Kathryn Grant, President
Kathryn Grant has been a member of the Junior League since 2002. Kathryn completed her provisional year and first active year in Palo Alto, CA where she was Co-Chair of the Breakfast at Tiffany's for the Annual Holiday Boutique.
After transferring to the JLOCC, Kathryn became Chair of the Outreach and Recruitment Committee, followed by Chair of the YMCA Project. Kathryn has served on the JLOCC Board of Directors for three years as the Training Director, Communications Director, and President-Elect.
Kathryn has a Bachelor of Arts from UC Berkeley and has spent her career in the Aesthetic/Cosmetic industry. Kathryn is the Senior Director of Professional Marketing for Thermage, a leading equipment manufacturer in the aesthetic industry. In her free time Kathryn enjoys reading, spending time with friends, traveling, trying new restaurants and spending time with her pets. Kathryn and her husband Robert reside in Laguna Beach.
Valerie Hannah, Vice President
Valerie Hannah has been a member of the Junior League since 2006. Valerie completed her provisional year and first active year in San Francisco, CA. During her time in the Bay Area she participated in a number of committees including: Training and Development, Placement/Transfers/HUGS and Co-Chair of the Provisional Class.
After transferring to the JLOCC, Valerie helped to write the current Strategic Plan and worked on the Program and Arrangements committee. Valerie is currently serving as the Vice President of the JLOCC.
Valerie has a Bachelor of Arts from San Francisco State University and is currently a full-time graduate student at California State University, Fullerton; majoring in Education with an emphasis in Reading. As a native of Orange County, Valerie loves to spend time at the beach, reading, wine tasting and traveling. Valerie, and her husband Jeremy, reside in Anaheim Hills.
Carla Dillon, Secretary
Carla joined the JLOCC in 2002 and is currently serving as the Secretary. Her past placements include Treasurer/Finance Director, Treasurer Elect, Funding Outreach Chair, Website Editor, Community Grants & Scholarship Committee, Nominating Committee, The Christmas Company Operations Committee, Fund Development Ad Hoc Committee, and the Board of Excellence Committee. Originally joining JLOCC to give back to the community, Carla found that and much more in the organization through its training and development approach. In her capacity as Secretary, Carla hopes to advance the JLOCC Board record-keeping methods.
Carla is an Orange County native and currently resides in Costa Mesa with her husband Peter. Carla holds a BS in Environmental Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, an MS in Civil Engineering with a minor in Public Health from the
Dr. Sandra Thompson, Treasurer/Finance Director
Sandra joined the JLOCC in 2004 with the goals of becoming more involved in the Orange County community and training to become a better volunteer and leader. Her prior placements in JLOCC include Chair-Elect and Chair of The Christmas Company, Spring Fundraiser Treasurer and Silent Auction Chair for The Christmas Company. These unique opportunities in JLOCC have provided a solid training foundation that she utilizes in the community, at work and at home.
She received her B.S. in 1990 as well as her M.A. in 1991 from the College of William & Mary, earned her J.D. in 1998 from Campbell University, Norman Wiggins School of Law, and received her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Department of Chemistry at North Carolina State University. As a doctoral candidate, Dr. Thompson worked at both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Research Triangle Institute in Research Triangle Park, NC. She is currently a shareholder with Buchalter Nemer in Irvine where she chairs the Intellectual Property group and practices patent and trademark law. She is also the Chair of the Orange County Section of the American Chemical Society.
In her free time, Sandra is training for the 2009 Long Beach Half-Marathon and the 2010 OC Marathon. She enjoys spending time with her husband Jock, reading, going to Angels games, reviewing and writing about green technologies, and listening to music.
Shiao-Wen Huang, Communications Director
Shiao-Wen first joined the Junior League of Pasadena before transferring to the JLOCC after her provisional year. Since joining the JLOCC, Shiao-Wen has served on the YMCA Project, Outreach and Recruitment, Web Site and OCBF Higher Education Project. She joined the JLOCC to be more involved in the Orange County community and to challenge herself to become a better volunteer and leader. Shiao-Wen is looking forward to a rewarding year as Communications Director.
Shiao-Wen has a B.A. and J.D. from UCLA. She currently works as a civil litigation attorney with a focus on education law. In her spare time, Shiao-Wen enjoys being outdoors, laughing and playing softball.
Sarah Dressler, Community Director
Sarah first joined the Junior League of Portland, Maine in 2005. Following her provisional year, Sarah transferred out to the JLOCC. Since joining the JLOCC, Sarah has served as Chair of the Casa Teresa Mentoring Committee, Vice President, and Outreach and Recruitment Chair. Sarah is very excited to be serving her first full year on the board as Community Director.
Sarah has a B.A. in History and American Studies from Colby College in Waterville, Maine and works for Amica Insurance in Costa Mesa as a Sales and Client Services Supervisor. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys playing kickball, dodgeball, beach football, and soccer.
Nicole Tardi, Fund Development Director
Nicole Tardi has been a part of the JLOCC since 2007. She joined to make an impact in our community and to meet and team with incredible women who share her goals. She has been the American Girl Chair Elect, Training Chair, and Fund Development Director Elect before assuming her current role on the board.
Nicole has a Bachelor of Arts from
Kristen Scheithauer, Membership Director
Kristin Scheithauer has been an Active member of the Junior League of Orange County, CA, Inc. for three years. Kristin’s past JLOCC placements include Provisional Chair, Board Assistant, and League Log Assistant Editor, in addition to the 2005-2006 provisional class’ “Shop the Block” membership appreciation event. An
Molly Jolly, Projects Director
Molly Jolly has been an Active member of the JLOCC since 2006. Prior to assuming her role as Projects Director on the 2009-2010 Board of Directors, she served as the Co-Chair of Business Support for the Christmas Company and participated on the Bridges to Higher Education and Grants and Scholarship Committees.
Molly is the Vice President of Finance/Administration for Angels Baseball LP where she oversees the financial and administration activities for the Angels baseball team. Molly holds a BA in Economics-Accounting from the College of the Holy Cross and an MBA from the
Karen Warren, Training Director
Karen Warren has been a member of the Junior League for nine years and is thrilled to be serving as the Training Director. She completed her new member year in St. Louis and spent seven years as a member of the Junior League of Houston. Prior to moving to Orange County, Karen served on the Junior League of Houston's Board of Directors as the Health & Well-Being Director in addition to several years of community placements. After transferring to the JLOCC in 2008, she was part of the 2008 Christmas Company Operations Committee.
Karen is honored to be part of an organization that not only allows her to have an impact on the community but also has given her invaluable opportunities for personal growth. She has found the Junior League to be unique in that it provides its volunteers with comprehensive, hands-on training and education focused on promoting leadership skills and addressing community issues.
An Illinois native, Karen received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Iowa and a M.B.A from the University of Dallas. She is a Project Manager for Fluor Corporation, having spent eight years with Fluor in both Houston and now Southern California. Karen and her husband, Chris, reside in Laguna Niguel with their two pugs, Beavis and Max. In her free time, Karen is learning to surf and enjoys all things ocean related.
Denise Scott, President-Elect
Denise joined the Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc. in 2003 and places a high value on the significant leadership training, opportunities, and lifelong friendships gained as a result of her experiences in the League. Past JLOCC roles include: Spring Fundraiser Assistant-at-Large, Publications Liaison, League Life Chair, Provisional Advisor, and Training Director on the 2008-2009 Board of Directors. Inspired by the Junior League's strong history of voluntarism, developing leaders, and positive community impact, Denise is extremely honored to serve as President-Elect. She will dedicate the year ahead to increasing her knowledge of the community, broadening her understanding of all aspects of the League, and further developing skills to support and enthuse the JLOCC’s incredible members. An Orange County native residing in Santa Ana, she presently works in marketing. Denise attended Indiana University, Bloomington, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications with double minors in Business and Communication & Culture.
Linda Ruben, Sustainer Advisor
Linda Ruben has been a member of the Junior League of Orange County, CA for nineteen years, twelve as an active member and seven as a sustaining member. As a first year active, Linda double-placed on the CAST committee and the Board of Directors as the Board Secretary. She joined the Junior League when she had her daughter and was looking for a way to give back to the community; friends highly recommended the Junior League as the best avenue to do that. Prior to becoming a mother, Linda was an Estate Planning, Trust and Probate paralegal.
Linda’s two favorite League placements were President (1999-2002) and Membership Director (1996-1997) because they both afforded her opportunities to interface extensively with the membership. She feels privileged to have served seven times on Junior League of Orange County Board of Directors and values the training and experience she gained from attending the Association of Junior League, Inc. conventions and trainings. Linda’s community volunteer service has included being President of the Friends of CASA-CAST, a member of the Executive Board of CASA, President of the Saddleback Valley Chapter of National Charity League, and a member of the National Board of Directors of National Charity League. She lives in Nellie Gail in Laguna Hills and is married to her husband Rich. They have one daughter, Lindsay, who just received her Masters Degree from USC. Linda’s interests include golfing, attending sporting events (especially USC sports), traveling and reading, and she treasures any time she can be with friends and family.
Andrea Poltorak, Board Assistant
Andrea is entering her second year as an active member of the Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc. During her first year she was a committee member on the Orangewood Foundation - Bridges to Higher Education project. Andrea joined the league to make a contribution to her community through an impactful organization and values the opportunities the JLOCC has provided in training, leadership, mentorship, and friendship. She is honored to be serving as Board Assistant and is looking forward to a year of learning and absorbing more knowledge along side inspiring women working together to better the community. Residing in Lake Forest, Andrea works in marketing and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor of Science in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. She enjoys sharing her love of traveling, dance, musicals, reading, the beach, and brunch with her boyfriend, family and friends.
