Athena Payne

Athena W. Payne has over 39 years of experience in Finance and Accounting and has served in various positions from a Senior Accountant, Financial Analyst, and Internal Auditor to a CFO. She has worked in various sectors of industry such as consulting, healthcare, non-profits, banking, hotel management, and manufacturing.

Presently, Athena works with Mercy Care Services of Atlanta as the Director of Financial Services. Mercy Care is a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center that provides a full spectrum of healthcare services to the homeless and underserved. Mercy Care has several locations in metropolitan Atlanta and is part of the Trinity Health System.

Previously, Athena served as CFO for the Advantage Behavioral Health Systems which is a Community Services Board serving Athens, Georgia, and multiple North Georgia counties. As well, Athena worked as a Financial and Internal Audit consultant for over ten years with Jefferson Wells and UHY Advisors working for Fortune 500 clients. One of her career highlights included working for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games where she performed Treasury Management Services managing a 32-billion-dollar investment portfolio.

Athena has been affiliated with professional organizations such as the Atlanta Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, the Association of Healthcare Internal Auditors, and the Georgia Society of CPAs.

Service to the community has been a part of Athena’s life for many years.  She has volunteered for a Battered Women’s Shelter and Christmas Gift drives such as Toys for Tots and the Angel Tree Ministry. She also worked with an organization focused on mentoring young girls. 

Athena is a member of the Cross Culture Church in Lithonia, Georgia where she serves on the Board of Directors.  In addition, she has worked in the Music Ministry, Marriage Ministry and Small Group Leadership. She has participated in mission trips and Outreach Ministries locally and abroad.

Athena earned a BBA in Accounting from the University of Georgia and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Georgia.