Leadership

2025-2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors serves to advise, govern, oversee policy and direction, and assist with the leadership and general promotion of JLLA so as to support the organization’s mission and needs.

Dawn Eash Wazzan, President

Dawn Eash Wazzan joined Junior League of Los Angeles in 2014, beginning as a committee member on our project with Daybreak/The People Concern. As chair of Project Research and Development, she spearheaded new projects with Happy Trails, Harvest Home, and led the launch of Community Improvement Projects. After receiving JLLA’s Shining Star award, Dawn served as Community VP and Board Director, co-chairing the Strategic Partnerships working group and establishing the Investment Advisory Committee. Most recently, Dawn chaired JLLA’s Centennial Committee, launching the quiet phase of the Legacy campaign. Dawn is a graduate of JLLA’s Public Policy Institute, Leadership Development Institute, Fund Development Institute, and a Riordan Leadership Institute fellow.

Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Finance from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Master of Statistics from North Carolina State University which she applied during her career in economic consulting. Currently, Dawn focuses on raising her children and her volunteer work.
Lynn Lipinski, Secretary
Lynn Lipinski joined JLLA in 1999, serving on its board from 2003-06 in roles including Training Director, Projects Director, and Vice President. After transitioning to a Sustaining member in 2008, Lynn returned as an active member in 2023 and has served as Secretary since June 2024.

Professionally, Lynn is a seasoned communications strategist, writer, and editor with more than 30 years of experience. She has authored several mystery thriller novels, including Bloodlines, God of the Internet, and Serpent Loop. Lynn holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Mount St. Mary’s University.
Ashley Corp, Treasurer
Ashley Corp joined the Junior League of Los Angeles in 2020 and has served on several committees including Centennial, Fundraising and Project Evaluation, and Engagement. She also served as Operations VP, and as assistant to the president her first active year. Ashley has a Bachelor’s of Science in Management from the University of Alabama and works as a category manager for Amazon.
Kylee Peña, Director-At-Large
Kylee Pena joined JLLA in 2019 and has served as Communications VP, Assistant to Management Council, Touch a Truck Co-Chair, Historian, and created the Video Storytelling committee to enhance the league’s visual storytelling. In 2024, she was selected to be part of AJLI’s 40 Under 40 List.

Kylee is a Sr. Product Marketing Manager at Adobe, where she works on pro video tools. She holds a BS in Media Arts from Indiana University, an MS in Integrated Design, Business, and Technology from the University of Southern California, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Technology from Purdue University.
Jen Shah, Director-At-Large
Jen Shah joined the Junior League of Los Angeles in 2015 and during her League career has served on Development and Training Councils chairing and planning major fundraising events like Harvest Boutique and training New Members as well as furthering the Training curriculum of the League.

Jen, a Loyola Marymount University alumna, is a Sales Executive at ClearCompany. When she’s not at Rainey House, she spends her free time discovering new restaurants, adding to her Goodreads, and curating dinner party menus.
Latoya Vickers, Director-at-Large (Sustainer)
LaToya Vickers transferred to JLLA in 2017 and has served numerous leadership roles including Harvest Boutique Chair, Finance VP, and Treasurer. She has over 15 years experience spanning sales, business development, account management, and product/brand marketing for start-up and enterprise organizations. She holds a bachelors degree in broadcast from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and a masters degree in organizational community from Howard University.
Kim Pettiford, Nominating Director
Kim Pettiford joined JLLA in 2017. She has completed the Leadership Development Institute (LDI) and Public Policy Institute (PPI) training programs and has served on the Nominating, Finance, Community, and Training Councils. She also served on FEC, PEC, and the board governance working group. Raised in New Jersey, Kim is a corporate finance and accounting executive who has built and optimized accounting functions for startups and private organizations. She holds two undergraduate degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill and is completing her Executive MBA at HEC Paris. Passionate about languages, she studied Spanish in Mexico and is now learning French.
Marsha Sallai, Director-at-Large (Sustainer)
Marsha Sallai has served JLLA for over 30 years, including as Holiday Boutique Chair, Membership Advisor, Fall Fundraiser Chair, and many more. Marsha built her own luxury gift business where she continues to serve as president. She holds a bachelors degree in political science and a masters in public administration from USC.

2025-2026 MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

The Management Council oversees the day-to-day operational organization and performance of the League and the nine Councils that make up JLLA. Each of the nine Councils is made up of several Committees, and each Committee has a Chair and an Associate Chair or Co-Chair.

Leanna Wood, President-Elect
Leanna Wood joined the Junior League of Washington in 2012 and transferred to LA in 2018. Over the last decade, she has served the League in numerous leadership roles on Management Council and the Board including Treasurer, Communications VP, Investment Advisory and Endowment Committees, Centennial Associate Chair for Fundraising, and many more. Professionally, Leanna is SVP of Global Operations for National Research Group and holds a BA in International Affairs from The George Washington University.

As President-Elect, Leanna is also a member of JLLA’s Board of Directors.
Amy Mathias, Communications Vice President
Amy Mathias has been a member of JLLA since 2012, and has served as Publications Chair, SPAC Delegate, and Harvest Boutique Co-Chair. In 2013, her proposed high school metal health bill won JLLA’s There Ought to be a Law competition.

Amy is Principal and co-founder of Offices Mathias, an architectural and design practice she shares with her husband. Together they have one son, Troy, and the three volunteer with St. Monica Community. Amy studied Legal Studies at Berkeley and Experimental Psychology at CSUN.
Coley Nelson, Community Vice President
Coley Nelson joined JLLA in 2018. She has served on the Done in a Day, Training and Education, and Civic Leadership Forum Committees, and held the role of Associate Chair for Done in a Day for two years. She is also a graduate of JLLA’s Leadership Development Institute.

Professionally, Coley is a Prevention of Sexual Abuse Compliance Manager at Hillsides, supporting policy and compliance initiatives for the agency’s long-term foster care program. She holds a BA in Communication Studies from Elmhurst University and a Master of Public Health from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
Michelle Amado, Development Vice President
Michelle Amado transferred to JLLA in 2017 and has served the League in numerous roles including Public Policy Vice President, Civic Leadership Forum committee, and incubating the DEIB committee before it became a council. Professionally, Michelle is a Special Investigator for the California Department of Insurance. She holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Chaminade University of Honolulu and a masters in public policy from Pepperdine University.
Jessica Begley, Development Vice President Elect
Jessica Begley joined JLLA in 2020 and immediately jumped into leadership roles including New Member Training Team Advisor, Harvest Boutique Chair-Elect, and Leadership Development and Immersion (LDI) Co-Chair. Professionally, Jessica is a Growth and Development Director for Western Mutual where she empowers women to take control of their finances. Jessica holds a bachelors degree from the University and Tulsa.
Rebecca Fleming, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Vice President
Rebecca Fleming has been a member of JLLA since 2001. She has held numerous leadership positions, including two terms as Membership VP. Her previous roles also include serving as Chair of Centennial Marketing & Events, Donor Relations & Stewardship, and Training & Education.

With more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Rebecca brings a strong background in community outreach & education, fundraising, and event planning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. Rebecca is a passionate advocate for disability awareness, inclusion, and health equity.
Elissa Refold, Finance Vice President
Elissa joined JLLA in 2014, jumping right into the League’s largest fundraiser and event, Harvest Boutique, for several years as a committee member, associate chair, and chair. Elissa has also served the League as a treasurer and on the investment advisory committee, among other placements. Elissa works in wealth management and holds a BA from Columbia University and JD from Loyola Law School.
Janine Moy, Membership Vice President
Janine Moy joined the Junior League in 2018, and has served on the Training Council, Public Policy Council, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and Membership Council. In 2024, she became the first DEIB Vice President when the council was instated. Janine has also participated in multiple Board working groups, the Centennial Committee, and is a graduate of JLLA’s Leadership Development Institute.

Janine currently works in healthcare as an office manager and Oral Surgery assistant. Janine received her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Arizona (Bear Down!).
Jenna Murphy, Nominating Director-Elect
Jenna Murphy joined JLLA in 2017 and has served in a variety of leadership roles across several Councils including Communications, Finance, Nominating, and most recently, as the DEIB Training Chair. An experienced attorney and financial services executive, Jenna holds both her BA and law degree from UCLA. She currently resides in Tarzana with her husband, Brian (a producer at Marvel Studios), their daughter, Vivian (turning 3 in August 2025), and their cat, Salem. Jenna looks forward to leveraging her strengths as Nominating Director-Elect in the 2025-2026 League Year.
Raffaella Liserre, Operations Vice President
Raffaella Liserre joined the Junior League of Los Angeles in 2021 and is honored to serve as Operations Vice President during the organization’s Centennial Year. Over the years, she has been deeply involved in the League’s Development efforts, most notably serving as Chair of Harvest Boutique, JLLA’s largest annual fundraiser, in 2024. She has also played a key leadership role in planning Touch-A-Truck, further supporting the League’s mission through impactful fundraising initiatives.

Raffaella studied Political Science and, professionally, manages the personal and professional lives of high-profile individuals, ensuring seamless day-to-day operations.
Jasmine Tabankia, Public Policy Vice President
A member since 2019, Jasmine Tabankia has served JLLA through key committees including Local Public Affairs, Harvest Boutique, and Harvest Home. In 2025, she participated in California State Public Affairs Committee’s Day at the Capitol, working directly with lawmakers in Sacramento. Professionally, Jasmine is a fertility acupuncturist and fertility coach. With a background in psychology, she graduated from the Chinese Medicine School Yo San University with a Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Lauren Ekerling, Sustaining Vice President
Lauren Ekerling has been a member of JLLA since 2002. She has served on multiple Councils including Board Secretary under 3 different Presidents and as the Sustaining VP under 3 different President-Elects. She has chaired Holiday Boutique & Tea Party, Healthy Habits, and Assistant’s Committee. In addition to numerous committee placements and Asst Chair positions, she has served as the Legacy Leadership Circle Co-Chair and as a Sustaining Advisor to the Secretary and later to the Treasurer. She has served on both PEC & FEC, various working groups (Membership, Governance, LA28) and multiple years on the Centennial Committee.

Lauren works as an Attorney and has been practicing Workers’ Compensation law with the same firm for over 30 years.
Bonnie Wong, Training Vice President
Bonnie Wong has been a member of JLLA for thirty years, beginning her journey in 1996. She has served the League in numerous key roles and projects including Silent Witness, State Public Affairs Committee Delegate, Rainey House Operations, New Member Training Team, Donor Relations, and many more. Bonnie is a Director at Children’s Hospital LA and a graduate of USC.