The Nominating Council is thrilled to introduce to you the Junior League of Boston’s 2018 Leadership Slate! Please join us in congratulating these accomplished women who will lead our League in 2019-2020, the second year of our new leadership model. Throughout this year’s nominating process, we were impressed by the energy, grace, and commitment of the entire applicant pool.  We are confident that, with this group at the helm, our League will continue to live its mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.  Congratulations, ladies!

President: Michelle Lentz

Board of Directors

Michelle Lentz has been actively involved with the Junior League since 2002, when she joined as a New Member in San Antonio, TX. She transferred to Dallas, TX in 2003 and served for several years on a variety of community-based and internal-supporting placements, including Musical Therapy and the Dallas Dish Cookbook, on which she held leadership positions. Since transferring to Boston in 2011, Michelle served in a leadership capacity as the Transfer Committee Co-Chair in 2012-2013 and the Director of Membership 2014-2015. She returns to the Board of Directors again this year as Director of Fund Development. Michelle graduated from Texas Christian University and currently lives in the Back Bay. She works in the advertising/marketing industry and serves as Account Director for the digital marketing firm, Primacy.

Michelle’s term as President of the Junior League of Boston will span 2018-2020, as approved by membership in June 2017.

Executive Vice President-Elect: Tracy Barber Prabhu

Board of Directors

Tracy Prabhu is a John Maxwell Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Trainer who helps individuals in the profit, nonprofit and entrepreneur sector to increase their leadership skills. Tracy started her coaching business in 2017 to help others achieve the success they desire in whatever professional avenue they choose.

Tracy is a passionate leader known for motivating and leading individuals to achieve their professional and personal goals. She is a excellent communicator with the ability to inspire and engage audiences of all sizes. With an eye towards strategic planning and team building she has lead numerous teams and projects thru the delivery of key initiatives.

Prior to starting her own coaching and training company, Tracy spent over 20 years in a variety of leadership roles such as Director of Revenue Management with iHeartMedia, Trainer Supervisor for Lan International, and Product and Business Engagement Manager for iHeartRevenue Platforms.

In addition to her work in the corporate sector, Tracy has been a member of 4 Junior Leagues and is currently an active member of the Boston League where she serves as Solutions Summit Co-Chair. Since joining her first League in 2005, she has served in many leadership roles including President of the Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Membership Vice President, Community Vice President and a variety of chair positions. Throughout her League career she has been known for her leadership, critical thinking and strategic planning skills.

Treasurer-Elect: Pendery Haines

Board of Directors

Pendery Haines is a Financial Analyst at Harvard University in the Budgets, Reporting, & Analysis group for Campus Services. She prepares annual budgets totaling over $24 million, year-end reports, and multi-year financial plans for six different business units within Transportation Services. In her previous role at Harvard, she was a Finance Associate at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research. There she managed spending on software, travel, and supplies for the center’s federally-sponsored accounts. Prior to that, she was an equity partner in an interior design firm where she oversaw legal and financial preparations to franchise the concept.

Pendery is an Active member of the Junior League of Boston where she is currently the founding chair of the Jeremiah Program Committee. She oversees a group of league volunteers who support the Jeremiah Program which is a national organization that prepares determined single mothers to excel in the workforce, readies their children to succeed in school, and reduces generational dependence on public assistance. Volunteers tutor and mentor the mothers while they pursue their college degrees and assist with training for these mothers in the areas of career development, financial independence, and empowerment. Pendery also serves as an Assistant to the President of the Junior League which consists of writing speeches and content for publications. One of her favorite things about the League is that it connects her with so many additional opportunities such as career mentoring, other volunteer activities, and numerous social events.  Additionally, she is a state chair for the Middlebury Alumni Admissions Program and volunteers monthly at Community Servings.

In her spare time, Pendery loves to ski and travel. She graduated Cum Laude from Middlebury College in 2008 with a BA in Sociology/Anthropology with a Spanish minor and earned a Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies, General Management from Harvard University in 2015.

Secretary- Elect: Kimberly Wells

Board of Directors

Kimberly joined the Junior League of Boston in 2013 and has served on Community Council, with Dress for Success, and as the chair of Strong Women, Strong Girls. Recently, she has served as Membership Advisor for two years, where she has focused on initiatives such as The League Cares and Circles. Kimberly works for the Collins Center for Public Management at UMass Boston, where she furthers their public service mission by providing consulting services for municipal and state government agencies and departments. Kimberly holds Master of Public Administration and Master of Science in Political Science degrees from Suffolk University and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degrees from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. She also spends time volunteering on various committees in the City of Somerville and teaching English to speakers of other languages through the Welcome Project. In her spare time, she is likely to be found training for half marathons, and is always looking for new breweries to visit and fitness classes to try.

Director of Nominating-Elect: Grace DaFonseca

Board of Directors

Originally from New England, Grace E. DaFonseca jumped at the chance to move back 7 years ago to attend Suffolk Law School after graduating from Miami University. After a few years in Boston, she found herself yearning to connect and support her community more. She joined the Junior League of Boston where she has had the opportunity to support the community as a member of the Events Committee, a New Member Advisor, and as Secretary on the Board of Directors. Outside of the League, she serves on the Executive Council of Zoo New England’s young professionals group, The Wild Things. She brings her love of animals home with her where she has two adopted cats.

Member-At-Large (Sustainer, 1 year term): Sarah Calabrese

Board of Directors

Sarah Calabrese is a Sustaining Member of the Junior League of Boston. She joined the League in 2001 and has served as a member of the Board as a Presidential Appointee, Director of Membership, President-Elect and President. As a sustainer, she has enjoyed her membership as a Past Community Project Chair, working with girls from the Boston Rennaissance Charter School. Sarah also led the Governance committee which reviewed the AJLI suggested new Governance model which The Junior League is transitioning to. Sarah has also been on the Nominating committee and House Renovation Committee.

Professionally, Sarah is an Account Manager at Oracle Corporation. She holds an MBA from Boston College and a BA from St. Lawrence University.

In addition to her work with the Junior League, Sarah is also a member of The Vincent Club and is involved with My Life My Choice. She is also a Class Agent for the Millbrook School.

Member-At-Large (Sustainer, 2 year term): Jennifer Provermo

Board of Directors

Jennifer Poveromo is a Sustaining Member of the Junior League of Boston. She joined the League in 2000 and as an active she served as Provisional Advisor for several years, Active advisor program manager, and on other community projects. As a sustainer, she has enjoyed her membership as a very active member of the Sustainer Council since 2008, became a member of the Chowder Society in 2013 and received the Outstanding Sustainer Member of the year 2013-2014.

Professionally, Jennifer is a Territory Manager at Olympus Corporation of America. She holds a BA in Biochemistry and Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

In addition to her work with the Junior League, Jennifer is also a member of The Vincent Club, MFA council and is involved with the Esplanade Association.

Member-At-Large (Active, 1 year term): Leigh Anne Dempsey

Board of Directors

Leigh Anne Dempsey will serve one year on the Board of Directors as Director at Large.  She has previously held many positions within our organization with the most recent being Director of Nominating and prior to that, Director of Membership of the Junior League of Boston

Leigh Anne currently is employed as a Principal Sales Representative for Medtronic Endovascular in the downtown Boston area.  She is a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Communications and a minor in Hospitality Administration.  Prior to joining Medtronic, Leigh Anne was with Boston Scientific and Johnson and Johnson.

She resides in the Back Bay of Boston with her three “fur babies”- NOLA, Beignet and Gumbo.  Leigh Anne is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and now calls Boston home.

Member-At-Large (Active, 2 year term): Hale Yazicioglu Lake

Board of Directors

Hale Lake joined the Junior League of Boston in 2012 and currently serves as the Director of Training. Hale previously served as a New Member Advisor for two years, co-chaired the Annual Fund Committee and was on the JL Boston Arts committee at the Boston Renaissance Charter School in Hyde Park. Outside of the League, Hale is the current Chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association Mock Trial Committee – a program offering high school students from across the state an opportunity to test their skills as lawyers and witnesses in a simulated courtroom competition where they learn about the fundamentals of our judicial system and how it can impact their lives.

Professionally, Hale is a consumer financial services and real estate attorney in the Boston office of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP where she represents mortgage lenders and servicers in complex litigation, including bankruptcy, real estate and title matters.  Hale earned her B.A. in English from Boston College and her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Hale lives in the Fenway with her husband.

Vice President of Communications-Elect: Isabelle Plante

Executive Management Team

My journey of giving back began at 16 years old as a mentor and teacher for at-risk kids.  After many years volunteering, I joined JL Boston to leverage the power of the organization to multiply my impact.  I am very passionate about how fitness, nutrition, and meditation can change the lives of at-risk populations and be a tool to optimize anyone’s personal performance. I volunteer because I believe in the power of paying it forward. Our simple acts of generosity, kindness, and showing up can be the turning point for those we work with and for creating more tolerance and connection in a turbulent world.

In my professional life I have leveraged technology, design, and data to scale and build disruptive e-commerce marketplaces by delivering great customer experiences.  My work ranges from early-stage startups to large public companies, including Care.com, Treatwell, TripAdvisor, and Upromise.

I have a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Finance from Babson College and a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation and Business Management from Daniel Webster College.

When not working or volunteering, you can find me teaching yoga, hiking, or tiling a bathroom.  My husband and I have two rather large cats, so if we’re Facebook friends, I apologize in advance for all the cat memes.

Vice President of Community Service-Elect: Tori Hay

Executive Management Team

Tori Hay is the Vice President of Global Philanthropy at BNY Mellon. She is responsible for establishing and maintaining nonprofit partnerships in BNY Mellon’s key markets that fit within the company’s philanthropic focus: economic empowerment and technological and digital capacity building. She leverages the company’s portfolio of grant and sponsorship recipients to engage employees in skills-based volunteerism, and promotes the company’s philanthropic impact through strategic internal and external communications.

Prior to joining BNY Mellon, Tori managed marketing and corporate philanthropy initiatives at The MENTOR Network, a national network of human service providers. She also served as the Assistant Director of The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation and Network Angels, The Network’s emergency assistance program for employees. Tori serves on the board of The Corporate Volunteer Council of Greater Boston, organizing educational forums and events aimed to strengthen corporate voluntarism within its membership and surrounding communities. She has been an active member of JL Boston since 2013 and co-chaired Leader Within, a mentoring program for sixth grade girls at Excel Academy Charter School, from 2014-2017. In 2014 she was named JL Boston’s Outstanding Provisional Member of the Year for her fundraising efforts and commitment to voluntarism in the Greater Boston community. Tori holds a B.A in Psychology from Wheaton College in Norton, MA and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Sector, Philanthropy and Social Change at Northeastern University. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Public Administration at Northeastern University. She resides in Beacon Hill and is active in the Beacon Hill Civic Association.

Vice President of Fund Development-Elect: Marisa Roman

Executive Management Team

Marisa joined the Junior League in 2012 and served on the Show House Committee. She served on the Charity Gala Committee in 2014 and was a Small Events Lead and the Development Outreach Chair in 2015. Since then, her interests have shifted toward community and she is the current Manager of Community Research & Development.

Marisa is an Associate Attorney at Pierce Davis & Perritano, LLP in downtown Boston, where she practices civil litigation. She received her law degree from Boston University School of Law in 2015 and her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in 2009. She is the current Vice-President of the BU Law Young Alumni Council and serves on the board of the UVA Club of Boston. Marisa is also an active member of the Boston Bar Foundation and the Boston Bar Association. In her spare time, she enjoys running along the Esplanade, drinking wine with her friends, cheering on the Patriots and following puppy accounts on Instagram.

 Vice President of Membership-Elect: Morgan Urlaub

Executive Management Team

I grew up in Buffalo, NY and moved to Scranton, PA as I was entering my sophomore year of high school. I went to Penn State University for my undergraduate degree, graduating with a BS in Finance and a dual minor in Economics & Health Policy Administration. I moved to Boston a month after my graduation to start working at Liberty Mutual Insurance, and have been working and living in Boston ever since. I currently reside in the North End, with my sister and best friend, Kait, and have thoroughly enjoyed tasting my way through my neighborhood!

Vice President of Placement-Elect: Liza Bates

Executive Management Team

Since joining the Junior League in 2011, Liza has served on the Strategic Management & Planning, and Secretary’s Councils, as well as the community placements Dress for Success, and JL Boston Events. She currently chairs STEM East Boston. Liza works at Boston University as the Associate University Registrar, where she’s involved in classroom design, curriculum, and academic policy. She’s especially passionate about the translation of philosophy into practice.

Liza grew up in Western Massachusetts, earning her BA in Psychology at UNC Asheville, and her MS in Neuroscience at King’s College London. Liza is an avid reader, enjoys running on the esplanade, loves cooking nearly as much as eating, and organizes her life in spreadsheets. She and her husband Steve live in Bay Village.

Vice President of Technology-Elect: Amanda McDermott

Executive Management Team

Amanda joined the Junior League in 2015 after moving to Boston from North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina where she majored in linguistics, and where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She is currently a software engineer at a Boston-based tech startup.

Passionate about making education accessible to people from all walks of life, Amanda is a volunteer mentor with General Assembly and Resilient Coders. Her particular focus is on providing support for women & women of color

Vice President of Training (Active 2018-2019): LeAnne MacKenzie

Executive Management Team

LeAnne MacKenzie joined the Junior League of Boston in 2015 and has served as a member of the JLB Arts – Boston Renaissance Charter School committee and as a member of the Training Council, where she was proud to participate in the launch of the JL Boston Mentorship Program in 2017. LeAnne is a graduate of Emmanuel College and works as an employee benefits professional.

Vice President of Training-Elect: Laima Bobelis

Executive Management Team

Laima Bobelis currently sits on the Solutions Summit Committee, which is a pilot program that aims to find opportunities for the Junior League to connect in a more impact way with our Boston Community.  Laima has been a member of the Junior League of Boston since 2013. Since becoming a member she has served on the Secretary’s Council, the Headquarter Branding Committee, chaired the Ball and Bachelor Auction, and served a two-year placement on the Nominating Council. Laima graduated from Boston College and is currently the Community Relations Program Manager at Natixis Investment Managers.

Internal Communications Manager-Elect: Avery Russell

Avery Russell joined the Junior League of Boston in 2014. She was Community based for her first three years, serving one as a volunteer in Leader Within and two years as the chair of JLB Arts BRCS. Avery transitioned into the Internal side of the League in 2017 and has been both the Diversity and Inclusion Membership Lead and a New Member Advisor for the Blue Group. She is very much looking forward to supporting the inner workings of the Junior League of Boston as the Internal Communications Manager.

New Member Program Manager-Elect: Emily Thomsen

Emily is a Rhode Island Native and relocated to Boston after accepting a position at the online retailer, Wayfair.com in 2013.  Since working at Wayfair she has been a member of the Executive Level Service Team and most recently expanded the Social Media Moderation Team at the corporate office here in Boston.  Emily joined The League in 2015 and since has volunteered for Dress for Success and has acted as the External Communications manager in 2016-2017 and 2017-18.  Outside of all things Junior League, Emily has a passion for reading, writing, cooking, live music and Boston sports!

Transfer Program Manager-Elect: Connie Henderson

Connie is a transfer advisor that joined the Junior League in 2012 in Charlotte. She served on the Thompson Child and Family Focus committee working with at risk youth, was a reporter for JLC’s quarterly magazine The Crier, and served on the Membership Committee. Connie moved to Boston in 2015 where she served on JLB Arts committee and participated in many transfer events. She loved getting to know both Current and Legacy Transfer Members as well was the Transfer Committee. This is her second year as a transfer advisor.

Connie works as an 8th Grade English teacher in Cambridge, loves to read, is an avid bowler, and enjoys getting out and exploring what the city has to offer.

Member of Nominating Council: Stephanie Lincoln Lerner

Stephanie Lerner has been an active member of the Junior League of Boston since 2012. Before serving on Nominating, she has served as New Member Advisor, Membership Advisor, Director of Marketing and Communications and most recently Co-Chaired the Little Black Dress Initiative. Professionally, Stephanie is a Sales Manager at Chobani. She lives in the South Shore with her husband and is a proud dog mom to mini schnauzer Archie and rescue mutt Blue.

Member of Nominating Council: Audra Dainora

Audra is a real estate developer and entrepreneur specializing in renovating distressed mixed use properties that are underutilized and repurposing them to improve communities. In 2015, Banker & Tradesman gave Audra the Women of FIRE award for being a key female player in the local Finance, Insurance and Real Estate sector. Audra has long experience in nonprofit management and volunteer engagement, including serving as President and Treasurer of the Junior League of Boston. In 2014, the Junior League presented her with its Distinguished Service Award for her leadership of a $2.2 million renovation of its historic Newbury Street brownstone. She is on the Board of Trustees of Belmont Day School, is on the Board of Directors of the College Club of Boston, and is a member of CREW Boston (Women in Commercial Real Estate). Audra received degrees from University of Chicago (Ph.D.), Middlebury College (M.A.) and Smith College (A.B.) and subsequently was a visiting scholar at MIT, a visiting research fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and a lecturer at Northeastern University.

Interested in joining this amazing team?

We are still looking for slated leaders. If you are interested in serving in one of the following positions, please contact Nominating Council to express your interest. Position descriptions and application can be found on our member site here (login required).

• Vice President of Sustainer Membership
• External Communications Manager
• Community Research & Development Manager