Learn more about Keisha Harp, 2021-22 JLGNH Assistant Finance Director.

As Executive Director of the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization (WPEO) in New York, Keisha Blake overseas all outreach efforts and develops the organization’s programs and events. Her responsibilities include regional management of the WBENC Certification Program for women-owned businesses and certification committee membership, as well as recruitment and retention of Women Business Enterprises (WBEs). She joined WPEO-NY as Regional Director of Certification and Programming.

Keisha’s past work experience includes managing the Screen Actors Guild’s Commercials & Industrials Contracts Division in New York City. She also handled constituency issues for The Office of Senator Joseph Lieberman, U.S. Senator from Connecticut, in Washington, D.C.

As an entrepreneur, she managed the European market planning, trend forecasting, budgeting and sourcing for a woman-owned fashion retailer. She volunteers with The Urban League of Southern Connecticut, Habitat for Humanity, and The Junior League of Greater New Haven.

Keisha graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Spanish. She did research at Oxford University in Refugee Law, has a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies from Cambridge University and holds a Law degree from the University of London.

She serves on the boards of the Supplier Diversity Development Council, the Connecticut Supplier Connection Roundtable and the Advisory Council for the Center for Women in Business at Quinnipiac University.

An avid traveler, Keisha has lived in Cambridge, London and Madrid.

Q: What inspired you to volunteer to serve in a leadership role for JLGNH?

A: I am passionate about helping the organization to flourish and grow.

Q: How many years have you been involved with Junior League?

A: 5/6 years.

Q: Many members are interested in a literacy focus for our League. Can you tell us about a book you read recently and loved?

A: 1) A Love Song For W.E.B. Dubois by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers 

It is the history of a fictional African American family in Georgia from the 1700s to the present.  The author writes beautifully about the family’s experience during slavery, the American Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement to the present. The author touches on themes like feminism, racism and classism.

It is an epic American Novel.

2) Santa Land Diaries by David Sedaris

David Sedaris is one of my favorite authors. The Santa Land Diaries is a humorous account of his experience working as a Christmas Elf in "Santaland" at Macy's New York City. I love Christmas and this essay always gets me in the Christmas spirit.

Q: What holiday tradition are you most excited about celebrating this season?

A: My family loves going to Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden to cut down a Christmas tree. We also look forward to the Christmas Pageant at our church -  Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven. In 2019, my toddler son was a lamb and I was a shepherd I can’t wait for the world to be open again so that we can celebrate in person in our Church.

Learn more about Amy Chivetta, the 2021-22 Junior League of Greater New Haven Finance Director.

Amy is the current Finance Director and has been a member of the Junior League of Greater New Haven since 2018. She has held roles in Service Learning and Winetasting committees in past years. This year Amy is excited to work with the Board on fund development and financial stability to support the League's volunteer efforts in New Haven.

Amy lives in New Haven with her husband and two dogs. She currently works in institutional investing.

Q: What inspired you to volunteer to serve in a leadership role for JLGNH?

A: Our League has done and can do so much good in our community, and I wanted to step up to help us fulfill our mission.  And it's a great learning experience as well!

Q: How many years have you been involved with Junior League?

A: I was a provisional in fall 2018.

Q: Many members are interested in a literacy focus for our League. Can you tell us about a book you read recently and loved?  

A: I recently read and enjoyed Where the Crawdad Sings by Delia Owens. 

Q: In the 21st century, there are so many ways for women to connect--what do you think is unique about Junior League and the women it brings together?  

A: I think a lot of women join the Junior League because it not only provides a chance to form friendships with great women, but it also provides the opportunity to build those bonds while doing good in our local community. 

Q: What holiday tradition are you most excited about celebrating this season? 

A: I love the holiday season, so it's hard to pick just one thing, but I always enjoy admiring holiday light displays! 

Learn more about Maeghan Beahm, the 2021-22 Junior League of Greater New Haven Communications and Membership Director.

Maeghan is the current Membership Council Director and Communications Council Director. She transferred to the Junior League of Greater New Haven in 2018 from the Junior League of Charlotte, where she joined the League in 2015. Maeghan joined the Junior League to better connect with the community in which she lives, and meet like-minded women looking to do the same. During the 2020-21 League year, Maeghan was awarded the "In-League Award" for her work on the Provisional Training program. Maeghan has worked on various internal placements, working to help support the day-to-day operations of the League. She is currently responsible for recruitment and retention of League members, as well as all internal and external communications for the JLGNH.

Maeghan holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Winthrop University and a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management with a concentration in Marketing from The University of Georgia. She has taught grades three through six; and worked for various nonprofits including Autism Speaks and the American Cancer Society. She currently lives in Groton with her husband, young son, and their beloved dogs.

Q: What inspired you to volunteer to serve in a leadership role for JLGNH?

A: I joined the League wanting to develop my leadership skills, but I was truly inspired to serve in a leadership role within the League after seeing the strong women who led the League during my provisional year. They had careers, and families, and yet their passion for the Junior League and their community was so apparent and so strong that I knew I wanted to serve in a similar capacity.

Q: How many years have you been involved with Junior League?

A: I joined the Junior League of Charlotte in 2015, and transferred to the Junior League of New Haven in 2019, after my husband's career with The Navy brought us to Connecticut.

Q: Many members are interested in a literacy focus for our League. Can you tell us about a book you read recently and loved?

A: I used to be an avid reader, but have not had as much free time to read now that my son is almost 18 months old and always on the go. So these days I listen to a lot of audiobooks while I'm in the car, and recently listened to and loved The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure. It's about an architect living in Nazi-occupied Paris who creates secret hiding places for Jews trying to escape France.

Q: In the 21st century, there are so many ways for women to connect--what do you think is unique about Junior League and the women it brings together?

A: One of the things that drew me to the Junior League, and something I think that makes it unique, are the training and leadership opportunities offered to all members. When I joined the League, I wanted to create a better connection with the community in which I lived, but I was also craving the opportunity to develop and grow my leadership skills. By my second active year, I was serving in a nominated position; by my third year, I was a member of the Management Team; and now I serve on the Board of Directors. No other organization would have allowed me to serve in leadership capacities so quickly, and provided the training to be successful in those roles.

Q: What holiday tradition are you most excited about celebrating this season?

A: It's not a tradition, per se, but I am most excited about celebrating Christmas with my family (fingers crossed). With COVID-19 last year, we were unable to travel and see family for my son's first Christmas, so I am hopeful that we are able to travel to South Carolina and spend Christmas morning with them.

Learn more about Gerri Lyons Bell, the 2021-22 Junior League of Greater New Haven Community Director.

Gerri S Lyons Bell’s professional background includes many years of sales and account management within the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Insurance Industries, working for Fortune 50 Pharmaceutical and Insurance companies. Currently, she serves on a variety of internal leadership committees within her company Johnson and Johnson’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). She is also one of the past President of National Sales Network – NJ/NY. During her affiliation with this organization, she served in many leadership roles, including the founder and President of the New England chapter. In addition, currently she is the CEO of her own Health and Wellness company. She resides in New Haven, CT

She joined Junior League in 2013 and has served as the DIAD Committee Chair for both the Stamford/Norwalk and Greater New Haven chapters. Gerri is the current Community Director for JLGNH.

One of her greatest enjoyments in life is giving back by educating, encouraging, and empowering women to be the best version of themselves. Traveling and spending time with her family are some other pleasures that make her life worth living.

Q: What inspired you to volunteer to serve in a leadership role for JLGNH?

A: What inspired me to volunteer to serve in a leadership role is my desire to make a positive impact serving our community. 

Q: How many years have you been involved with Junior League? 

A: I’ve been involved with Junior League for 8 years.

Q: Many members are interested in a literacy focus for our League. Can you tell us about a book you read recently and loved?

A: The book that I am currently reading is We Should All Be Millionaires.

Q: In the 21st century, there are so many ways for women to connect--what do you think is unique about Junior League and the women it brings together?

A: I love that Junior League is focused on cultivating leaders and building up communities. 

Q: What holiday tradition are you most excited about celebrating this season?  

A: Christmas tends to be my favorite. I love the traditions of lighting the tree, family gatherings, and everything that comes along with Christmas

Learn more about Ashley Ahearn, the 2021-22 Junior League of Greater New Haven President-Elect.

Ashley is the current President-Elect and has been a member of the Junior League of Greater New Haven since 2018. She most recently served on the JLGNH board as Membership Council Director & Communications Council Director. Previous to that she served as the Chair of the fundraising event Winetasting (Finance). This year Ashley is eager to support the other Board members in their different roles as well as develop the Strategic Plan for the League to help drive our League's volunteer and fundraising efforts for the next few years.

Ashley holds two bachelor’s degrees from Merrimack College one in Psychology and one in Criminology. She currently works in the Wellness Industry as a Business Coach for a franchise company.

Q: What inspired you to volunteer to serve in a leadership role for JLGNH?

A: I love our mission & the fact that we have chapters across the nation. When asked to become a member of the board I saw it as an opportunity to really learn about the ins and outs at facilitating operations on the back end for the league as a whole. 

Q: How many years have you been involved with Junior League? 

A: This will be my 3rd year! 

Q: Many members are interested in a literacy focus for our League. Can you tell us about a book you read recently and loved?

A: I love any murder mystery or anything that takes me out of the here and now. I recently read The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda.

Q: In the 21st century, there are so many ways for women to connect--what do you think is unique about Junior League and the women it brings together?

A: It’s an opportunity to meet and foster relationships with women you might never cross paths with. I love that you get to connect while giving back and doing something great in the community. 

Q: What holiday tradition are you most excited about celebrating this season? 

A: I’m excited to watch movies with my family on Christmas Eve! We always have a causal Christmas Eve night and I love it. We just spend time together laughing, playing games and enjoying each other’s company. 

Learn more about Ashley Fitton, the 2021-22 Junior League of Greater New Haven President.

Ashley is the current President and has been a member of the Junior League of Greater New Haven since 2017. She most recently served on the JLGNH board as President-Elect, and previously served as the Chair of the fundraising event Winetasting (Finance) and interim Done-In-A-Day Committee Co-Chair. She is a recipient of the Community Award presented by the Junior League of Greater New Haven, due to her significant contribution to her community in a previous league year (via her Community/Done-In-A-Day work). This year, with the League and board’s help, she’ll be primarily focused on fostering and developing volunteerism and training opportunities for the league, with an eye towards diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Vermont, with a focus on Business Administration. She currently works in Human Resources for a CT-based insurance company. Ashley resides in Essex with her husband and daughter.

Q: What inspired you to volunteer to serve in a leadership role for JLGNH?

A: In my time at JLGNH, I have seen some very inspiring women come before me in leadership roles. I’ve watched them balance families, jobs, hardships, etc, all while volunteering in their leadership roles with JLGNH.

In my mind, Serving on the board initially seemed like it should be left to the seasoned veterans of our organization, but I quickly learned in my third year of the league (while helping as an honorary co-chair of Community/DIAD) that almost anyone could take on a leadership role as a growth opportunity. Given our smaller league size, It’s not uncommon for members to take on different leadership roles throughout their League journey, and last year was my time to take on an expanded leadership role (President Elect) which led me to my role as President today. It’s been a great learning experience so far!

Q: How many years have you been involved with Junior League?

A: This is my 5th year!

Q: Many members are interested in a literacy focus for our League. Can you tell us about a book you read recently and loved?

A: I’m not as avid of a reader (of adult books) as I’d like, or should be, but did read The Giver of Stars, by Jojo Moyes, and sped right through it.

Our family reads a ton with my 1st grader who is an emerging reader. I started reading books to her as an infant and we have some classics that we still enjoy and reread today (including any Sandra Boynton books).

Q: In the 21st century, there are so many ways for women to connect--what do you think is unique about Junior League and the women it brings together?

A: An organization that is local AND nationwide. We see lots of transfers (in and out) of JLGNH, and it shows the strength of a nationwide organization that allows, and promotes, movement when members move. Often, women are looking to make community connections outside of their family and work circles, so having the League (wherever their location) to help facilitate those volunteer and social connections is ideal.

Q: What holiday tradition are you most excited about celebrating this season?

A: My daughter was born on Thanksgiving (and wow was it a memorable entrance!) so it’s a holiday that my family cherishes. Our family is local and small, so get togethers often occur throughout the year for birthdays and whatnot, but given the health challenges a few in my family members have faced this year, make coming together for thanksgiving even more important and memorable. If I’ve learned nothing over this past year+ (other than how to navigate zoom/Google meet/etc) Getting together to celebrate family and good health is something I won’t take for granted!

On Saturday, October 20th, JLGNH members gathered at the community room at McConaughy Terrace to clean any dust or unwanted items that may have made their way in over the summer.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the space sparkle - it looks great!

  

On Saturday, October 12th, members participated in a Done-In-A-Day Activity partnered with the United Way of Greater New Haven's Day of Caring. 

Throughout the day, multiple clean-up projects were organized throughout New Haven, with JLGNH members located at Lighthouse Point Park. Members worked through wind and rain to clear sand and debris from the parking lot so that the cement barriers could be repainted.

For a summary video of the work done throughout the city, click here.

Thank you to everyone who participated!

    

On October 10th, JLGNH members gathered for a Done-In-A-Day event at the Fisher House located in West Haven on the VA Hospital Campus to decorate the home for Halloween. 

The West Haven Fisher House opened in May 2018 and operates to provide a comfortable home where military & veterans' families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital, along with operating the Hero Miles program, Hotels for Heroes program, and managing a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses, and children of fallen and disabled veterans.

Members worked to get the house fun and spooky just in time for Halloween, to keep the Fisher House feeling more like home for guests. Following the DIAD Activity, the October GMM was held in the Fisher House's Dining Room. Thank you to everyone who participated, and for the Fisher House of West Haven for sharing their beautiful home with us!

To read more about the Fisher House's Mission and efforts, click here.