The Junior League of Atlanta, Inc. proudly announces its new President, Carla C. Smith, and Board of Directors for the 2018-2019 league year. The JLA is an organization of over 3,000 diverse women committed to making a difference in the lives of women and children. Many of Atlanta’s cherished institutions, such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Children’s Shelter, Trees Atlanta and the Atlanta Speech School, were established or founded in part by the women of the Junior League of Atlanta.

Carla C. Smith, the second African American and woman of color to serve as president of the organization in its 102-year history, has been a member of the Junior League since 2008. “I am honored to serve as President of the Junior League of Atlanta, alongside a talented, diverse slate of female civic leaders on the Board of Directors,” said Ms. Smith. “I accept the great responsibility to continue our efforts of meaningful service to the Atlanta community.  As we unite under the single mission of JLA, our diversity – whether race, religion, experiences, age or other status, makes us stronger and it makes us unstoppable. We will champion our diversity and stand on our legacy of community impact built by thousands of other women who served before us to continue to build a better community.”

This year, members of the Junior League of Atlanta will focus on critical issues facing the Atlanta community, including early childhood education, commercial sexual exploitation/human trafficking and generational poverty. Volunteers are committed to dedicating more than 100,000 hours over the next 12 months to these efforts and to support JLA’s nonprofit partners. The organization also provides leadership and civic training for its members with programs including the JLA Leadership Institute, the JLA Women’s Leadership Forum and leadership retreats for new and returning leaders.

“The women of JLA are tackling some of the city’s toughest issues and we are successfully doing so because we are an organization of committed, trained civic leaders and volunteers,” said Ms. Smith.

Ms. Smith is supported by the Board of Directors to lead the organization and leave a lasting impact on the city of Atlanta.

2018-2019 Board of Directors:

President - Carla C. Smith

President-Elect - Andrea Smith

Advisory Planning Chair - Bre West

VP of Advocacy & Initiatives - Kristin Bernhard

VP of Community Impact - Margaux Kaynard

VP of Fund Development - Victoria Cuesta

VP of Internal Operations – Jennifer Bauer-Lyons

VP of Learning & Development - Amy McClain

VP of Marketing & Communications - Tenee Hawkins

VP of Membership - Ryan O'Neil

Assistant to the President - Jennifer Alewine

Sustainer Representative to the Board - Cynthia Clanton

Recording Secretary - Fabiola Charles Stokes

Parliamentarian - Daniela Medina

Nominating Chair - Kimberly Wright

Director of Impacts & Measurements - Elizabeth Henry

Director of Support Services - Sharon Klein