Liza Borches fully expected someone with more experience in work and public service to receive the internationally sanctioned Athena Award for working women.
Her friends don’t see how that would be possible.
The Athena Award is an international honor given to women who “demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative” in their profession, provide valuable services of time and energy to the community and help women “realize their full leadership potential.”
It was presented to Borches Thursday at Quadruplicity, a daylong series of seminars and programs sponsored by the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Women’s Roundtable.
Borches is the president, general manager and owner of Volvo of Charlottesville and owner of Valley Honda, Valley Volkswagen and Valley RV in Staunton. She is the head of dealership operations Carter Myers Automotive, which includes seven car dealerships in Central Virginia.
“I’m proud to receive it but I’m extremely humbled by this,” Borches said after the announcement as she was congratulated by friends. “I feel like this should go to a much more accomplished woman further along in her career path, who has done more in the community. I’m so shocked.”
“Liza is extremely successful in her business and is committed to her community,” said friend Cathy Train, who nominated Borches for the award. Train, president of the United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area, won the award last year. “I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition than Liza.”
Borches, 36, won both the Athena award, and an award as one of the region’s top four women under the age of 40.
The “4 Under 40” honor, sponsored by The Daily Progress’ Charlottesville Woman magazine, honors young professionals who have made innovative strides in their professions and are making a positive impact on the Charlottesville community as a whole.
Winners for the inaugural year of the award included cable television personality and producer and National College executive Andrea Copeland, Sasha Farmer, of Montague, Miller and Co. real estate, Audrey Storm, director of construction services for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville and Borches, who has received coveted honors for professional excellence from both Volvo and the Swedish manufacturer’s former parent, Ford Motor Company.
Borches also serves on the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association board of directors, the local Boys and Girls Club board, volunteers for Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic, the Girl Scouts of America, University of Virginia Medical Center and the United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area, among others.
She is married and has two children.
“The chamber Athena Award could not be passed to a more deserving, creative professional than Liza Borches,” said Rena Wray, Quadruplicity chairwoman. “Liza’s work to improve the quality of life of others and assist with the economic growth in greater Charlottesville community, is just one of the many examples of her consistent efforts to boost local business and community overall.”
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