforts to advance women in STEM and drive gender equality across global industries. Under her leadership, Athena is emerging as a global movement, dedicated to equipping female leaders and male allies to succeed in science and technology fields. Holly's career spans transformative roles, including leading the launch, merger, and financial turnaround of three companies in cleantech, biotech, and STEM.
Previously, Holly served as a Presidential Appointee in President George W. Bush's administration, advancing critical legislative initiatives at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and State Department. She was also a delegate in California Governor Jerry Brown's Cleantech Trade Mission to China.
Her exceptional leadership has earned widespread recognition. She was inducted into the San Diego Women's Hall of Fame in 2023 and named among San Diego's Top 500 Most Influential Leaders from 2018-2024. Additionally, she's been honored as CEO of the Year and Businesswoman of the Year.

"I practice confidence with a MASSIVE AWARENESS that it’s always a CHOICE. It doesn’t depend on my circumstance as abandoning my confidence gives away my power. Who does that? I did. Not anymore."
Here’s my challenge to every woman: CHOOSE CONFIDENCE. Every single day, make the decision to step into your power and own your path. Confidence isn’t just a feeling—it’s a choice, a deliberate action. It’s what separates staying small from taking the lead.
Don’t wait for permission, don’t wait for the right moment. Choose confidence now and witness how your life elegantly transforms.
It’s why I lead Athena -a woman’s global advocacy organization- that’s re-invigorating women’s careers through the confidence lens. I invite you to join this global movement as a source of the collective confidence as we empower 1 million women leading in STEM, by 2030.
Are you ready to take the leap together….there’s nothing you can’t turn into confidence. I learned that first-hand.


Headlines & Accolades
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