2021-2022 Leadership
2021-2022 Board of Directors
President: Tara J. Mosely
Tara J. Mosley holds a Bachelor of Science from Wilberforce University and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. Currently working at ChaseDesign as an Account Director, Tara has had a long career in the consumer goods industry. Previous organizations have included the Kroger Company where she led merchandising for the Small Format division, focused on launching new store formats & partnerships nationwide, and strategic planning & trade/brand marketing roles at Spectrum Brands and Procter & Gamble. Tara has prided herself on using her understanding of consumer behaviors and brand awareness to create effective marketing and merchandising plans to benefit some of the nation’s top brands and retailers. Tara is very involved in her community and works with several organizations in the Cincinnati, Ohio region. Tara joined JLC in 2012 and has served as vice chair and chair of the New Members and Nominating committees, worked as a sponsor for new applicants, and most recently served as co-VP of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. She serves as a speaker, mentor, and job coach with Dress for Success Cincinnati’s Professional Women’s Group and is a Portaluca (the retail branch of Dress for Success) board member. She is a mentor in Public Allies’ mentoring program, and a member of NEW (Network of Executive Women).
President Elect: Kate Fortlage
Kate Fortlage has professional experience in B2B and B2B marketing, innovation and general management. She is a Senior Director of Marketing at Sur-Seal. Her prior role was at Formica Corporation as the Director of Strategy and Innovation, where she reported directly to the president as the acting General Manager of a new technology division. She also spent several years at Kao USA as a Brand Manager in the consumer packaged goods industry. She received her B.A. from Bowling Green State University and her MBA from the University of Dayton.
Kate joined the Junior League of Dayton in 2000 and transferred to the JLC in 2006 when she relocated after graduate school to start her brand management career. She has served on every JL Council and has been a leader on all Councils but one (New Member Vice Chair and Chair, Social Vice Chair and Chair, Nominating Committee Vice Chair and Chair). She has 7+ years of JLC Board experience. Kate also serves on the Board of Directors for Keep Cincinnati Beautiful.
Outside of her profession and volunteer work, Kate enjoys traveling internationally, scuba diving, boating, and trying new restaurants (you can find her on Yelp frequently) or recipes at home.
Legal Advisor: Sarah Houseman
Sarah Houseman is a Cincinnati attorney licensed in both Ohio and Kentucky. A Northern Kentucky native, Sarah is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where she received both her undergraduate and legal degrees. She currently practices at the law firm of Barron, Peck, Bennie & Schlemmer, located in Oakley. Her practice is focused primarily in the areas of general civil and commercial litigation, small businesses advising, contract drafting and review, and estate planning and litigation.
Sarah joined the Junior League of Cincinnati in 2016 in order to engage with other professional, like-minded women and become more active in the community that she calls home. In addition to her legal practice, Sarah stays active by playing golf, sand volleyball, and spending time with her rescue dog, Sawyer. She is an avid sports fan and loves to travel – even spending an entire summer in Cape Town, South Africa where she interned at the Black Sash National Headquarters. Outside of Junior League, Sarah serves on the board of directors for the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky and is a member of the Charities Guild of Northern Kentucky.
Treasurer: Allison Smith
Allison Smith works as a Director of Contract Strategy in the Strategic Customer Group at Johnson & Johnson. She is responsible for go to market contract strategies and effectiveness for Ethicon Inc. She graduated from Miami University in 2009 with a BA in accountancy.
Allison joined the Junior League of Cincinnati in 2015 and has served the organization through a variety of roles including Chair and Vice Chair of Leadership Development and on the Program Acceleration committee.
As a Cincinnati native, Allison has a long history of volunteerism in the Cincinnati community with a passion around ensuring everyone feels welcome in the city. She resides in Terrace Park with her husband, Ian, their daughters, Eliza and Campbell and two border collies, Mic and Ryn. In her spare time outside of work and family, Allison enjoys sheep herding with her dogs, traveling and taking advantage of the Cincinnati culinary scene.
Strategic Planning Director: Katie May
Katie May works as an initiative leader for the baby care division of Procter and Gamble. In her work she helps draft and deliver the strategic vision of innovation od Pampers. Through her P&G career she has held various roles, including Pampers wipes senior supply network leader and supply chain manager on P&G’s Dollar General account. She has also led multiple P&G United Way campaigns. She studied industrial engineering at Penn State and pursued a minor in leadership development.
Katie has held various leadership assignments in Leagues in Cincinnati, Wilmington, and Nashville since joining JL in 2015. Some of the most notable were the Advocacy and Education Chair of the JLC, Nominating Chair, and Kitchen Tour Vice Chair of the JLW. Katie’s favorite League experience was leading a task force to complete a community landscape assessment to identify the JLW’s new focus area, period equity, and creating their signature project, Stand Up. Period. from the ground up.
Katie grew up in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and has lived all over with her husband, Sam and their dog, Bella. They now love living in the Hyde Park community of Cincinnati. In her free time, Katie enjoys riding her Peloton, watching reality tv, drinking craft beer, and wine tasting. She is even a certified Sommelier III!
Past President: Sarah E. Rieger
Sarah E. Rieger is currently the Executive Director of Brookdale Senior Living. After receiving a B.A. in Organizational Communication from Miami University, Sarah moved to Chicago and worked in sales before finding her true passion of working with older adults. Sarah was a new member of the Junior League of Chicago and transferred to Cincinnati in 2010. Sarah is a graduate of C-Change Class 8. She was also a participant in the inaugural class of The Shift, a social innovation challenge with the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. After completing The Shift, along with her co-founder, Sarah launched Community Grandparents in Lower Price Hill. Community Grandparents fosters trusting relationships between low income parents and older adults to build support networks and create self-sufficiency. Sarah has also been an active volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association, Girls on the Run, working with women in transitional housing and the foster care system in Butler County.
During her time with the Cincinnati League, Sarah has served as the President, VP Training & Development, chaired both Membership Outreach & Events and New Members, along with working on the strategic plan, program development, Kids in the Kitchen and CinSation. She received the JLC’s Excellence in Training Award in 2016. She now serves as our Past President.
Presidential Advisor: J.J Wales
For the past 23 years,J.J Wales has been theExecutive Director of Neediest Kids of All, a non-profit that provides basic necessities for the Tri-State’s needy children. Over 15,000 children are served annually in 700 schools and Head Start sites.
J.J. learned the value of community service and importance of volunteering early on from her parents as both were active in giving back and J.J.’s mother was a member of the Junior League of Toledo, OH. After joining the Junior League of Cincinnati in 1977, J.J. served in leadership roles on the Admission Committee, Columbia Center Capital Campaign, Sustaining Advisor to the President and as President-Elect and President.
Outside of the JLC, J.J. is passionately involved in the College and Career Counseling at Sycamore High School, a Magic Circle volunteer with the Mental Health Association of Cincinnati, Knox Pre-School Board member and Chairman, PTO President at Woodford Primary School, March of Dimes Board member, United Way Board of Greater Cincinnati Board and campaign cabinet member, Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Board member and Chair, and Every Child Succeeds Board member and Chair. In addition, she served in the National Council of Kappa Kappa Gamma for 16 years, including National President and NPC Delegate.
After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio State University, J.J. was an educator in both Virginia and Ohio. She and her husband spend as much time as they can with their sons and their families, which include 5 granddaughters who bring constant joy.
At-Large Member: Sarah Clark
After to moving to Cincinnati in 2006 from Lexington, Kentucky, Sarah Clark has been an active member of the Cincinnati Community. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky and her Master’s of Business Administration from Xavier University. Sarah currently works as a Finance Manager at Ethicon, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, where she has been for 7 years. She shares her home with her husband Harrison and their French Bulldog, Belle.
At-Large Member: Judy Dalambakis
Judy Schneider Dalambakis has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Cincinnati. Her past work experience includes: Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Cincinnati, Director of Community Relations for Joseph Beth Booksellers, Columnist for the Cincinnati Post and a Columnist for Express Cincinnati.
Judy served as President for the Junior League of Cincinnati, President of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Chair of the Friends of the Cincinnati Art Museum and President of BRAVO of the Cincinnati Ballet.
She has served on numerous boards including the Alzheimer’s Association, Playhouse in the Park, Association of Volunteers for Children’s Convalescent Hospital, Friends of the Art Museum, UC Alumni Board of Governors, Civic Garden Center, Junior League of Cincinnati, Women Helping Women, Impact 100, and the UC Bicentennial Commission. She currently serves on The Christ Hospital Foundation Board, Cincinnati Ballet Board and the JLC Foundation Board.
Judy has chaired numerous fundraisers raising thousands of dollars for nonprofits including Cincinnati Zoo’s Zoofair, Cincinnati Art Museum, Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Junior League and the Alzheimer’s Association.
She has been recognized as a 2006 Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year, A Girl Scout Woman of Distinction, the University of Cincinnati’s Alumni Distinguished Service Award recipient, received the Junior League’s President’s Award and been honored as a UC Communication Alumni Champion.
At-Large Member: Shelley Poffenberger
Shelley Poffenberger has been a Cincinnati resident for the past 20 years and has been a member of the JLC since 2000.
Shelley has served various roles in the JLC including JLC President in 2010-2011, President Elect and Training and Development Chair, New Member Co Chair and as a member of the Nominating Committee. Shelley won the Excellence in Training Award in 2007 as the New Member Co Chair.
Shelley received her BA in Speech Communication from Indiana University. She was the Sales Manager at Tiffany & Co in Cincinnati.
Shelley is active in her community previously serving on the Vestry Session of Indian Hill Church for five years. She has also served on the Indian Hill Exempted Village School PTO Board for two years as the Primary School Representative as well as serving two years on the IHHS Board. Shelley has also been a member of Kindervelt #50/ Indian Hill.
Shelley resides in Indian Hill with her husband Bill and children Sydney and RJ. Shelley enjoys reading, playing tennis and traveling.
At-Large Member: Megan Stacey
She resides in East Hyde Park with her husband (Drew), daughter (Emory), son (Ford) and two dogs (Murphy & Briggs). When not working or spending time with her family, Megan enjoys several hobbies including her fashion blog, Polka Dots & Pleats, paddle tennis and mentoring other entrepreneurs.
After joining the JLC in 2009, Megan has served in various leadership roles including VP Membership, Co-Chair of The Centennial Campaign, New Member Advisor, Chair of Membership Outreach & Events, and Chair of Major Gifts. She has also served on Ad Hoc Committees, including New Member Curriculum (from her years as a teacher and assistant principal) and Points & Obligations.
At-Large Member: Saralou Durham
Saralou Durham has her undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and her master’s from Indiana University. She has worked as a teacher and a school librarian. After her children were born, she took the opportunity to change careers and have more flexible time. For over 15 years, she worked as an Interior Designer. Following that, she became a Realtor and spent 30 years helping families find their dream homes. During that time, she was a Circle of Excellence member 29 times.
Saralou joined the Junior League of Cincinnati in 1981. Her passion has always been project work. During her New Member year, she chaired the Child and Humanities Project at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Afterwards, she chaired the Family Education Center program. She was involved in the Children Having Children Conference and then chaired a program for teens to write and perform radio ads encouraging pregnancy prevention. She was Vice President of Projects.
For 6 years, Saralou was on the Headquarters search committee until we purchased Columbia Center. She signed our mortgage for the building on her last day as President of the JLC. Over the years, she has served on numerous Project Development committees. Recently, she was Vice President of Sustainer Council, serving for the second time.
Saralou has been on the Board of Directors for Easterseals, Family Education Center, Playhouse in the Park, and the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association. For UC, she served as President of the College of Education Alumni Association and edited the Cincinnati for Kids book as well as the Rainbow of Recipes cookbook. She was President of the entire Alumni Association from 1994-96. She was the recipient of the University of Cincinnati’s Distinguished Service Award.
Currently, Saralou brings her love of reading to the Academy of World Languages by volunteering in the classroom and providing children in that room with books of their own. She is currently President of the Cincinnati Women’s Club Foundation and Vice-chair of their Interior Design committee.
Saralou has been married to her husband David for 53 years. They have 3 children and 5 fabulous grandchildren. She wishes those three grandchildren in California would move to Cincinnati (they can bring their parents, too)!
Nominating Chair: Kelly Barber
Kelly Barber is the Research Director at Waterson Garner, a boutique strategic consulting firm. Her career has focused around marketing optimization and insights work, always an advocate for building consumer-centric brands and products. A member of the Junior League since 2013, she has served as Co-Chair of Leadership Development and the VP of Membership. Kelly also served on the board of the Kennedy Heights Arts Center from 2014-2018. She earned her MBA at Xavier University in 2008 and her bachelors in Art History at the University of Cincinnati in 2005. She resides in Pleasant Ridge, with her husband, Tony, and their two dogs, Clifford and Clementine. She is a supporter of the local arts and culinary scene and is also a part-time Pilates and Crossfit instructor.
Executive Management Team
VP Communications: Sam Zehnder
Sam Zehnder is currently a Sr. Product Marketing Manager at 84.51° as a member of the Kroger Precision Marketing team. Prior to her role on the 84.51 team, Sam has worked in various Marketing and CRM positions across diverse industries at Delta Private Jets, EyeMed Vision Care, OneSight and Fifth Third Bank. Sam graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Marketing and a minor in Business from Xavier University. In 2016, she became a Certified Salesforce Administrator.
Sam joined the Junior League of Cincinnati in 2017 and has since served as a member of the Online Committee and Chair of the Marketing and Publicity Committee. Outside of the league, Sam is very involved with Xavier University where she is a member of Xavier University’s National Alumni Board. Sam is originally from Danville, KY but now considers Cincinnati ‘home’ and lives in Northside with her husband Tom.
VP Community Impact: Leslie Touassi
VP Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Nazly Mamedova
Nazly is the principal attorney at the Law Office of Nazly Mamedova. Focusing on immigration law, she advocates for her clients in both business and personal immigration matters. An immigrant herself, Nazly came to the U.S. in 2004 to learn English at Xavier University, where she later graduated with a B.A. in International Affairs. She continued her studies at NKU Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where she received her J.D. in 2013. Nazly is fluent in several languages, allowing her to serve a diverse population of clients. In 2019, she was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Pamela is honored to be stepping into the role of VP of Membership. Last year she was Chair of the Leadership Development Committee, having previously served as a committee member for the past two years. Prior to that she was Vice Chair and then Chair of the Spring Fundraiser, CinSation. Since joining the League in 2011, she has served on various committees including Program Development, Membership Satisfaction, Nominating, Public Affairs Committee, and Kids in the Kitchen.
Megan joined the JLC in 2013 and has since served on the Cinsation, Tour of Kitchens, New Members, Nominating, and General Meeting Planning Committees. She has also held several leadership roles including New Members Advisor, New Members Co-Vice Chair and Co-Chair, and General Meeting Planning Chair.
Outside of the League, Megan is a member of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation’s Emerging Leaders and Women’s Committee of Cincinnati Parks. She also volunteers as the Operations and Risk Prevention Advisors for the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta.
After serving in the Community Council of the Junior League of New York City, Katie returned to Cincinnati in 2018. A native Texan, her career in media and advertising technology brought her to Cincinnati in 2012, then took her to New York City where she worked in the start-up world. Katie joined Oracle in 2017 and is currently the Measurement Product Strategy Leader for Oracle Advertising. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri with an emphasis in Strategic Communication. Katie also holds a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is an International Coach Federation certified coach.
Katie began her Junior League of Cincinnati service as a member of the Leadership Development and Transfer committees. She most recently served as the Chair of Program Development and is ecstatic to begin the JLC’s new Signature Project in partnership with the Family Nurturing Center! During her time in the JLC, Katie also participated in Board Bank and Emerging Leaders.
In addition to her involvement in the Junior League, Katie enjoys playing tennis, gardening, traveling, cooking and trying new restaurants in the Cincinnati area. She resides in Hyde Park with her husband Brandon, their daughter Caroline and their dog Maeby.