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.

Our 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 are our current executive 0fficers and Board of Directors for the 2026 to 2027 league year.

Executive Officers

  • President: Kristen Grisius
  • Executive Vice President: Kara Goodbrand
  • Senior Vice President of Strategy: Brittany Price
  • Treasurer: Katherine Hatley
  • Recording Secretary: Soffia Kuehner Gray

Board of Directors

  • Advocacy Director: Abigail Simmons
  • Board Member-at-Large: Danielle Lachance
  • Board Member-at-Large: Lauren Finnis
  • Development Director: Katlynn Kennedy
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director: Anne Lawrence
  • Executive Vice President – Elect: Kamaria Campbell
  • Nominating Director: Amy Maslar
  • President-Elect: Sarah Kimmer

Special Task Force

  • Development Director-Elect: Victoria Miller
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Director-Elect: Taylor Trovillion Sinclair
  • Nominating Director-Elect: Lekisha Gunn
  • Senior Vice President of Strategy-Elect: Sam Garin
  • Treasurer-Elect:Emily Jacobson

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.

  • Recording Secretary-Elect: Elizabeth West
  • Advocacy Operations Vice President: Kristin Leasia
  • Community Operations Vice President: Madeline Webster
  • Community Operations Vice President: Meg Kiowski
  • Development Operations Vice President – Signature Events: Kendall Knoll
  • Development Operations Vice President – Fund Development: Amelia Castro
  • Digital Communications & Marketing Operations Vice President: Armine Bolin
  • Education and Training Operations Vice President: Katie Landry
  • Education and Training Operations Vice President: Meghan Martin
  • Membership Operations Vice President: Magda Pecyna
  • Membership Operations Vice President: Julie Friem

Community Advisory Board

Our Community Advisory Board is comprised of community leaders across Chicago representing various areas of expertise: health and human services, government, media, business, law and nonprofit management. It 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 of Chicago Youth Programs, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University, Pediatrician at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s 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