Leadership

The Junior League of Chicago is governed by our Board of Directors and Executive Officers, all of whom are volunteer members of the League.

The Junior League of Chicago’s Board of Directors derives its authority from and is accountable to the League membership. The Board of Directors acts in the best interest of the League through the exercise of the duties of Care, Loyalty, and Obedience, with a sound understanding of legal & fiduciary responsibilities.

Board members lead by example through contributions to the JLC’s Annual Fund, other JLC funds, participate in community initiatives, and attend JLC development events in order to encourage League-wide participation. As the League’s governing board, they ensure adherence to the mission, vision, and set the strategic plan.

Below is a list of our current Executive Officers and Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 League year:

Executive Officers of the Junior League of Chicago

  • President: Sarah McCarron Burns
  • Executive Vice President: Rebekah Bueschel
  • Senior Vice President of Strategy: Kamaria Campbell
  • Treasurer: Emily Andruska
  • Recording Secretary: Addy Schubert

Junior League of Chicago Board of Directors

  • Advocacy Director: Lauren Finnis
  • Board Member-at-Large: Cara Stern
  • Board Member-at-Large: Danielle Lachance
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director: Sarah Zhao
  • Executive Vice President – Elect: Kara Goodbrand
  • Fundraising Director: Samantha Garin
  • Nominating Director: Amanda Decker
  • President-Elect: Kristen Grisius

Our Management Committee

Management Committee members lead by example through contributions to the Junior League’s Annual Fund, other JLC funds, participation in community initiatives, and attendance at JLC events in order to encourage League-wide participation.

  • Advocacy Director-Elect: Abigail Simmons
  • Community Vice President: Chelsea Brennan
  • Community Vice President: Madeline Webster
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Director-Elect: Anne Lawrence
  • Education and Training Vice President: Katie Landry
  • Education and Training Vice President: Mary Pat Rooney
  • Fundraising Director-Elect, Katlynn Kennedy
  • Membership Vice President: Armine Bolin
  • Membership Vice President: Anna Knuth
  • Nominating Director-Elect: Amy Maslar
  • Recording Secretary-Elect: Soffia Kuehner Gray
  • Senior Vice President of Strategy-Elect: Brittany Price
  • Treasurer-Elect: Katherine Hatley

Community Advisory Board

Our Community Advisory Board (CAB) is comprised of community leaders across Chicago representing various areas of expertise: health and human services, government, media, business, law and non-profit management. The CAB provides strategic guidance in assessing community needs and helps communicate our purpose and programs to the community at large.
  • Commissioner Chris Brown, Chicago Public Library
  • Dr. Joe DiCara, Co-Founder, Chicago Youth Programs Assistant Professor and Pediatrician, Northwestern University Hospital
  • Eva Giglio, Executive Director, CME Foundation
  • Marilyn Hanzal, Director, Gold Coast Neighbors Association
  • Laura Johnston, Co-Founder and Owner, Twin Persimmon
  • Alderman Timmy Knudsen, Chicago City Council, 43rd Ward
  • Paula McGuire-Rowe, Associate Director of Community Partnership, Elevate
  • Ellen Rosenfeld, Chicago Board of Education Representative-Elected, District 4B
  • Brian Sykes, Employment Specialist, Chicago Urban League