Our Member Spotlight features women from across the Junior League of Chicago, and we ask them to answer a set of questions to help our members and friends get to know them better. These incredible women volunteer their time – whether as members of leadership or on committees – to help bring our mission to life.

Spotlight on Amy Marchlen | Personnel Vice President

About

What do you do professionally? I am an Associate Vice President of Compensation for Revantage, a Portfolio Company of The Blackstone Group.

What do you do for fun? I love working out, traveling, and checking out the newest bars and restaurants Chicago has to offer!

Experience in the League

How long have you been a member of the Junior League of Chicago? I have been a member of the JLC for eight years, with two years as a sustainer.

What is your role in the JLC? The role of Personnel VP is to act as Human Resources for our JLC staff as well as an HR consultant to broader League membership.

Why you are a JLC member? I initially joined the Junior League of Chicago due to its wonderful reputation for positive work being done in the community, but I have stayed in the League because of the wonderful friendships made during my time as a member and the leadership opportunities given to me.

What’s your favorite memory as part of the JLC? My all-time favorite memory was attending my first Perfect Pairings as an Associate.  Perfect Pairings was still held at the house at that time and it was a fantastic introduction to League membership.

How has the JLC helped you personally? I am most grateful for the friendships made as a League member.  When the pandemic first started, a group of League members would take walks together as a way to remain active and socialize when isolated from the world.  We made it through tough times together and cultivated strong bonds that will last a lifetime.

How has the JLC helped you in your career? The leadership opportunities granted to me by the JLC have directly impacted the way I work, think and lead in my day job.  It has given me experiences that require problem-solving in a safe space that have allowed me to learn and grow.

Spotlight on Desiree Jacobsen| Teen Mentoring

About

What do you do professionally? Senior Consumer Insights Analyst for Adtalem Global Education

What do you do for fun? Other than indoor and beach volleyball, I have recently started skateboarding. It’s been lots of fun!

Experience in the League

How long have you been a member of the Junior League of Chicago? I started in 2009 as a Member of the Junior League of Dallas and transferred to the Junior League of Chicago in 2019.

What is your role in the JLC? Teen Mentoring Committee Member (formally Teen Exodus).

Why you are a JLC member? To give back to my community and meet other women who want to give back as well. I’ve met some wonderful women in Chicago and it’s made this big city feel a lot smaller.

What’s your favorite memory as part of the JLC? One of the first Teen Exodus events when we met the girls and I had the chance to see the impact of the program is one of my favorite memories. When it was my turn to coordinate an event we took the girls to a comedy improv class, which allowed both the girls and the volunteers to show our goofy sides while building character. This previous program and our current program provides a great impact to teen girls in Chicago.

How has the JLC helped you personally? I met my core group of friends in Chicago through the Junior League.

How has the JLC helped you in your career? I have been able to grow professionally through training and development and professional networking as a member of the Junior League throughout the years.

Spotlight on Chelsea Yannello| Fall Fest and Perfect Pairings Committee Chair

About

What do you do professionally? I work in media planning and strategy as a Media Supervisor at an advertising agency.

Fun fact about you outside of JLC: I am the middle child of three.

Experience in the League

How long have you been a member of the Junior League of Chicago? 5 years

What is your role in the JLC? Fall Fest and Perfect Pairings Committee Chair. My committee plans one of Development Council’s signature annual events, Perfect Pairings.  This event allows attendees to enjoy various bites paired with their perfect beverage from both local and national vendors.  The event raises money for one of the JLC’s community projects every year.

Why you are a JLC member: I am member of the JLC because I enjoy being active in the community, giving back and connecting with a variety of individuals.

What’s your favorite memory as part of the JLC? Volunteering multiple years at the Chicago Marathon has been one of my favorite Junior League as well as Chicago events to experience!  The energy and connection that day is wonderful!

How has the JLC helped you personally? The JLC has introduced me to some great friends!

How has the JLC helped you in your career? Volunteering with the JLC has taught me some valuable leadership, organizational and communication skills that have certainly been transferable to my career.

Spotlight on Laurie Duncan| Child Enrichment Committee (CAC Chair)

About

What do you do professionally? I’m an Implementation Consultant for Stripe.

Fun fact about you outside of JLC: I once went cage diving with great white sharks – while pregnant!

Experience in the League

How long have you been a member of the Junior League of Chicago? 7 years

What is your role in the JLC? Child Enrichment brings crafts and fun activities to kids who have experienced abuse, illness, or other hardships.

Why you are a JLC member: I became a member to get more active in my community in a thoughtful and organized way.  I love that committees plan their events to accommodate demanding schedules. 

What’s your favorite memory as part of the JLC? I have so many warm memories of my time at The Women’s Treatment Center, but my favorite has to be March 2020. When all of Chicago was shutting down and our regular opportunities to support the center were over for the foreseeable future, our committee came together to raise funds for indoor activities for the kids. We raised over $1100 which went toward several Amazon Fire tablets, toys, books, puzzles, and even strollers for the kids.

How has the JLC helped you personally? Over the past 7 years, I’ve made some great friends and learned a lot about Chicago from a totally different perspective.

How has the JLC helped you in your career? JLC depends on our members to lead events that are often open ended. You have to work with other volunteers you may not know to put together something great for members of our community. These leadership moments have pushed me to do things that scared me, and I learned that I was capable of rising to the challenge.