Summer 2025 Contents
LAGNIAPPE STAFF
Editor: Megan Kurtz
Assistant Editors: Katie Odell and Erica Jackson
Writers: Carol O’Connor, Reynecia Ricks
Photographers: Delana Lynn Photography
PUBLISHER
STAFF
Art Director
Ali Sullivan
Production Manager: Rosa Balaguer
Production Designers: Ashley Pemberton and Czarlyn Ria Trinidad
Chief Executive Officer: Todd Matherne
JLNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Tara Waldron
President-Elect: Michelle Clarke Payne
Secretary: Melissa Nunn
Treasurer: Paige Farrell
Assistant Treasurer: Genevieve Moff at
Business Council Director: Shelby Wynne
Communications Council Director: Carol O’Connor
Community Council Director: Catherine Rigby
Membership Council Director: Tabitha Mangano
Planning & Development Council Director: LeeAnn Moss
Ways & Means Council Director: Christine Rigamer
Nominating Committee Chair: Erica Washington
Sustaining Advisor to the Board: Brandy Whisnant
President's Message
What an honor and privilege to have served as the President of the Junior League of New Orleans for the 2024-2025 League year! I have never been more challenged or more rewarded Thank you to each and every member, partner, nonprofit organization , volunteer and donor for making our programs and initiatives possible I am so excited to see the wonderful ideas of the 2025-2026 board come to fruition over the next year as we delve into our second century of service to the Greater New Orleans area and live out our mission of advancing women’s leadership through volunteer action , collaboration and training
Tara Waldron
JLNO President , 2024-2025
Photo by Delana Lynn Photography
Photo by: Delana Lynn Photography
Teaching Kids to be Safe at Home JLNO's Award-Winning Safe Sitter® Program
Offers Summer 2025 Classes
Is your child ready to learn life - saving skills to be safe when home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting? This July and August, the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) will offer summer classes for its Safe Sitter® program These comprehensive one - day courses teach kids in grades 6 to 8 life - saving skills, such as how to rescue someone who is choking , safety precautions, tips on basic child care and introductory employment skills
The medically accurate and developmentally appropriate lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises Participants engage in hands-on simulations with CPR/choking rescue mannequins, providing students with valuable experience in managing real-life situations The course also teaches basic
business skills for budding entrepreneurs At the end of the training, Safe Sitter® participants receive a certificate of completion recognizing their new skills
DarLisa Riche, 2024-2025 Safe Sitter® Chair, shared how the program impacts children, “Safe Sitter® is an outstanding program that every preteen or young teen should experience Students gain confidence as they learn to handle real - life situations and leave the class empowered to put their new knowledge into practice ”
One-day sessions are available at JLNO Headquarters (4319 Carondelet St.) on: July 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 and August 2-3, 9. Questions can be directed to training@jlno org Register your child today at jlno org/safe-sitter
Experience Women’s Impact
The Junior League of New Orleans Hosts Fifth Annual Women’s Leadership Summit
Music guided attendees down the hallway of the InterContinental Hotel as the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) kicked off its fifth annual Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) on Friday, March 14, with the Krewe of Dolly and 150 attendees Katie Morse LeBreton opened the day by giving a humorous yet factual presentation on presence and the role of social media in our lives , which made attendees think more intentionally about how and when they use technology
Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to choose between breakout sessions , each of which provided a choice of programming centered around community, personal or professional development Some chose to hear from women in STEM , executive leadership, or public health , while others learned how to build financial power and professional candor Glass Half Full co - founder Franziska Trautmann even broke exciting news about the nonprofit opening a brand new regional facility.
Paige Farrell , JLNO Treasurer, raved about her favorite JLNO event , “The energy at WLS is electric and inspiring There is something so empowering about being at an event full of women who are there to learn from each other and lift each other up."
Keynote luncheon speaker Margaret Orr offered insights into her incredible
career and shared her experiences since retirement, reminding those present to appreciate all of the little moments life affords along the way The day closed with a panel on women’s health by the Presenting Sponsor, Ochsner Baptist
Returning attendee Valerie Menowsky encapsulated why the Summit resonates with her and so many other attendees, “It is only women. Women speakers Topics of interest just for women It is only women sharing successes, failures, encouragement and energy And that's just the beginning ”
Junior League of New Orleans 2025-2026 Board of Directors
Presenting our Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 League Year
Shelby Wynne President-Elect
Phoebe Hathorn Secretary
Genevieve Mo at Treasurer
Margaret Saik Assistant Treasurer
Michelle Clarke Payne President
Alexa Sturtz Business Council Director
Hope Clay Nominating Chair
Lynn Spearman Communications Council Director
Krystal Hebert Planning & Development Council Director
Emily Vorho Community Council Director
Lovie Rodgers Ways & Means Council Director
Savanna VanAusdale Membership Council Director
Kristin Van Hook Moore Sustaining Advisor to the Board
Junior League of New Orleans Awards 10th Annual Woman Entrepreneur Fellowship Award to Laura Fenner of Chateau Sew & Sew
The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) Headquarters was abuzz with excitement on Thursday, April 10, as JLNO held its 10 th annual Woman Entrepreneur (WE) Fellowship pitch competition Since January 2016, the WE Fellowship has supported women entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses through mentoring , in - kind services and funding The WE Fellowship pitch competition is the culmination of a multi - step selection process that prepares women business owners to pitch their businesses in front of a live audience, competing for the coveted yearlong Fellowship
WE Fellowship Committee Chair, Amy Flower, shared that the committee found it especially challenging to narrow down the field this year, ultimately selecting the following six finalists:
• Ashley LeJeune, AEDO + TERRA
• DeShaunya Ware, ASE Learning Academy
• Diana Davis, Brown Ribbon Exchange
• Laura Fenner, Chateau Sew & Sew
• Stephanie Dupuy, Jardine du Dupuy
• Kelley Wolfe, ReJu Juice
Prior to the pitches, the 2024 WE Fellowship winner, Kaitlin Guerin of Lagniappe Bakehouse, provided attendees with fresh - baked delicacies as she updated the audience on the success of her business, sharing her recent designation as a James Beard Award Finalist in the Emerging Chef category
While the finalists may be competitors, the support shown among the women was more than palpable When the first finalist returned to the green room after her pitch, the crowd was treated to the best possible hot mic moment - an eruption of cheers and encouragement from the waiting contestants The 10- minute pitch represented not only months of preparation, but often years of building a business Who could better understand the significance of that moment than fellow women entrepreneurs?
As the judges deliberated, the audience voted on the “Audience Favorite,” which went to DeShaunya Ware of ASE Learning Academy, a 4- star early
learning center that provides 24- hour care Ware won over the audience with plans to enhance her current centers by offering community events and parent workshops
Katie Morse LeBreton, VP & Director of P O W E R Fidelity Bank, presented the winner of the 2025 WE Fellowship - Laura Fenner of Chateau Sew & Sew Chateau Sew & Sew is a fabric retail store located on St Charles Avenue that offers events, classes and private lessons for a wide range of skills and experience levels Laura painted a narrative of the intergenerational gap between the skill of sewing, while highlighting her dedication to ensuring that “everyone is able to learn to sew ” When Laura presented her current business model, she also shared hopes of increasing marketing and staffing to meet the booming interest of tourists and locals alike in learning this age-old skill “[I] want people to have a creative outlet when they need it,” Laura explained Laura learned about the WE Fellowship opportunity from a sewing student “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and amazed at how everything aligned perfectly ” Laura shared that she is most excited about the marketing support and networking opportunities moving forward She added, “Sewing is not only fun, but it is also practical New Orleans needs more than just a glue gun to continue the traditions we are known for.” Laura and Chateau Sew & Sew join the ranks of past WE Fellowship winners Greek Girls Rice Pudding (2018), Cocktails & Sons (2019), Waterblock Kids (2021), Bomb Ass Fro (2022), Pillar Homecare (2023), and Lagniappe Bakehouse (2024). Amy Flower recognized that, “While this is a JLNO - led event, it would not be possible without our amazing sponsors ” The 2025 WE Fellowship prize package includes:
• $7,500 cash grant provided by Fidelity Bank
• $5,000 worth of accounting advising from Padgett Louisiana
• $5,000 worth of legal services from Jones Walker
• Business coaching and evaluation by TrepWise consulting
• And so much more!
League Faces
Sustainer of the Year Meg Charbonnet celebrates with her daughters and daughter-in-law (LR, Dr Margaux Charbonnet Murray, Kristen Cranmer and Sibby Charbonnet) at the 2025 Sustainer of the Year and Past Presidents Luncheon, held on March 28 at Commander's Palace
Past Presidents of JLNO gather to pass the gavel to the 2025-2026
President and celebrate at the annual Passing of the Gavel, held at JLNO Headquarters on May 20.
The 2025 Run, Walk, Give team set a new record, with 117 charity runners raising funds on behalf of JLNO at the Crescent City Classic on April 19, 2025. Save the date for April 4, 2026 to join the party!
Kendra Reade, Sarah Howard, Michelle Clarke Payne and Catherine Rigby pose with the New Orleans City Council Proclamation recognizing Period Poverty Awareness Week, May 12-18, 2025.
JLNO Members enjoy an evening with friends old and new at the annual Mint Julep Party, honoring Sustainer of the Year, Meg Charbonnet, hosted by Sustainer Liz Creel on May 21.
JLNO members joined other Junior Leagues across the state for League Day at the Capitol on April 24.
League Year By The Numbers
VOLUNTEER
547 Volunteer Opportunities
16,599.75
Volunteer Hours Logged
Partnered with over 57 area nonprofits throughout the year to provide volunteers, supplies and other support
TRAINING
57 Training Opportunities
COMMUNITY
Average of 4,748.25 people outside of membership and comms reached through JLNO programs and initiatives each month
Raised awareness about how to recognize and report human trafficking by distributing materials and soaps to 180 area hotels/motels.
2,841 Training Hours Logged
42 individuals training through Get on Board Awarded $50,000 in Community Assistance Fund grants to three area nonprofits
Officially exceeded 10 million products distributed through the JLNO Diaper Bank since its inception
Celebrated over 114 resident birthdays at Covenant House
Awarded $8,000 in scholarships to nontraditional female students in the Greater New Orleans area
125 Students trained through
150 attendees at Women’s Leadership Summit
EVENTS
731 Tickets sold for TOUCH-A-TRUCK®
Highlighted 31 local vendors at Holly Jolly Market
148 Children served through Educare Gift Drive
117 Runners joined our Run, Walk, Give team for the Crescent City Classic, resulting in $38,072.26 in cash for JLNO