The Junior League of Bronxville's Annual Transition
Members of the JLB 2025-26 Board of Directors and Management Team. Left to Right - Elaine Harris-Whalen, Meredith Dixon, Amy Berg, Christina Provenzano, Victoria Thiessen, Kelly Shine, Gladys Girimonti (Photo by Narrative View Media.)
By Nadia Mondésir, VP of Communications, Bronxville Junior League
Sept. 24, 2025: The Junior League of Bronxville (JLB) is proud to have celebrated its 77th Year. As has been done for years, the ceremonial transition of leadership took place on May 29, 2025, with the passing of the gavel, and the JLB honored its impressive recipients of the Women of Distinction Awards.
Outgoing President Jamie Schwartz focused on developing leadership skills and empowering women by organizing presentations on overcoming daily challenges, building resilience, and reframing problems to find creative, effective solutions. In closing her successful year, she passed on the role to Kelly Shine.
As the JLB embarks on its new service year, we would like to recognize those members who contributed to a year of purposeful impact and remained committed to the JLB’s vision of “Mobilizing Women to Ignite & Inspire Community Change.”
The following women were selected as recipients of the League’s annual recognitions:
-Jennifer Carella, President’s Award
-Melanie O’Sullivan, Sustained Leadership Award
-Lindsay Johnson, Sustainer of the Year Award
-Elaine Harris-Whalen, First Year Active Award
Six members received B.E.M.T.Y. Awards. These awards' titles are rooted in the towns the JLB represents: Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe & Yonkers. The span of the League is great, but what is even more significant are the members that hail from these communities. Members could nominate a peer - someone they felt deserved recognition. The following women were the shining stars whom the League was lucky to count as their own in a year of celebration and new initiatives:
Claudia Flynn, The Trailblazing Team Player, has led our Membership Council with courage and creativity all while bringing fresh perspectives and fearless energy.
Taylor Gari, The Palm Paradise Powerhouse, who completely reimagined this year’s Bids to Benefit, infusing it with a bold and delightful theme that made every detail pop. She didn’t just meet her fundraising goals – she sailed past them with style, precision, and her signature positivity.
Heather Scholes, The Calm Behind the Calculations as our Finance & Data Vice President, keeps the wheels turning and the numbers right. For the last two years, Heather has been the calm in the storm, the detail master, and the financial foundation of our League.
Liz Sheehan, The Brilliant Beacon received our first BEMTY Ovation Award for lighting up every room (and meeting) with joyful positivity and purpose.
Victoria Thiessen, The Editor-in-Chic was unstoppable in delivering creativity, consistency and connection to every newsletter ensuring that our members stayed informed and inspired. Always on time, always above and beyond, Victoria’s steady presence and eye for detail helped our message shine.
Diane Turner, The Hands-on Hero is the definition of “boots on the ground”. Diane shows us what true community impact looks like by rolling up her sleeves and showing up always, ready to work and always smiling.
After all these women have already accomplished, the JLB cannot wait to see what they contribute in the years to come!
A special highlight of the League’s year is the Board of Directors’ vote on eligibility for membership in the Provisional program. We are proud to recognize a meaningful milestone for several individuals who joined us through a fall recruitment event and successfully completed their Provisional training. Through their outreach, fundraising, and operational involvement, they demonstrated dedication and readiness for Active membership. These individuals were officially voted in at the Board of Directors’ Meeting this past January. Please join the JLB in congratulating its newest Active members: Diamond Clay, Amanda Darrach, Nora Djanev, Jessica Doolan, Amanda Gentile, Qi Gu, Caroline Harlin, Jennifer Lally, Shauna Llamas, Clare McGrath, T. Nicole Merritt, Lara Phillips, Sherri Stanley, Jillian Tamarazzo, Mellissa Villalba, and Christa Youngerman.
Finally, a true definition of dedication is that a JLB member must serve at least seven years of Active service before the League allows its members to move into Sustainer status - something more akin to an alumnae status at a college or university. The JLB was honored to induct the following six new Sustainers effective July 1, 2025: Jennifer Carella, Angelina Lewis, Melanie O’Sullivan, Jamie Powell Schwartz, Grace Smith, and Kristin Smith.
These women were pivotal to the League’s success during their Active years and will undoubtedly make their mark in the larger community in the years to come.
After the Annual Meeting, the JLB closed the fiscal and League year on June 30. As the calendar turned to July 1, the League welcomed the newest leader slate. According to incoming 2025-26 President Kelly Shine, “This leadership team is an incredible group of women who bring a thoughtful mix of experience, energy, and fresh ideas. Their leadership will strengthen the Junior League of Bronxville’s commitment to making meaningful and lasting contributions throughout our community.
The members of the 2025-2026 Board of Directors are:
Kelly Shine, President
Victoria Thiessen, President-Elect
Christina Provenzano, Executive Vice President
Amy Berg, Board Secretary
Beth Atsalis, Treasurer
Jinja Cuevas, Nominating Chair
Susan Gordon, Sustainer Chair
The members of the 2025-2026 Management Team are:
Christina Provenzano, Executive Vice President
Nadia Mondésir, Communications VP
Meredith Dixon, Community Outreach VP
Caitie Clarke, Finance & Data VP
Elaine Harris-Whalen, Fundraising VP
Gladys Girimonti, Membership VP
If you are a female resident of or work in Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, or Yonkers, you are welcome to join the JLB at a free and open-to-all-women informational recruitment event on October 7 in Bronxville. Whether you continue after that or just have a night out with potential new contacts, it is worth an evening’s investment of your time. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.JLBronxville.org if you have any questions.
The Junior League of Bronxville, New York, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Please visit JLBronxville.org to learn more about the 501(c)(3) organization.
Community Service Organizations Directory
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
Click here to learn more
Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.m or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information
Bronxville Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school.
The mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
CLICK HERE to learn more.
LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
Bronxville Women's Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library's regular budget and perform other services.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”
Community Service Organizations Recent Articles
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