Board of Directors

President
Erin Aldridge

Erin joined Junior League into 2014. She was named the 2014- 2015 new member MVP for her work with sustainer relations and on a special funding committee. She served on our board as Vice President of Community Impact from 2017-2018 during which she led the Issue Based Community Impact Transformation process ultimately resulting in the selection of the issue area Child welfare as impacted by violence and community instability. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Strategic Communications, Erin has worked in the non-profit and advertising industries. She was the awarded the 2011 Fast Foward (FORGE) Member of the year by the Topeka Chamber of Commerce for her work as the 2010 Fast Forward Chair while working at the Topeka Performing Arts Center. Erin is currently the Development Director for the Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts responsible for raising the funds necessary to support the growth and development of over 6,000 youth in 11 counties. In addition to League, Erin is a past volunteer board member of the Shawnee Boat and Ski Club. She recently accepted a position on the Balloon Federation of America’s 2021 National Convention Planning Committee and serves on the Topeka Global Entrepreneurship Week Task Force. Erin and her husband, Brandon, own a State Farm Insurance office and live in the Shawnee Heights area with their children, Kaitlyn and Reid. Most weekends you’ll either find them at Lake of the Ozarks or at one of Kaitlyn’s swim meets.

Treasurer
Bridgette Hooper

Bridgette joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2014 and served on the Community Impact Council as the Grant Manager prior to being elected as Treasurer. In addition to JLT, she is active in International Rotary and the H.E.L.P. Foundation, which focuses its efforts on underprivileged children in the Philippines. Bridgette attended Washburn University and graduated with a Bachelors of Business Administration in 2004. She currently works as the Director of Energy Procurement for INTL FCStone where she advises clients on commodity risk management practices related to electricity and natural gas. Bridgette and her husband Michael share two children, Peyton and Tucker. In her spare time, Bridgette enjoys attending her children’ activities and loves to be around the water.

Executive Secretary
Kimberly Streit Vogelsberg

Kimberly joined Junior League in 2012 and has served on the Community Impact Council in the roles of Advocacy Chair and Project Chair. After graduating Bethany College summa cum laude and receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Psychology in 2008, Kimberly went to law school. In 2011, she graduated magna cum laude and received a certificate in family law from Washburn Law School. Kimberly practiced family law for several years before accepting her current position as an Appellate Defender, where she represents indigent felons in their criminal appeals before the Kansas appellate courts. Kimberly also volunteers her time as a board member for University Child Development. Kimberly and her husband, Patrick, have two little boys: Augustus is three years old and Emmett is one. They love a weekend trip to the family farms. In her few free moments, Kimberly can be found reading, baking, walking, or chatting on the phone with her mom or one of her four sisters.

Vice President of Communications Council
Katie Koupal

Katie joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2011 and has served on the Community Impact Council, Membership Development Council and Communications Council. She attended Friends University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History & Political Science in 2006 and received her Masters in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Policy from the University of Kansas in 2008. Katie is the Area Manager of External Affairs for AT&T. In addition to JLT, Koupal is a member of the Downtown Topeka Rotary Club, Leadership Greater Topeka (2016), Leadership Kansas (2018) and the American Council of Young Political Leaders. Katie resides in Topeka with her husband Matt and English Bulldog Millie. In her spare time she enjoys working out, reading, crochet and traveling.

Vice President of Community Impact Council
Ginger Harper

Ginger joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2016 and served as Advocacy Chair before accepting the position of Vice President of Community Impact. She grew up on a farm in northeast Kansas, and remains involved in her family’s production agriculture business. A proud Gorilla Graduate, she holds a from Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Pittsburg State University. In 2008, she completed a year abroad and received her Master’s Degree with Merit in International Relations from Brunel University in London, England. After spending 7 years in Washington, D.C., she and her husband, Tyler, relocated to Topeka where she works as Chief of Policy and Communication for the Kansas Water Office. Ginger is a volunteer for Sigma Sigma Sigma National Sorority, and has completed the Partnership for a Secure America Congressional Partnership Program and the WeLead Women & Politics Institute Leadership Training Program. She is also a 2018 graduate of the Eisenhower Women’s Leadership Series in Kansas. She and Tyler have one son, Walter, and they enjoy traveling, mostly to spend time with family and friends.

Vice President of Funding Development Council
Ashlee Schneider

Ashlee has been an active member of the Junior League of Topeka for 3 years. She was the sponsorship co-chair her second year and last year served as the funding chair. Ashlee earned both her bachelor and master’s degree from Emporia State University. She currently teaches at Tecumseh South Elementary School. Ashlee and her husband, Brett, stay busy with their three children, Sydnee, Sophia, and Seth. In her spare time, Ashlee is usually attending her children’s sporting events, watching the Royals or KU basketball.

Vice President of Leadership Council
Kelsie Shafer

Kelsie joined Junior League in 2012. She has previously served on the Community Impact Council, Communications Council, and Leadership Council. In her various roles with Junior League of Topeka, she has been able to connect with various members of League and the Topeka Community. Kelsie graduated from Washburn University with a degree in Elementary Education and a specialization in Early Childhood and Special Education. She recently graduated from Fort Hays State with a Masters of Science in Educational Administration. Kelsie has been teaching for eight year in the Seaman School District and has a passion for Early Childhood. In addition to teaching, Kelsie is also an assistant softball coach at Seaman High School and enjoys being able to be a leader and role model for all children. Kelsie is active with her school district and leads several groups of students and colleagues in various activities. Recently, Kelsie established the Karen Shafer Perseverance Scholarship Fund through Washburn University in honor of her mother, who passed away in 2008. The scholarship fund supports students of the Ichabod Success Institute at Washburn University. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, spending time with friends and family, and dedicating time to the community.

Vice President of Membership Development Council
Katie Elwell

Katie joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2014 when she moved to Topeka. Along with her husband, Aaron, she has two young, very active, boys, ages 4 and 1. Aaron is the fourth generation of his family’s local construction company, Shirley Construction.
Before shifting her focus to family, she worked in the apparel industry. Using her degree from Kansas State, she designed for Lee Jeans (Kansas City) for over 10 years and also worked in buying at Neiman Marcus (Dallas, TX). Katie keeps her head for business by consulting for a variety of apparel merchandising and development projects. She also serves her community by volunteering at Prince of Peace Preschool as a board member. Together with her family, she enjoys traveling, running and entertaining. She served as Recruitment Chair for two years before being elected to the Board of Directors.

Sustainer Representative
Laurie Niehaus

Laurie joined the Junior League of Topeka in August 1999. She served on the Resource Development Committee from 2000 to 2001, Care Chair from 2001 to 2002, Membership Services Director from 2002 to 2003, Community Program Council Director from 2003 to 2004, President Elect 2004 to 2005, President 2005 to 2006, and Past President and Funding Development Council Member from 2006 to 2007. Laurie became a Sustainer in June 2007. Besides being involved with Junior League of Topeka, Laurie is also involved with The Mulvane Art Museum and loves serving Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church. After a 30 year career in banking, she changed career paths and joined Kansas Secured Title as a Closer. Laurie and her husband, Curt, have three adult children, Regan, Grant and Addison. They were awarded the title of Grandparents when Brinley Grace Baxter was born. When not doting on Brinley, Laurie enjoys cross stitching, scrap-booking and watching any K-State sport.

Sustainer Advisor to the President
Kim Hinkly

Kim joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2001 and was an active member before going sustaining in 2010. Kim began her JLT career serving as the Social Chair, Active Member Adviser, New Member Task Force, Treasurer, President-Elect and President. She graduated from Leadership Greater Topeka in 2008. Kim currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Countryside United Methodist Church and the March of Dimes of NE KS. Kim and her husband Stanton own and operate four Merry Maids home cleaning franchises. They have two young daughters and two large dogs.

Board of Directors

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