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. During this time frame, Erin worked closely with Community Action to transition the Diaper Depot to their program offerings.
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 Forward (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 and Sales and Marketing Executives of Topeka. 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.
President-Elect
Kim Sixkiller
Kim joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2012, diving in head first, she was named the 2012-2013 New Member MVP. Since then she hasn’t slowed down, serving congruently on the Funding and Community Impact Councils several years before taking on the revamping of Volunteer and Member Responsibilities Coordination with the League’s new website launch in 2013-2015. Previous to accepting the role of President Elect, Kim served as the VP of Leadership Development where she focused on mentorship, the revamp of League training, and successfully led the transition of the JLT’s signature project, The Diaper Depot, to its permanent home with Community Action in 2018.
Kim graduated from Emporia State University and is currently a Vice President of Medicare Solutions at Advisors Excel. In addition to her career and volunteerism through JLT, Kim is active in the Shawnee Heights District serving on the elementary and middle school PTOs, the Middle School Site Council, and the District Advisory Council where her two daughters, Hannah (15) and Ava (13) attend school.
Treasurer
Sarah Carnahan
Sarah joined Junior League in 2017 to meet new women and get more involved in the Topeka community. She has served on the Funding Development council her first active year and then was recently elected Treasurer. She graduated from Wayne State College in Nebraska with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Service Counseling in 2006. She works at Midland Care as a PACE Intake Coordinator where she assists seniors with getting community based long term services and supports. In addition to Junior League, Sarah is active in Fellowship Bible Church and lead coordinator of Affordable Christmas program there. Sarah lives with her husband Corey and dogs, Lucy and Stanley. She enjoys quilting, reading and visiting new breweries/wineries.
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, Communications
Bailee Carpenter
Bailee joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2016 and has served on the Communications Council for the past three years. She has served as the Creative Director, Editor, and Assistant Editor for the Capital Impact Magazine. In addition to Junior League, Bailee is a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shawnee County and is a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts and Forge. She attended Allen Community College where she graduated with an Associate’s in Graphic Design. Bailee works as a User Interface and User Experience Designer for Newcomer Funeral Service Group where she designs websites, applications, graphics, logos and advertisements. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, taking her dog, Boswell, on walks, and traveling.
Vice President, Community Impact
Shannon Little
Shannon joined Junior League of Topeka in 2017 and has served on the Funding Development Council prior to being elected as VP of Community Impact. She attended the University of Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 2004 and received her Juris Dotorate degree from Washburn University in 2008. Shannon worked as a lobbyist for Little Government Relations until her son Toby was born in 2012. In addition to JLT, she is active in Topeka Civic Theater and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense In America. Shannon lives in Topeka with her husband Stuart, step-children Ben, Caroline, and Sam, and her son Toby. She enjoys swimming, reading, running, traveling, gardening, and having adventures with her son.
Vice President, Funding Development
Brie Parks
Brie Parks joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2017 and serves as the Vice President of Funding Development. Prior to this position, Brie was involved on the Membership Transformation Team, the Community Impact Transformation Team and a member of the Funding Development Council. Outside of Junior League, Brie serves as a Director of Marketing for Advisors Excel. In her role here Brie creates strategies and plans that help recruit and retain financial advisors for AE Wealth Management while also building tools to help financial advisors across the country grow their business and better serve their clients. Outside of work, Brie is actively engaged in the Topeka community and has previously held board positions with the Race Against Breast Cancer and the American Advertising Federation of Topeka. She has spent time volunteering with the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, Let’s Help, Project Topeka and Harvesters. Brie has been honored as one of Greater Topeka’s Top 20 Under 40 and has also had the great pleasure of being selected to receive the Carolyn Terhune Volunteer of the Year award and Junior League of Topeka’s Active Member of the Year award. She’s a proud alumni of Kansas State University and more recently, Leadership Greater Topeka’s greatest class ever – the Class of 2012. Brie lives in Topeka with her husband, Matthew, and their two daughters, Audra & Ryann. When she’s not working, she enjoys reading, keeping up with the latest binge-worthy shows on Netflix, going to the movies and spending time with her family.
Vice President of Leadership Council
Kelsie Shafer-Nicholson
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 the 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 years 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. Kelsie and her husband, Derek, were recently married in 2019 and look forward to impacting the Topeka community together. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, spending time with friends and family, and dedicating time to the community.
Vice President, Membership Development
Kelsey Savage
Kelsey joined Junior League of Topeka in 2015 and has served on the Membership Development Council since joining. She moved to Kansas in 2006 after Graduating from Arizona State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development. Kelsey is the Director of Sales at Hyatt Place Topeka. In addition to Junior League, she is the 2019 Vice President of the Topeka Lodging Association and recently joined the Topeka Symphony League Board of Directors. Kelsey resides in Lawrence with her husband, James, and four legged babies; Luna, Marley and Ziggy. Although she is not a resident of Topeka, Kelsey enjoys giving back to the community where most her time is spent. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting and traveling.
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.