Junior League of New Orleans inducts new board of directors

Written By Alicia Vial

A new century of women leading for a greater New Orleans begins

NEW ORLEANS – The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) welcomed their new board of directors during the 101st annual Passing of the Gavel ceremony held yesterday at the organization’s Headquarters at 4319 Carondelet St.

The 2025-2026 board of directors includes:

  • Michelle Clarke Payne, president

  • Shelby Wynne, president-elect

  • Phoebe Hathorn, secretary

  • Genevieve Anderson, treasurer

  • Margaret Saik, assistant treasurer

  • Krystal Hebert, Planning & Development Council director

  • Hope Clay, nominating chair

  • Emily Vorhoff, Community Council director

  • Savanna VanAusdale, Membership Council director

  • Lynn Spearman, Communications Council director

  • Lovie Rodgers, Ways & Means Council director

  • Alexa Dow Sturtz, Business Council director

  • Kristin Van Hook Moore, sustaining advisor to the board

“The opportunity to lead this organization is an incredible honor,” says Clarke Payne. “The resilience and commitment to the New Orleans community this organization has shown over the past 101 years is truly inspiring and I look forward to the positive impact JLNO will create as we embark on a new century of service.”

During the ceremony attendees gathered to welcome the new board of directors and celebrate JLNO’s impact in the 2024-2025 League year. Out-going president, Tara Waldron, recognized the WE Fellowship Award Recipient, Laura Fenner of Chateau Sew & Sew and the 2025 Sustainer of the Year for the Junior League of New Orleans. She also presented $8,000 in scholarships to two non-traditional female students as part of the organization’s Scholarship Opportunity Program, helping to alleviate their financial burden and providing an easier path to economic success and independence. 

One of the most exciting moments of the night was when Waldron had the opportunity to present the inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award to an Active Member of the Junior League of New Orleans. This award honors a Junior League of New Orleans Active Member who has demonstrated outstanding service, leadership, and dedication throughout the League year. This woman exemplifies everything JLNO stands for — not just through her time and energy, but through her passion, initiative, and commitment to our mission and to the community. This year’s recipient, Kenya Myles, has shown tremendous initiative and has actively supported the JLNO Diaper Bank for the past few years. Her spirit, creativity, and commitment truly embody the heart of voluntarism — and the heart of JLNO.

As one of the largest Leagues in the world, JLNO is an organization of more than 1,700 women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. 

To learn more about JLNO and their upcoming initiatives, visit jlno.org. 

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About Junior League New Orleans  
Junior League of New Orleans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. More information on the organization can be found at www.jlno.org 

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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