Athena Dean Holtz is a professional speaker, Christian publisher, bestselling author, podcaster, discernment strategist, and creator of The Redemptive Leadership Framework, bringing more than forty years of experience equipping leaders across ministry, nonprofits, and the marketplace.

Her credibility was not built in comfort—it was forged in fire. After surviving devastating spiritual abuse, deep betrayal, and the complete loss of her company, marriage, relationships, finances, and reputation, Athena watched the God of Romans 8:28 take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it into the foundation of her life’s work. That season of profound suffering refined her resilience, shaped her character, and conformed her more fully to the likeness of Christ. Instead of allowing loss to define her, Athena let God rebuild her—stronger, humbler, more discerning, and fiercely committed to truth and integrity.

From that restoration, Redemption Press was born—a boutique Christian publishing company built on transparency, excellence, and servant leadership. Under Athena’s guidance, her all-female team has been shepherded with courage, compassion, and biblical wisdom, earning Best Christian Workplace recognition three years in a row. Her leadership reflects the fruit of her journey: a culture of emotional safety, spiritual maturity, healthy accountability, and grace-filled resilience.

Athena is the author of multiple books, including No Longer Hidden: You Cannot Resist What You Do Not Recognize and the forthcoming Redemptive Leadership: A Framework for Leading with Clarity, Courage, and Compassion.

Today, she speaks nationwide at conferences, churches, universities, corporate trainings, and retreats—empowering audiences to lead with discernment, cultivate peace in pressured environments, build healthy teams, and influence others with a Christ-centered, redemptive presence.

Her message is simple and hard-won: God wastes nothing. Every wound surrendered becomes a place of wisdom, every valley becomes a classroom, and every surrendered leader becomes a vessel of courageous, compassionate, culture-shaping impact.