CSA’s Associate Director Nicole Fargo Nosich (pictured with CSA colleagues) and attorney/civic leader Laura Blakely, were honored as Athena Award winners earlier this month by the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce. The Athena Award is an international honor given for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.
Nicole, who won the Athena Young Professional Award, was nominated by her co-workers, for being an inspirational role model. Says Case Manager Janice Bonello, “Nicole helps other women feel empowered and strong enough to speak their minds and to take the lead.” Food and Nutrition Center Director Christine Flego adds, “Nicole leads by example, approaching every situation with fresh thoughts and ideas, looking for new solutions to client challenges, program growth and the well-being of all staff.”
As Associate Director, Nicole oversees all programs and services offered at CSA, directly supervising three program directors and two program coordinators. Under her leadership, the agency’s data collection and management tools have been greatly upgraded, allowing the agency to get a better handle on client needs, program effectiveness and evolving community challenges. Nicole has also worked on developing agency-wide safety protocols for both clients and staff and helped to found CSA’s Health and Wellness Committee to bring more mindfulness within the workplace to better support CSA employees.
Accepting her award at the November 21st luncheon, Nicole reflected on the many women who have inspired her, including a family friend who modeled compassion and patience, her sister who keeps perspective in the face of health challenges, and her grandmothers and mother who taught her the importance of self-reliance and resilience. “I know that I can’t fix everything,” says Nicole, “but I want to continue to be part of making positive change. Being a part of a wonderful and dedicated team with similar goals for this community keeps me driven to continue this work.”
Congratulations, Nicole!!! You are certainly an amazing advocate for those in need in our community, and I am so glad you are recognized with this wonderful award. Thanks for all you do.