Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta has touched the lives of many during her tenure as president and CEO of RiverValley Behavioral Health.
On Tuesday afternoon, the impact Figueroa-Peralta has had on the community was recognized, as she was named the 2026 ATHENA Award winner during the annual awards ceremony at the Owensboro Convention Center.
“I’m speechless, and that’s a miracle,” she said upon accepting the award. “Thank you so much. Thank you to Girls Inc. for what you do. You inspire and continue supporting not only girls, but also the women in this community, and you remind us how we got here — and the truth is no one makes it alone. We need to support each other, we need to celebrate each other, and we need have to open opportunities. I thank you for doing that.
“This moment is deeply personal to me, because I carry my mother. She is no longer with us, but her belief in me and opening opportunities that she didn’t have made me do what I do. She accepted no excuses, and she reminded me of the struggles she had and women of her generation and other generations to have a seat by the table.”
The ATHENA Awards, which were held locally for the 28th time, celebrate the outstanding contributions of professional and business women. One finalist in the Owensboro community is chosen annually to receive the award in recognition for excellence in her business or profession, for service to the community in a meaningful way and for assisting women in developing their leadership potential.
Tish Correa-Osborne, chief executive officer of Girls Inc., which presents the awards in association with the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, praised all of the nominees for their contributions in the community.
This year’s eight finalists for the award were selected through a preliminary review process. There were a record-tying 28 nominations.
Figueroa-Peralta said, “I’m humbled by it, because I think every finalist deserved it, and we had the opportunity to know more about them and their impact, and also many other women in the community that are contributing every day. For me, it is an opportunity to continue working hard to develop access for others.”
Figueroa-Peralta said with such a strong field of nominees, she was caught off guard being announced the winner.
“I couldn’t believe it; it took me completely by surprise,” she said. “I cannot describe it, because I respect Girls Inc. so much and what Tish is doing in this community. So to be honored by them adds extra significance, and also the responsibility to keep creating opportunities for girls and for other leaders in the community so they can develop their potential.”
Figueroa-Peralta’s accomplishments are nearly too lengthy to list. Originally from Puerto Rico, she was raised in a family that emphasized the importance of contributing to one’s community. She graduated from college when she was just 18 years old. She then moved to Chicago to complete her post graduate studies. She obtained her master’s in school guidance; a masters of divinity degree; master’s of educational specialist degree; and a doctorate of education. She is also a licensed clinical professional counselor.
Throughout her career, she has held influential leadership roles in public education, social services, youth development and behavioral health; holding positions within the Chicago Public Schools; chief operating officer and behavioral health director of Association House of Chicago; and CEO of ASPIRA of Illinois.
Today, Figueroa-Peralta oversees RiverValley Behavioral Health, a multi-state behavioral healthcare organization operating in Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas. She said she is sharing the award with her staff.
Sue Napper, chairperson for the ATHENA Awards, said Figueroa-Peralta covered all the bases for what Girls’ Inc. seeks in an ATHENA Award winner.
“What didn’t stand out about Wanda; I think just her whole story, from being a young girl in Puerto Rico and being faced with the challenges of gender expectations, then her mother pushing her to be whatever she wants to be,” Napper said. “To think she left her home country, went to Chicago, got additional degrees and her PHD, and just things she has accomplished professionally, which is just so impressive.
“But along the way she’s always made sure that she’s helped others along and helped to open doors, whether it’s staff people or other females she’s mentoring in the community, she’s a tremendous individual. She’s a tremendous honoree.”
Figueroa-Peralta said she embraces being a role model.
“It’s extremely important; no one makes it by themselves,” she said. “We’re inspired by others, and I want to be intentional about it in everything that I do, that I reflect the values that I was taught and that I carry the legacy of my mother and the mentors that I have had along the way, and I become that for others. It is with responsibility that I accept the award, and I think that I can honor the values that are instilled in me.
“Everyone of the girls who spoke here, you could see the talent. Imagine if they didn’t have that lab and the mentoring and the opportunities. We would be at risk of not developing that potential. So it’s not only their loss, but it’s a community loss when that happens. I think we have to continue investing in leadership opportunities, mentoring opportunities, for girls and any other groups that for whatever reason have a hard time having a seat by the table.”
Also receiving recognition during the ceremony was the late Emma Edwards. She received the Legacy Award, which was presented in partnership with the Owensboro chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
Edwards graduated from Western High School in Owensboro and from Kentucky State College. In 1913, she began her teaching career at Pleasant Ridge in Daviess County. The following year, she joined the faculty at Western High School. In 1923, she transferred to Paul Dunbar School, where she became principal in 1934 and faithfully served until her retirement in 1962.
Affectionately known as “Miss Emma,” she was a leader in the Black community and was widely described as a “legend.” She worked with the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and United Way. Prior to her retirement, she was named the “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” by the Owensboro Junior Woman’s Club and later received the 9th Humanitarian Award from the United Way.