This year’s event carried special significance as we marked JLOEB’s 90th Anniversary Year.

For 90 years, the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay has advanced women’s leadership through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. That legacy lives on in our members, our community partners, and the organizations we have supported throughout the East Bay.

As we honored the accomplishments of the 2025–2026 League Year, we also looked ahead to the future and the next generation of leaders who will continue to carry our mission forward.

May Celebration Highlights

Outgoing President Trish Sagare shared reflections on the accomplishments of the 2025–2026 League Year and her two years as League President as well as expressed gratitude for the members whose dedication made those achievements possible.

Committee leaders provided highlights from across the organization, showcasing the many ways members contributed through community impact projects, fundraising efforts, membership engagement, leadership development, and volunteer service.

One of the most meaningful moments of the afternoon was hearing from our 2025–2026 Community Enrichment Fund grant recipients, A Safe Place and Teen Advocacy Going Strong (TAGS). Representatives from each organization shared their missions and the impact these grants will have on the women, youth, and families they serve throughout our community.

We also held our second annual 90 Club Raffle, recognizing members who earned more than 90 engagement points through service, leadership, training, and participation throughout the League Year. Congratulations to all of our 90 Club members for their remarkable commitment to JLOEB.

Special recognition goes to Julia Alvarez, who led the League with an impressive 208 points earned during the year.

Welcoming Our Newest Active Members

A special congratulations to our newest Active members, who successfully completed their New Member year and officially joined the Active membership ranks of JLOEB.

We are excited to see the leadership, talents, and perspectives these members will bring to the League in the years ahead.

New Active Members

• Katherine Alfaro
• Kaitlin Bellamy
• Raphaella Bronson
• Courteney Coleman
• Amalia Cunningham
• Athena Eng
• Kemi Kantor
• Hillary Kaplan
• Michelle Leporini
• Lauren Michels
• Robyn Naragon
• Beth Trivedi
• Juliana Valencia
• Carolina Vargas

Transfer Members

• Nadia Butcher
• Mandi Muse

2026 League Award Recipients

New Member of the Year: Katherine Alfaro

Recognized for her exceptional dedication during her first year in the League. Katherine stepped into significant responsibilities, embraced opportunities to serve, and made an immediate impact through her leadership and commitment.

Rising Star Award: Giovanna Giusti

Honored for her enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment to creating a positive member experience. Giovanna’s leadership and passion for bringing members together have already made a meaningful difference within the League.

Heart of the League: Kristen Nailor

Honored for the countless ways she shows up for JLOEB and its members. Kristen is known for her kindness, generosity, and willingness to lend a hand wherever needed. From hosting gatherings to supporting fellow members and volunteering her time without hesitation, she exemplifies the welcoming and supportive spirit that makes the League so special. We are grateful for all the ways she helps our community thrive.

Wonder Woman Award (President’s Award): Candace Barlow

Recognized for her extraordinary dedication, leadership, and support of the League. While balancing school, work, family responsibilities, and League service, Candace consistently showed up for JLOEB and exemplified the spirit of servant leadership.

Celebrating Leadership and Service

In addition to recognizing our award recipients, we celebrated our outgoing Board of Directors, welcomed incoming leaders, and acknowledged the many members whose contributions helped make the 2025–2026 League Year a success.

The strength of JLOEB has always come from women who step forward to lead, volunteer, mentor, organize, host, and support one another. Every event planned, community partnership strengthened, committee meeting attended, and volunteer hour served contributes to the impact we make together.

Looking Ahead

As we conclude our 90th Anniversary Year, we do so with gratitude for the generations of members who built this organization and excitement for the future we will build together.

To every member who volunteered, served, led, supported, donated, attended, and participated this year: thank you.

And if you’ve been thinking about getting involved, there’s never been a better time to join us.

Applications for the 2026–2027 League Year are now open. Whether you’re looking to develop leadership skills, serve your community, build lasting friendships, or make a meaningful impact in the East Bay, there’s a place for you at JLOEB.

Learn more about membership at jloeb.org/join.

Here’s to the next chapter of service, leadership, and impact.

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The Junior League of Oakland-East Bay (JLOEB) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025–2026 Community Enrichment Fund (CEF) grants: A Safe Place and Teen Advocacy Going Strong (TAGS).

Each year, JLOEB’s Community Enrichment Fund provides grants to nonprofit and community organizations serving Alameda and Contra Costa Counties whose work aligns with our mission of advancing women’s leadership and improving the lives of women and children in the East Bay.

Grant recipients were recognized during JLOEB’s May 3, 2026 May Celebration following a thoughtful review and selection process led by the 2025–2026 CEF Committee.

A Safe Place

A Safe Place provides a wide range of services focused on addressing and preventing domestic violence, including emergency shelter, legal advocacy, mental health services, prevention education, and community training programs.

Grant funding from JLOEB will support the organization’s legal services program, helping women access free or low-cost assistance with urgent legal matters such as protective orders, child custody, immigration, employment, and housing issues.

A Safe Place is currently the only shelter serving both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties that provides legal assistance as part of its services.

Learn more at asafeplace.org

Teen Advocacy Going Strong (TAGS)

Teen Advocacy Going Strong (TAGS) empowers women and girls through creative expression, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities designed to increase confidence and create pathways for future success.

Youth participants engage in hands-on creative workshops including pottery, fashion design, and other artistic programs, while also gaining real-world work experience through TAGS’ community thrift shop and traveling Maker’s Markets.

JLOEB grant funding will help support future creative workshops by covering supplies, instructor support, and related program expenses.

Learn more at teenadvocacy.org

We are honored to support these organizations and their ongoing work to uplift women, girls, and families throughout the East Bay community.

Thank you to the 2025–2026 Community Enrichment Fund Committee for their dedication and leadership throughout this year’s grant process: Julia Alvarez and Sarah Velen (Committee Co-Leads), Thelma Andree, Angela Craven, Amalia Cunningham, Kristen Nailor, and Zeenna Stapper.

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On October 5, 2025 the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay hosted a special 90th Anniversary Luncheon to honor nine decades of leadership, volunteerism, and community impact. The event brought together active members, new members, sustainers, and alumni for an afternoon of connection and celebration.

The luncheon took place at the Berkeley City Club, an architectural landmark known as The Little Castle. Designed by pioneering architect Julia Morgan, the first licensed woman architect in California who went on to design almost 100 women’s-organizations buildings throughout her career, the venue offered an inspiring setting to honor an organization dedicated to developing women leaders and strengthening the East Bay community.

The program featured:

• Special remarks from past JLOB and AJLI President Maridel Moulton

• A celebratory champagne toast

• A delicious luncheon menu

• Raffle prizes, with proceeds supporting League programs

• Time for members to reconnect and reflect on the League’s history

Since 1935, the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay has invested in leadership training, community partnerships, and service initiatives that support families and strengthen the East Bay. The 90th Anniversary Luncheon was not only a tribute to this legacy but also an opportunity to look forward to the next 90 years of impact.

Support the Next 90 Years

As we celebrate this milestone year, we invite you to join us in building the future of the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay.

Your support of the 90 Years Campaign helps fund leadership development, community programming, and innovative projects that will shape our next chapter.

? Donate to the 90 Years Campaign

90 Years of JLOEB, Video

Event Photos

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Welcoming Our 2025–2026 New Member Class

This summer, our New Member Committee hosted information sessions virtually and in communities across the East Bay—including Alameda, San Ramon, Berkeley, and Lafayette—to connect with prospective members. Thanks to their dedication, we are proud to welcome 20 New Members and 2 Transfer Members to our League family.

Special thanks to our New Member Committee—Caroline Boyson, Khushnuma Driver, Semuteh Freeman, Giovanna Giusti, Madelyn Minchen, Shannon Pegnim, Taylor Radke, and Meghan Stader—for their outstanding work of welcoming our next generation of leaders.

On Sunday, September 7, we hosted our annual New Member and Transfer Orientation in Orinda, CA. This event introduced members to JLOEB’s mission, history, and committees while giving them a chance to connect with each other as they begin their Provisional year.

2025–2026 New Member Class:
Katherine Alfaro • Peggy Badii • Faith Blankenship • Raphaella Bronson • Courteney Coleman • Amalia Cunningham • Kaitlin Finch • Camille Harvey • Sarah Herzog • Laura Hickey • Hillary Kaplan • Michelle Leporini • Joan Lim • Lauren Michels • Robyn Naragon • Zeenna Stapper • Beth Trivedi • Juliana Valencia • Carolina Vargas • Laura Wagstaff

New Transfers:
Nadia Butcher • Ashley Morgan

A Powerful Start to Our 90th Anniversary Year

Later that week, JLOEB gathered in Lafayette for our first General Membership Meeting (GMM) of the year on Tuesday, September 9th. Together, we launched our 90th Anniversary theme: “ELEVATE: Empower. Equip. Engage.” This theme honors our nine decades of women’s leadership and community service while setting the stage for the future.

• Empower: Women to lead with confidence.

• Equip: Our members with the training and tools to make a lasting impact.

• Engage: With our community partners and each other with purpose and heart.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the East Bay, we once again hosted a menstrual supply drive benefiting our community partner Grace Period, continuing our tradition of pairing each GMM with a service initiative.

Upcoming Events You Won’t Want to Miss

We’re celebrating this milestone year with special events that bring together members, partners, and the wider East Bay community:

• ? 90th Anniversary Luncheon – Sunday, October 5 at 11:30 AM, Berkeley City Club. Tickets still available.

• ? Truck or Treat Fundraiser – Saturday, October 25 at Bay Street Emeryville. Our family-friendly Halloween event returns bigger than ever.

Join Us in Making an Impact

We are proud to celebrate 90 years of advancing women’s leadership and creating lasting community change in the Oakland-East Bay. If you’re interested in joining us, stay connected by adding your name to our New Member Interest Form. We’ll notify you when recruitment opens again.

Here’s to another year of empowering women and building a stronger East Bay together!

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Each spring, the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay gathers for our annual May Celebration—a joyful evening to reflect on a year of service and recognize outstanding members who have gone above and beyond in leadership and impact.

This year’s event was especially meaningful as we closed out the League Year and looked ahead to a major milestone—our 90th Anniversary Year, launching on June 1, 2025.

Interested in joining us? Whether you’re passionate about giving back, growing your leadership skills, or connecting with like-minded women, we invite you to learn more about becoming a member at oakland.jl.org/join.

May Celebration 2025 Highlights

League President Trish Sagare opened the evening with reflections on the League’s achievements and her excitement for continuing leadership into the upcoming year.

Each Vice President presented committee highlights, showcasing progress in community impact, fundraising, membership, training, and communications.

We also heard from Past President AnnaAlia Young, who shared her vision for a new initiative: the Sunshine Committee. Designed to celebrate and support JLOEB members in meaningful and thoughtful ways, the Sunshine Committee will focus on member care, recognition, and connection throughout the League Year.

We were honored to hear from our 2024–2025 Community Enrichment Fund grantees—SHELTER, Inc. and Oakland Elizabeth House—who shared their missions and the impact of our support on women and families in the East Bay.

We also held our brand new 90 Club Raffle, awarded to a member who has earned more than 90 points through engagement and service this year. Congratulations to Julia Alvarez for being our winner and, coincidentally, being the member with the most hours of service in the 2024–2025 League Year.

2025 League Award Recipients

New Member of the Year
Julia Alvarez
Celebrated for her consistent leadership, dedication, and engagement throughout her provisional year.

Rising Star
Lillian Quackenbush
Recognized for her initiative and emerging leadership as a first-year Active.

Heart of the League
Kim Sanguinetti
Honored for her warmth, reliability, and positive presence on her committee.

Wonder Woman (President’s Award)
Marisa Melo
Recognized by the League President for her extraordinary commitment, support, and leadership across the organization.

Committee Superstars
Awarded to members who made exceptional contributions to their teams:

• Fund Development Committee: Kim Sanguinetti

• Marketing & Communications Committee: Kimberly Carfi

• Membership Committee: Alex Sborov

• New Member Committee: Taylor Radke

• Community Impact & Training Committees: A well-deserved collective recognition

A Night to Remember

Huge thanks to Marisa Melo for coordinating this beautiful event, and to Grand Lake Kitchen – Dimond for hosting us. Members enjoyed a delicious meal of salad, fried chicken, mushroom risotto, crispy potatoes, and signature cocktails in a festive and welcoming setting.

Join Us for Our 90th Year

The 2025–2026 League Year marks the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay’s 90th Anniversary—a celebration of nearly a century of training women leaders and making a difference in our communities.

If you’re ready to serve, lead, and grow, there’s a place for you in JLOEB.
Learn more about membership at oakland.jl.org/join

Let’s build the next chapter—together.

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The Junior League of Oakland-East Bay’s Community Enrichment Fund (CEF) helps support the vital work of nonprofit and community organizations across Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Each year, we fund projects that strengthen our communities and align with JLOEB’s mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the lives of women and children.

After a thoughtful review process led by our 2025 CEF Grant Committee—Julia Alvarez, Angela Craven, Megan Shapanka, and Sarah Velen—we are proud to announce the 2024–2025 Community Enrichment Fund recipients:

SHELTER, Inc.

SHELTER, Inc. rebuilds lives one family at a time by helping them re-establish a home and assisting with the skills and resources needed to live the life they deserve. Wrap-around services are essential components of long-lasting solutions. Affordability is only one factor that results in someone becoming homeless. Education, training, counseling and goal planning are vital to the success of regaining and maintaining a home.
Learn more at shelterinc.org

Oakland Elizabeth House

Established in 1991, Oakland Elizabeth House (Ehouse) is a transitional residential program for women with children who have experienced homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, or poverty. Ehouse is a nurturing, cooperative living environment that provides resources, hospitality, and respect. Ehouse is one of only three facilities in Oakland that provides transitional housing to women and their children.
Learn more at oakehouse.org

We are honored to partner with these organizations as they continue to uplift and empower women and families in the East Bay. Thank you again to our 2025 CEF Committee for their leadership and dedication!

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We welcomed more than 800 attendees to Balestrieri Family Farm for an afternoon filled with family fun, hands-on learning, and community connection. Thanks to the generosity of our guests, sponsors, and volunteers, we raised over $20,000 to support our Community Enrichment Fund, which provides grants to local nonprofits serving women and children throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Touch a Truck 2025 Event Highlights

• ? 10 incredible vehicles for kids (and grown-ups!) to explore

• Sunshine and smiles, despite a week of looming rain

• ? 100+ bouncy house jumps (yes, we counted!)

• ? 50+ dedicated volunteers

• ? Raffle prizes from amazing local businesses

• ? Delicious eats from food trucks and vendors

Touch a Truck continues to be one of the East Bay’s favorite family-friendly fundraising events, bringing together community members, first responders, and local organizations for a day that’s both impactful and fun.

Thank You to Our Touch a Truck 2025 Sponsors

Our vehicle partners, including

Balestrieri Family Farm, Contra Costa Fire Protection District, Jet 65 Traveling Beauty, Royal Ambulance, Teohn Conner’s Hot Wheels Hot Rod, Tesla Cybertruck, Walnut Creek Public Works

Our raffle donors, including

Alameda County Fair, Arthur Mac’s, Boichik Bagels, Bold Studios, Candace Barlow, Camp Galileo, Children’s Fairyland, Claremont Resort & Spa, Encore Gym, GameOn Berkeley, Gymboree Play & Music, Janel Wellborn, Jumpity Bumpity, Left Coast Power Yoga, Le Blanc Label, Lisa Parker / Sustainers, Pump It Up, ReCHIC, Shake Shack, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Sonder Beauty Studio, Ultimate Sports Connection, Urban Air, Woodhouse Spa, Yoshi’s Oakland

Our food truck friends:

Kona Ice, La Roca, Bay Area Munchiez

In Kind Donors:

Balestrieri Family Farm, Chevron, Pacific Printing, Republic Services

We couldn’t have done it without the hard work of our Touch a Truck Planning Committee and the incredible support from our community. Your participation helps us invest in local change and advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact.

From the bottom of our hearts—thank you!

—The Touch a Truck 2025 Committee, Junior League of Oakland-East Bay

Touch a Truck 2025 Planning Committee:

Janel Wellborn, Chair, Kim Sanguinetti, Alena Le Blanc, Stacy Mellish, Lorena Delgado, Stephanie Stone, Shannon Pegnim, Giovanna Giusti, Khushnuma Driver

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We’re proud to share that Janel Wellborn, a longtime member and current sustainer of the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay (JLOEB), has been named to The Association of Junior Leagues International’s (AJLI) inaugural 40 Over 40 Awards list!

This exciting new recognition honors 40 outstanding Junior League members over the age of 40 who exemplify leadership, empowerment, and meaningful community impact. Janel is being recognized alongside leaders from Leagues across six countries for her extraordinary service and accomplishments. She’ll be celebrated during the AJLI Annual Conference in Orlando on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

“Janel is a dynamic dependable force. She has been the driving force for our Touch a Truck events for the last 2 years. Janel’s connections, drive, and organization are invaluable to Junior League of Oakland-East Bay.”

• Trish Sagare, JLOEB President, 2024–2025

Meet Janel Wellborn

Janel has been involved with JLOEB for over 14 years and currently serves as the chair of our beloved Touch a Truck event. She’s a force of nature—not just within our League, but across the many communities she serves.

Here are just a few of her incredible roles:

• Founder of Peerless Partners, a consulting firm
• CEO of TryThisFirst, a health and wellness startup
• Professor at UC Berkeley, teaching graduate engineering students
• PhD candidate at Harvard in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• CASA volunteer, advocating for foster youth
• President of the Berkeley Athletic Fund
• Manager of two high school and club soccer teams

And she still finds time to hike with friends and dogs, read in a hammock, and enjoy her favorite restaurant, Via del Corso in Berkeley (her version of “Cheers”).

In her own words:

“My favorite part of being in the League is being surrounded by others who are passionate about investing in their communities, as well as the opportunity to mentor high-functioning, driven, passionate, intelligent, compassionate young women leaders!”

About the 40 Over 40 Awards

AJLI’s new award recognizes women who are shaping their communities through innovation, service, and leadership. Honorees are selected based on:

• Empowerment – uplifting others through impactful work
• Leadership – innovating and driving change
• Community Impact – creating lasting, positive change in their communities

Join Us in Celebrating Janel

Janel’s recognition shines a national spotlight on the incredible work being done right here in the East Bay. We are so proud to have her as a leader and mentor in our League.

Want to make an impact like Janel? Learn more about joining JLOEB and become part of a community of passionate women changing the world—one volunteer project at a time.

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This past November, the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay (JLOEB) partnered with Emeryville’s Tipsy Putt for a month-long Sunday FUNDday fundraiser event series. Every Sunday, community members enjoyed mini golf, drinks, and giving back. For each beer poured and each round of mini golf played, Tipsy Putt donated $1 to support JLOEB’s mission. Together, we raised over $1,000 to help advance women’s leadership and create meaningful community impact in the East Bay.

Supporting Local Communities with Fun and Philanthropy

Tipsy Putt, a local indoor mini golf venue, created Sunday FUNDday to give back to nonprofits by donating proceeds from sales. This November, JLOEB was honored to be selected as their charity partner.

Every Sunday, guests:

• Played mini golf with friends
• Enjoyed local craft beers, wine, and cocktails
• Learned about JLOEB’s mission to support women and families

Tipsy Putt’s generosity aligns with JLOEB’s mission to empower women leaders and create a better future for individuals experiencing homelessness. Their support made it possible to extend our reach and continue our work.

Where the Funds Go

The $1,035 raised during Sunday FUNDday supports JLOEB’s Annual Fund, enabling us to:

• Provide training for women leaders
• Fund programs that assist women, children, and gender-expansive individuals facing homelessness
• Continue a legacy of over 7 million volunteer hours and $3 million in grants since 1935

By coming together for mini golf and drinks, participants became part of a movement to uplift the East Bay community.

Thank You to Tipsy Putt and Our Supporters

We are deeply grateful to Tipsy Putt and everyone who joined us for Sunday FUNDday. Your support helps JLOEB create lasting change and equips Bay Area women with the skills to lead and serve their communities.

Missed Sunday FUNDday? There are always opportunities to support JLOEB. Learn how you can get involved.

You can make a gift to support our work today.

About the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay (JLOEB):
JLOEB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Since 1935, we have been empowering women and creating positive change in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. For more information, visit jloeb.org.

About Tipsy Putt:
Tipsy Putt is a local venue offering indoor mini golf and craft drinks. Committed to supporting local businesses and nonprofits, Tipsy Putt regularly hosts community-focused events like Sunday FUNDday. Learn more at tipsyputt.com

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Imagine working in the food industry and getting your period at work but not having the funds to purchase menstrual products – not pads, tampons, or a cup.

Imagine being a single mother who can’t find steady work and has trouble housing and feeding your kids. Imagine those challenges being compounded because you can’t afford menstrual products once a month.

For many women in Oakland, this is the reality. Grace Period is dedicated to ending all period poverty in our community. Trinity Balla and Edinna Obaseki founded the organization as teens living in East Oakland because they shared a deeply rooted belief in period equity, equality, and advocacy. Grace Period’s primary focus revolves around distributing over 100 menstrual hygiene care packages per month to individuals facing immediate and urgent needs.

At the last General Membership Meeting in September, JLOEB compassionately and positively impacted our community by conducting a supply drive for Grace Period. Almost 40 members donated during the drive for products to be given to Grace Period. These menstrual supplies will be shared directly with women whose lives are affected by period poverty.

If you’d like to get involved with Grace Period you can donate, volunteer, or promote their work. Learn more here.

Grace Period’s mission to provide unhoused and disadvantaged Bay Area women access to menstrual products through direct distribution and partnerships with shelters and programs in our area aligns with our focus area as a League. JLOEB supports championing dignity and equality for all women.

The Junior League of Oakland-East Bay (JLOEB) is a nonprofit organization of women committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Our focus is on developing the potential of women while supporting organizations that assist women, children, and gender-expansive individuals experiencing homelessness in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Since 1935, JLOEB has contributed over 7 million volunteer hours and awarded more than $3 million in grants to support the East Bay community. By empowering women and providing valuable leadership training, we equip Bay Area women with the skills and opportunities to make a lasting, positive impact in their communities. To learn more about our mission and how to get involved, visit us at jloeb.org/join

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