Gloria Athanis

Gloria Athanis manages and co-owns a boutique fitness studio in Chicago's River North neighborhood that features 20 PowerPlate whole body vibration machines, where the primary investor is the global company PowerPlate. She has spent seven going on eight years in the fitness, health, and wellness field after previously owning a plant-based food company that she sold during the COVID pandemic. Athanis serves as a group fitness instructor and yoga instructor certified in yoga nidra, and she holds an ACE certification, a plant-based certification from Cornell University, and a certification in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University. She completed her undergraduate studies at Marymount College in Tarrytown, now part of Fordham University, with majors in economics and business. Athanis attributes much of her professional success to her skills as a networker and remains committed to mentoring young women through her work with the Female Strong nonprofit, including speaking engagements with their young entrepreneur group. She advises others entering the industry to stay true to their passion, continue learning, start small without taking on too many investors, and remain ready to pivot when circumstances require it.