Directors demonstrate strong leadership skills and commitment to achieving lasting community impact

New York, NY – July 17, 2012 – The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. today announced that it has named seven new members of its Board of Directors. As Board members, they will participate in leadership of one of the largest, most effective women’s volunteer organizations in the world, with more than 155,000 members.

AJLI President Toni Freeman said, “These seven women have demonstrated strong leadership skills, reflecting the training they receive as League members as well as the experience gained in their personal and professional lives. Their commitment to achieving lasting community impact, both inside and outside of their Leagues, is a hallmark of League members everywhere. We welcome them to the Board!”

The new Board members are:

Treasurer:  Ginny Jarrett – A Sustaining member of the Junior League of Roanoke Valley, which she joined in 1983, Ms. Jarrett has held a number of leadership roles there, including President and, currently, as a member of its Investment Advisory Committee. She is a past At-Large Director of the AJLI Board and served as the Area II Nominating Representative. Ms. Jarrett, who has been a financial consultant and investment broker for over 25 years, is the co-founder of the Roanoke Women’s Foundation and serves as Administrative Chairman of its Board of Directors. As an advocate of both women’s leadership and philanthropy, she possesses the rare combination of an analytical financial mind and an understanding of human needs service.

International Director: Alice Gardner-Boreta – Since joining the Junior League of Calgary in 2001, Ms. Gardner-Boreta has served as its Treasurer, Finance VP, Community VP, President-Elect and President (2010-2012), as well as its representative to the Canadian Federation of Junior Leagues. She is also a Workshop Instructor in the Government of Alberta.

Governance Vice Chair: Becker Holland – A 24-year active, Ms. Holland has held many leadership positions in the Jr. League of the Palm Beaches and the Jr. League of Gainesville, serving on both Boards, as president of the JLG, and as Task Force Chair for the SPACJL-FL.  She served on the AJLI Nominating Committee and Board as the Area III Director (facilitating the Collaborative League Engagement Task Force). Known for forging partnerships, building consensus, and fundraising, Becker spearheaded the purchase and renovation and of the Family Visitation Center of Children’s Home Society where she serves on the Board, Auxiliary and recently co-chaired their major fundraiser.

At-Large Director: Cynthia Foster – A member of the Junior League of San Francisco, which she joined in 1996, Ms. Foster has served as its President, Corresponding Secretary and Vice President with responsibilities for Community Programs, Strategic Development, and Membership Development. She has also served as Co-Chair for the Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee (Cal-SPAC). Ms. Foster’s relationship with her League started as a manager of its Next-To-New Store, where she created a positive environment and built a reputation for successfully managing both people and projects. She recently served as Advisor to the League’s San Francisco Entertains Cookbook Committee. In addition, Ms. Foster is the Executive Director of the Hillsborough Schools Foundation.

At-Large Director: Eileen Goodwin – A Past President of the Junior League of San José, Ms. Goodwin has also served as a Founding Board Member for its Endowment Board, where she developed a League-wide marketing campaign and matching program that exceeded fundraising goals. As Executive Director of the Santa Clara Traffic Authority, Ms. Goodwin successfully completed a $1.2 billion highway improvement program. Since completing the mission of that agency, she has assisted public agencies and private parties with strategic plans, expenditure plans and program management. Her professional experience also includes political campaign management, marketing, and organization and government management.

At-Large Director: Jodi Penn – A Sustaining member of the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, which she joined in 1993, Ms. Penn served as its President, Community Vice President and Ways & Means Vice President. As President-Elect, she facilitated the development of a Strategic and Annual Plan and implemented the League’s Community Advisory Council. Her intuitive leadership style and strengths in fund development and organizational strategy have also been beneficial to numerous community organizations. Professionally, Ms. Penn is the business development director at the accounting firm of Heard, McElroy & Vestal, LLC.

At-Large Director: Olivia Thomas – A member of the Junior League of Sarasota, where she served as President in 2006-2007, Ms. Thomas completed a two-year term as an At-Large member of the AJLI Nominating Committee in 2010. Ms. Thomas is also the Executive Director of the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC), a state-certified agency serving victims of domestic and sexual assault in two counties in Florida. Prior to joining SPARCC five years ago, she worked as a financial executive in the insurance industry. She holds a BS in Business Administration from the College of Charleston and an MBA from the Citadel.

About The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
Founded in 1901 by New Yorker and social activism pioneer, Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are charitable nonprofit organizations of women, developed as civic leaders, creating demonstrable community impact.

Today, The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) is comprised of more than 155,000 women in 293 Junior Leagues throughout Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States. Together, they constitute one of the largest, most effective volunteer organizations in the world. 

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