Kay Ruhstaller Announced as Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient

On Wednesday, September 3, 2025 members of the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Past ATHENA’s, Family Resource Center staff, and family surprised Kay Ruhstaller with the news she had been chosen as the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient. The annual ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of accomplishment, excel in their chosen business or profession, have demonstrated support for the advancement of business and professional women, have devoted time and energy to their community, and have actively mentored others.

The ATHENA Award will be presented at the annual ATHENA Awards Luncheon on November 20, 2025, at 11:00am, location TBA. Tickets and Sponsorships for this high-profile event are available through the Stockton Chamber of Commerce website on the Athena Awards webpage.

Kay Ruhstaller has spent more than three decades transforming San Joaquin County through visionary leadership, fearless advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and families. As Chief Executive Officer of the Family Resource Center (FRC), Kay leads San Joaquin County’s largest nonprofit organization, now operating with an annual budget exceeding $100 million and impacting over 8,000 children annually. Her strategic vision has positioned FRC as a systems-level leader in child and family services, known not only for its scope but for its innovation, collaboration, and equity-driven approach.

Throughout her career, Kay has been defined by deeply rooted values—believing that children and families are the foundation of a healthy community and that diversity is San Joaquin County’s greatest strength. She has brought these values to life through bold action, whether leading advocacy against proposed cuts to SNAP and Medicare, building cross-sector coalitions to expand access to early education, or championing youth voice and leadership through public-private partnerships like the Teen IMPACT Center. Kay co-founded the San Joaquin Children’s Alliance, uniting nonprofit and civic leaders to align child-focused investments and successfully secure more than $5 million in mental health funding for families after the pandemic. She also led the creative and successful campaign to redirect local cannabis tax revenues toward youth development—an innovative model of sustainable funding that continues to benefit thousands.

Kay is widely recognized for her ability to turn insight into action. She played a key role in the development of 211 San Joaquin, a centralized helpline that now supports over 500,000 residents annually with referrals to housing, food, mental health, and emergency services. In 2024, she led the integration of a Community Resource Navigator into the Family Justice Center, strengthening trauma-informed services for survivors of violence and deepening partnerships across county lines. As a Registered Dietitian, she has overseen the delivery of more than 4 million healthy meals to children and over $6 million in reimbursements to childcare providers annually. She also guided FRC’s Joan Richards Learning Village to a Tier 5 quality rating, the highest standard in California for early childhood education.

Kay's influence extends far beyond her organization. She has served on the First 5 San Joaquin Commission for more than a decade and currently serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the California Early Childhood Policy Council, advising the Legislature and Governor on issues affecting young children and their families. Her leadership helped shape the San Joaquin CEO Leadership Circle and North Valley Thrive, two powerful collaborations focused on economic mobility and family well-being. In 2023, Kay served as the 13th female President of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, where she elevated childcare as a workforce issue and brought a family-centered lens to a traditionally business-first environment, building bridges between public needs and private-sector influence.

At the heart of Kay’s leadership is her unwavering commitment to lifting others—particularly women. She is known for mentoring emerging leaders with humility, authenticity, and encouragement. Many credit Kay as the reason they found their voice, advanced in their careers, or stepped into executive roles. She intentionally cultivates diverse leadership and provides space for women, especially women of color, to lead with purpose and confidence. Her influence has been described as transformative—not because she seeks the spotlight, but because she leads by example, with compassion, clarity, and conviction.

Kay's courage as a leader is matched by her civic commitment. After George Floyd’s murder, she authored a bold “Call to Action” recognizing her role as a white leader and urging collective work to dismantle systemic racism. She organized voter registration drives and continues to champion civic engagement as a tool for equity and justice. Her community work spans organizations such as the League of Women Voters, Shriner’s Hospital, the Children’s Museum of Stockton, and countless collaborative initiatives. Her events, such as the “Because Kids Awards,” celebrate unsung heroes, and her participation in Children & Youth Day—once donning a Princess Elsa costume—reminds families and colleagues alike that leadership is also about joy and connection.

The praise for Kay Ruhstaller is both abundant and heartfelt. Sara Garfield, a longtime colleague, reflects on Kay’s lifelong integrity and service dating back to her high school and college leadership roles. Lindy Turner-Hardin, a fellow advocate, shares, “Kay was the voice of reason in every room—grounded, courageous, and unshakably focused on what mattered most: the well-being of children and families.” Christina Gilbert, a mentee and colleague, describes Kay as “the most influential mentor in my career—combining strategic insight, compassion, and remarkable generosity.” Rebecca Ray praises Kay’s steady presence during times of change, saying, “Kay has inspired so many of us to do the hard work of social impact because of her deep, unshakable belief in what is possible.” And Gillian Murphy, President of FRC’s Board of Directors, concludes, “Kay is a leader of leaders. Her strength, planning, and calm presence have guided our organization through difficult times and lasting transformation.”

Kay Ruhstaller embodies the spirit and purpose of the ATHENA Award, fiercely intelligent, profoundly humble, courageously outspoken, and deeply invested in the future of her community. Her legacy is not only reflected in the programs she has built or the policies she has shaped, but in the lives of the people she has mentored, the systems she has improved, and the hope she has nurtured. Her story is a testament to what’s possible when values-driven leadership meets tireless dedication, and she stands as a beacon of inspiration for women and leaders across all sectors.

Understanding the ATHENA Awards

ATHENA International partners with hundreds of chambers of commerce, colleges & universities, corporations, women’s organizations and affiliate communities in 48 states and 11 countries. Over 8,000 leaders have been recognized with the ATHENA Leadership award in over 500 regions worldwide. The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is home to one of the longest running ATHENA programs in the nation, with the first Stockton ATHENA Award being presented in 1986. The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award (Under 40) was introduced locally in November 2010. The ATHENA Youth Leadership Award (Under 18) was introduced nationally and locally in 2024 with the Stockton Chamber giving out the first ever ATHENA Youth Award in the nation.

ATHENA International is a catalyst for developing diverse, transformative leaders who create a balance in leadership voices worldwide. We ignite, amplify and celebrate girls, women and allies through experiential programs that empower them to discover and activate the transformative leader within.

Selection Criteria

To be eligible for an ATHENA Award, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrates The Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ in all aspects of their life.
• Demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession.
• Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community.
• Actively assists women in achieving their full leadership potential.