AJLI Departments & Team

Senior Leadership Team #

AJLI’s leadership team is led by Melanie Schild, Chief Executive Officer, and is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to the Association.

The members of the Senior Leadership Team are:

  • Melanie Schild, Chief Executive Officer
  • Melody LaRose, Vice President of AJLI Operations
  • Nicole Bergman, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
  • Joslyn McGriff-Bensley, Vice President of Growth, Learning & Engagement
  • Katie Walsh, Vice President of League Services & Sustainability
  • Judy Albertson, Director of Finance & Accounting

Chief Executive Officer #

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) oversees the strategic direction of the organization, including its growth, operations and resources; represents AJLI externally from an AJLI Staff standpoint; and works with AJLI Staff and Board to maximize our success. In addition to overseeing the work of all departments, including AJLI Operations, Marketing & Communications, League Services & Sustainability, Growth, Learning & Engagement, the CEO works directly with Finance & Accounting and Human Resources.

Ajli Operations #

The Vice President of AJLI Operations oversees the central services of the Association, including Meetings and Events, AJLI Programs and Special Initiatives, Information Technology, Merchandise, Fund Development and support for the AJLI Board of Directors.

Meetings & Conferences has overall responsibility for the planning, budgeting, implementation and evaluation of all AJLI conferences—covering all aspects of logistics.

The Information Technology area is headed by AJLI consultant and IT Director, who works on the development of AJLI’s member management platform and website development program, Member Essentials. The IT team provides technical support to Leagues in the use of AJLI’s member management, transfer, billing, and data services tools.

The League Programs & Initiatives area is responsible for providing thought leadership, training, resources and consulting on every aspect of community impact, which is central to our Mission. The Community Impact program provides training at AJLI’s conferences and online, creates communities and networks for Leagues, develops external partnerships with organizations that share our Mission and impact areas and provides expertise externally.

Finance & Accounting #

The Director of Finance & Accounting serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, assisting in determining the long-term strategic and financial direction of the organization and providing critical support to the organization through management of core areas of the business on a day-to-day basis.

League Services & Sustainability #

The Vice President of League Services & Sustainability oversees the League Services Team. The Team collaborates with the Junior Leagues to inform and execute strategies resulting in long term sustainable health and growth for Junior Leagues. The Vice President for League Services & Sustainability oversees a team of League Success Managers in building strong relationships with Leagues and in using data-driven insights to drive organizational success.

League Success Managers serve as a liaisons, ambassadors, and resources to individual Leagues by providing tailored technical support in all areas of League operations, including recruitment and retention strategies, leadership transitions, and organizational best practices. League Success Managers will provide training and workshops and other opportunities to convene groups of Leagues and will provide customized consultative services and develop specific targeted initiatives to further sustainability and growth.

League Growth, Learning & Engagement #

The Vice President for League Growth, Learning & Engagement will help Leagues create new pathways for membership growth, as well as provide support in the areas of DEIB oversight, and belonging and engagement work. The League Growth, Learning & Engagement Team is responsible for creating a curriculum that facilitates professional development, leadership development, and continuous learning for Junior League Members everywhere.

The Team is also responsible for helping Leagues develop programs for consistent education of new League Members across the movement, as well as the general oversight of AJLI projects focused on learning and knowledge, such as the Resource Library and the Learning Portal.

The Team oversees the implementation of a long-term strategy for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging across the Association. The Team develops effective learning opportunities on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, including individual presentations for Leagues.

Marketing & Communications #

The Vice President of Marketing & Communications provides critical senior leadership in developing and maintaining a relevant and meaningful Junior League brand. The Team is responsible for all internal and external communications, including the look of the Association website; the Association’s engagement on social networks; publications, videos and other media; and the development of speeches and scripts. The Team also oversees publications from other departments to ensure a consistent brand image. In addition, it coordinates our public relations activities and contacts with the media.    

Fund Development #

The Fund Development Team is responsible for raising philanthropic support for the Association from individuals, corporations and foundations. The Team plans and executes sponsorships with partner organizations and oversees League and individual Member benefits.

Governance #

The Board & Governance area is under the AJLI Operations Team and is responsible for supporting the work of the Board of Directors and the Association’s Governance Committee. This area’s portfolio includes supporting and participating in all Board and Governance Committee online and physical meetings, coordinating travel and siting elements of the meetings, staffing a Governance office at specific meetings, developing resources and tools for the Board and Governance Committee, maintaining all Governance documents and records, interfacing with AJLI’s parliamentarian, and special projects as they occur.

The Head of Governance provides guidance and direct support to the Board of Directors and Governance Committee and will lead a new initiative within the Board and AJLI Staff to revive the advocacy work of the Leagues and the Association.