Her Story
About Athena
Athena Montiel is the Director of Workforce Development for the Health Consortium and Center Director for the Inland Empire Area Health Education Center in San Bernardino, California. In this dual role within nonprofit healthcare, she oversees programs including the AHECS Scholars certificate program for health professions students and the Future Docs initiative, which provides mentorship and support for medical school applicants. Her center has been recognized as one of the best performing in California and the only one in the state selected to host the Future Docs program among 13 nationally. Montiel earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Public Health from CSU San Bernardino and is completing a certificate in nonprofit leadership at the University of San Diego. She serves on advisory boards for Azusa Pacific University's Masters in Public Health, the UCR School of Medicine Community Board, and Cal State San Bernardino's Public Health Department, including its bachelor's, master's, and health equity programs. Montiel attributes her success to the influence of her immigrant parents and her own self-discipline and determination to seize opportunities and improve continuously. She values transparency, integrity, and compassion in her work, and advises young women entering the field to take advantage of opportunities, build networks without burning bridges, and delegate effectively as leaders.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Athena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say it's probably two things. I'm the child of immigrant parents who always push me to do my best and take advantage of every opportunity that I can. But also it's my hunger that I have to always strive for more and improve myself. I'm very self-disciplined and determined.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My current CEO Jill Dolingo reminded me when I started as director that it's okay to lean on my coordinators for help. I'm very much about trying to do things on my own, but that helped me as a leader to delegate tasks and know what I can do to help myself but also help them.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say take advantage of any opportunities that come across because you never know what those opportunities can lead to. In this type of world, it's really who you know too. Just make sure you're not burning bridges.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In my role and in the sector that I'm in, the usual challenge is funding. Especially here in the Inland Empire, a lot of times we're very much overlooked. They end up funding other local counties like San Diego, LA, or the Bay Area, and we're very much kind of like the stepchild. But we're such a diverse and vast region where we need to hear the most too. There's such a shortage of hospitals and professionals here.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say transparency, integrity, and compassion. Especially in this sector you have to be very compassionate.
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