President	Julia Strickland
President Elect	Tisha Gibble
Community Vice President	Mary-Margaret Marks
Membership Vice President	Jennifer Keyes
Marketing Vice President	Lisa Nichols
Development Vice President	Maggie Young
Administrative Vice President	Valerie Fortner
Treasurer	Kristen Minton
Treasurer Elect	Whitnie Hall
Nominating Chair	Amy Kurczek
Sustainer Advisor	Jeanne Joyner

JULIA STRICKLAND: President

Volunteering with the Junior League gives me the opportunity to work with varied and interesting women who value being involved in their community, as well as a sense of being an integral part of something meaningful. During my tenure with the League, I have served in a number of capacities from administrative to community-related, including Treasurer. My experiences in this organization helped me discover talents and develop organizational and leadership skills, which empowered me to participate in other community leadership programs such as Leadership Greater Little Rock (Class XXIII) and the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas’ Emerging Leaders (Class I). Professionally, I am the Business Manager for Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C., a law firm whose culture encourages community involvement. In addition to my duties within the League, I serve as Immediate Past President of the Association of Legal Administrators. In 2009, Arkansas Business recognized my accomplishments as one of their “40 under 40” honorees. I am privileged to serve as President and, along with my Board, directing the Junior League of Little Rock on a path that supports our mission and vision. 

TISHA GIBBLE: President-Elect

With encouragement from friends, I joined the provisional class of the Junior League of Little Rock in 1999 becoming an active member the following year. I have been a proud member of our League ever since. My Junior League placements include Admissions and Provisional Training Chair, two-time Holiday House Chair and Marketing Vice President. I have served on the Development, Membership and Marketing Councils. In 2009 I served as chair of one of the Junior League’s newest community projects, Night Owls. For me, the JLLR serves as an outlet for fellowship with other women who possess the same desire that I have to better our community. The JLLR enables members to come together in an atmosphere where we can share our different skills and knowledge with each other. It is fulfilling to be a part of an organization whose mission is to identify new possibilities for volunteerism in the central Arkansas community. Being a member of the Junior League of Little Rock has helped me to better understand the diversity of our community and its leaders, and learn from others who have had different experiences. I work in the Development office for Camp Aldersgate- Arkansas’ only non-profit uniquely dedicated to serving children with disabilities, youth and senior adults in a camp environment. 

MARY-MARGARET MARKS: Community Vice President

I was born and raised in Little Rock. I actually was a Bargain Barn kid - my mom served on the first committee, and funny enough, I served on the last! I ventured off to college at the University of Virginia, and after receiving my B.A. in economics I began my professional life in Charlotte, North Carolina working for one of the investment banks. I also began my Junior League life in Charlotte as well. I completed my provisional year there but moved home to Little Rock in the summer of 2005 in time to begin my active years with JLLR. My first placement was Bargain Barn transportation. I loved my time on “Barn,” and I laugh that I got to “re-know” my hometown through the front seat of the JLLR pickup truck. I have now served on committees in all of the different focus areas of JLLR, and I am very proud to be serving as the Community Vice President this year. I knew from a young age that serving my community was something I desired and needed to do, and as such, I did not think twice about joining the Junior League. Since I have joined, I have learned a tremendous amount from both the opportunities I have had in the League, and from the women with whom I have worked. When not volunteering with JLLR, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our son and our family and friends. 

JENNIFER KEYES: Membership Vice President

With the encouragement of my husband, Morgan, I joined the Junior League of Little Rock in 2004 seeking new friendships and volunteer opportunities...and wow, the Junior League has not disappointed! From playing BINGO with parents at Arkansas Children's hospital to meeting prospective members while serving on the Admissions and Provisionals Training Committee, I have truly enjoyed every facet I have served in as a member of this league and I have made amazing friendships along the way. I seem to have found my niche in the membership sector of the league and I look forward to a great year as Membership Vice President. Originally from Little Rock, I'm a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. I enjoy traveling and watching my two little bundles of energy experience the everyday joys of life.

LISA NICHOLS: Marketing Vice President

My passion for volunteering started when I was in high school where I spent time with patients at a local physical therapy facility. I was asked to join the League by a friend in 2006 which is when I started my provisional year. I truly love the impact that the Junior League of Little Rock has on this community and its residents. So many women and children are directly affected each year by the community service projects that the League has created. In addition, it is amazing to be around a group of such intelligent, consistent, and dedicated women. I graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with degrees in accounting and business administration with an emphasis on information systems and am an account executive with KATV, Channel 7. In addition to my commitment to the League, I am on the board of directors for Pulaski County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), volunteer with the American Red Cross, am on several event committees with the Little Rock Zoo, do make-up artistry, am a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, and love to train my dogs!

MAGGIE YOUNG: Development Vice President

In 2004, I was invited to join the Junior League by a sustainer and family friend. Joining the league was an exciting opportunity to work with other women and make a difference in our community. Over the years, I have done everything from picking up old refrigerators to recruiting league donors to chasing down building leaks. This year as Development Vice President I am excited about again stepping out of my comfort zone and learning new skills to meet new challenges. My other jobs consist of being Finley’s mom, Chris’ wife and the President of Southwest EAP. As a small business owner, my league experience has been invaluable as I have been able to draw strength and inspiration from such a large group of motivated women. 

VALERIE FORTNER: Administrative Vice President 

Once I moved to Little Rock after law school, past-president and sustainer Cindy Miller encouraged me to join the league to meet new friends and get established in the city. While initially relunctant as to what role I would play in the league, I quickly made friends and found my place. I am continually learning through the example of the women around me how to gracefully and stylishly balance work, home, and volunteering. Although I'm absolutely still a work in progress, I see growth and am grateful to the league for the woman it's making me. I work full-time as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division. I also volunteer with the Arkansas Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and its yearly Wine Opener fundraiser. Most importantly, I am a new mother to a beautiful baby boy, Wynn, and am happily married to my childhood crush and lifetime love Travis.

KRISTEN MINTON: Treasurer

I became an active member of the Junior League in 2007. I came to the league with many preconceived notions of what the organization was about and my own expectations for involvement in the organization. My expectations were reshaped by watching women effectively communicate and handle tasks and challenges in an efficient and cooperative manner. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the women of this organization. I attended college at the University of Central Arkansas and obtained a degree in Accounting. From there I received my J.D. from the William H. Bowen UALR School of Law and my LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center. I currently work as Associate General Counsel at Regions Insurance, Inc. In my spare time, I enjoy teaching and spending time with family. 

WHITNIE HALL: Treasurer-Elect

I was encouraged to join the JLLR by a mentor who is an active Sustainer. I was excited about joining the League because I’ve always been active in the community and what better organization could I join to continue to make a difference. The League has provided me with valuable training and allowed me the opportunity to work with many gifted women, as well as, make life long friends. I attended Hendrix College and obtained a degree in Economics and Business with an emphasis in Economics and a Masters of Arts in Accounting. I am currently an Internal Auditor with the State of Arkansas . In my spare time, I enjoy reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends. 

AMY KURCZEK: Nominating Chair 

I joined the Junior League eight years ago, ready to meet new people and make a difference in my community. I never imagined the opportunities that would be presented to me through the experiences I would have as a League member. I have met some incredible women who inspire me daily in many ways, through their level of commitment and passion for the causes we support. Over the years, I have mainly worked on the financial side of the League, most notably as Treasurer. As Nominating Chair, I hope to work with my committee to fill the nominated positions with solid leadership for the League. In addition to my Junior League work, I am an Account Manager for BancorpSouth Insurance Services, as well as a wife and mother. I look forward to another year of working with the fantastic women of the League to make a difference in our community. 

JEANNE JOYNER: Sustainer Advisor

I am honored to be serving the JLLR this year as the Board's Sustainer Representative. I have loved all of the work I have done with the League over the years, beginning with my provisional year when I worked on the development of Apron Strings. My active years in the League were spent on the "Ways and Means" side of the League -- I chaired the Cookbook and Holiday House committees and served on the Board as the Development Vice-President. As a sustainer, I have served as the sustainer representative on the Finance Council and I have also served on the Financial Development Task Force. All of my involvement in the JLLR has underscored one thing to me over and over again -- one of the greatest parts of the JLLR mission is to "promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women, and improve the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers". As I have moved on to other community volunteer opportunities following my League years, I am always impressed by the benefit other community organizations receive through the involvement of volunteers who have been trained for service in the JLLR. I am grateful for the training and opportunities I received in the League to enhance my leadership skills and learn to become a more effective volunteer. Among my other community volunteer involvement, for the past six years I have served as President of the Board of Trustees of Episcopal Collegiate School where I have definitely put my League training to good use, I look forward to serving the League again this year as the Sustainer Representative and also look forward to one of the other great benefits of the JLLR -- making new friends and reconnecting with old ones in service to our community!