Junior League of Topeka

Board of Directors

President
Erin Aldridge

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

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.