HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-09 Athena Awards, Natalie Geise
NATALIE GEISE
Athena Emerging Professional Award 2025
WHEREAS, Natalie Geise is being honored with the 2025 Athena Emerging Professional Leadership Award,
which recognizes exceptional women leaders who demonstrate the highest levels of professional excellence, give back
to their communities, and most importantly, assist other women in realizing their full leadership potential. The Palo
Alto Chamber of Commerce annually bestows the award to change-makers and trailblazers who open doors of
leadership for women in communities across the globe; and
WHEREAS, Natalie has demonstrated a strong dedication and passion for chemistry and climate activism. She
started her career studying Chemistry, with minors in Physics and Spanish, at West Virginia University. She continued
on to earn her PhD in Physical Chemistry at Stanford University. During her time at Stanford, she also completed the
Executive Education Certificate Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship through the Stanford University Graduate
School of Business; and
WHEREAS, throughout her career, Natalie has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications in
chemistry, demonstrating a range of expertise in the field. Currently, Natalie works as a Senior Associate at the SLAC
National Accelerator Laboratory, advancing their science and technology strategic initiatives; and
WHEREAS, she is currently the Vice Chair of Palo Alto Forward’s Board of Directors, a local nonprofit that aims
to create a more inclusive, affordable, and environmentally sustainable community by collaborating to advance housing
and transportation initiatives. Natalie is also a Director at ClimateRaise, supporting early-stage climate startups led by
women and non-binary founders, and volunteers with the League of Women Voters and the Palo Alto Repair Café.
NOW, THEREFORE I, Ed Lauing, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, do hereby commend Natalie for her dedication
to professional excellence, leadership, and community empowerment, and congratulate her as a 2025 Athena Award
Honoree.
Presented: October 9, 2025
______________________________
Ed Lauing
Mayor
Proclamation