Junior League of New Orleans welcomes new board of directors

Written By Alicia Vial

Shelby Wynne will lead the organization into its 103rd year of service

NEW ORLEANS - The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) celebrated the 102nd annual Passing of the Gavel ceremony May 19 at League headquarters. The ceremony celebrated more than a century of women leading for a Greater New Orleans and welcomed the new board of directors, led by President Shelby Wynne.

The 2027-28 board of directors includes:

  • LeeAnn Moss, president-elect

  • ‍ Alexandra “Allie” Olivier, secretary

  • ‍ Margaret Saik, treasurer

  • Anne Kock, assistant treasurer

  • Emily Sandefer, Business Council director

  • Jenny Daniels, Communications Council director

  • Diana Vasquez, Community Council director

  • Nathalie Dillon, Membership Council director

  • Becca Wallace Ryan, Planning & Development Council director

  • Linsey Marriott, Ways & Means Council director

  • Amy Flower, Nominating Council chair

  • Holly Paczak, sustaining advisor to the board

“As one of the largest Junior Leagues in the world with nearly 1,800 members, it is an incredible honor to lead this amazing group of women.” said Wynne. “From community impact to leadership development, this organization continues to prove what women working together can accomplish.”

During the ceremony, attendees celebrated JLNO’s impact in the 2025-26 League year and recognized the Women’s Entrepreneur Fellowship recipient, Coco Howe of Kits. It also presented $8,000 in scholarships to two nontraditional female students as part of the organization’s Scholarship Opportunity Program that helps to alleviate financial burden and provide an easier path to economic success and independence.  

Immediate past president Michelle Clarke Payne presented the second annual Volunteer of the Year Award to Catherine Rigby as well as the 2026 Sustainer of the Year Award to Sarah "Sally" Suthon. Both awards are given to members who demonstrate outstanding service, leadership and dedication throughout the League year.

For more information about JLNO visit www.jlno.org.

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About Junior League New Orleans
Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) 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.

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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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