SPRING IN FULL BLOOM FOR JLC’S 104TH ANNUAL MEETING

BY KATIE ZIEGLER, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

The Junior League of Cincinnati’s 104th Annual Meeting took place at the Columbia Center on Tuesday, May 7th The Membership Engagement Committee, chaired by Sam Markle and Dani Rodriguez, planned a wonderful event with a garden party theme. The tables were adorned with gorgeous floral centerpieces donated by Gia and the Blooms, tasty bites were provided by The Delish Dish, and delicious drinks were mixed by two fabulous women from Bars on Wheels Poppin’ BalloonArt provided a beautiful balloon arch backdrop for many perfect photo opportunities captured by JLC past president and Sustainer, photographer Lisa Hubbard.

The event commenced with a heartfelt address from League President René Robers, extending gratitude to this year's League sponsors and reflecting on the noteworthy achievements of the 2023-2024 term, aptly described by René as a "banner year" for the League, including the launch of a new strategic plan, a diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging plan, a new Code of Conduct, two successful fundraisers exceeding revenue goals, including the a new concept, A Night in Monte Carlo; support for meeting members where they are with Little Leaguers Loft and newborn packages, and updates to the mother’s room; a pilot for annual sponsorships, additional focus on Columbia Center rentals, both delivering over the budgeted goals, and many more memories and milestones met.

The evening unfolded with the acknowledgment of new Sustaining members, the induction of New Members becoming Active members, and the commemoration of Member Service Milestones, culminating in the eagerly anticipated annual awards ceremony.

Each year the Junior League of Cincinnati bestows seven major awards to members and organizations that uphold the ideals and values of the JLC We would like to congratulate this year’s award winners:

Jeanne Boyce Morrison President Award: Katie Ziegler
Cookie Nowland Sustainer Award: J J Wales
Excellence in Training Award: Katie Arendt
Transformational Team Award: Marketing Committee (Led by Chair, Taylor DeWald, and Vice Chair Jennifer Pike
Members: Stephanie Zuidema, Emily Meek, Madeline Ottilie, Sheila Antall)
Shanon Marks New Member Award: Jennifer White
Rising Star Award: Endia Crabtree & Laura Damurjian
Community Impact Award: Jane Herms, President/CEO, Family Nurturing Center

Our community partner, Jane Herms, President and CEO of Family Nurturing Center, elaborated on the profound impact the JLC has had on the organization over the past three years of our partnership The Junior League of Cincinnati is proud of our shared success and is excited to continue to support them for many years to come.

The night included a sweet farewell by our outgoing President, René Robers, and Executive Vice President, Erinn R M Carlson We also welcomed our incoming President, Kelly Barber, and Executive Vice President, Emily Haun, with custom presidential jewelry crafted and donated by Krombholz Jewelers.

Kelly Barber, incoming President for the 2024-2025 League year, shared her perspective on why she said yes to the role and why she is doing something that scares her, ending with the conclusion, “because fear is often a synonym of growth and change ” Her inspiring words set the tone for the upcoming year, rallying members to become "Agents of Change" as they embark on planning for 2024-2025.

Leslie Touassi, Chair of Program Development, enthusiastically introduced and welcomed our incoming community partner, HER Cincinnati We were joined by President and CEO, Beth Schwartz, Managing Director of the Scholar House Program, Rainie Moody, Managing Director of Community Relations, Jenny Jones, and a current resident at HER Cincinnati’s Scholar House, Genesis McPherson Following a speech by Beth Schwartz, Genesis shared about the products she brought for all attendees from her entrepreneurial venture supported by HER, McPherson Cosme will be one of the many women who will parti and benefit from our new partnership proje Collective, a women’s small business coleverages shared operations, marketing, an outreach tools & resources

We would also like to recognize the following le

Outgoing 2023-2024 Board and EMT members

Danielle Deja, Presidential Advisor
Molly Roberts, Board Secretary
Katie May, Strategic Planning Director
Megan Stacey, Board Member at Large
Byrd Bergeron, Nominating Chair
Erinn R M Carlson, Executive Vice Presiden
Katie Ziegler, VP of Communications
Emily Reinhold, VP of Finance
Casey Burleigh, VP of Membership
Marty Humes, VP of Sustainer Council
Deanna Hillard, DEI&B Chair
Jenny Mauch, DEI&B Vice Chair

Incoming 2024-2025 Board and EMT:

Katie Dulle, President-Elect
Sam Zehnder, Board Secretary
Erica Bock, Strategic Planning Director
Meg Anacker, Nominating Chair
Endia Crabtree, DEI&B Chair
Tara Mosley, Board Member at Large
Emily Haun, Executive Vice President
Mary Taliaferro, Executive Vice President-Elect
Elizabeth Desrosiers, VP of Communications
Lauren Krebs, VP of Finance
Christina Yardley, VP of Fund Development
Katie Arendt, VP of Membership
Emily Headley, VP of Sustainer Council
Erika Lundstedt, Nominating Vice Chair

Thank you to all of these incredible women for their years of service in these outgoing positions, as well as our leaders coming into new positions! We look forward to watching you succeed in your roles A full list of leadership positions for the 2024-2025 League year can be found on our member homepage under Leadership List The Annual Meeting was full of celebration, recognition, and excitement for the next year to come.