Leadership
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors manages the activities, property and affairs of the Junior League of Dallas (JLD), emphasizing strategic and proactive leadership. The Board sets and revises governing policies and ensures the alignment of the JLD mission and vision at all levels of the organization through policy administration, financial management, strategic planning, operational continuity and public relations.
Tandra Allen
Tandra moved to Dallas in 2003 after graduating from Baylor University with a Master of Science in communication sciences and disorders. Originally from New Mexico, she spent time growing up across Texas, in Amarillo and El Paso, as well as outside the state in South Carolina and Ohio. Tandra is assistant director of research at the Center for BrainHealth where she leads clinical research in the areas of social health and cognitive well-being.
Tandra joined the Junior League of Dallas in 2009. Her passion for serving the League and the Dallas community is the result of roles held within JLD including dinner host at Interfaith, Project Chair for North Dallas Shared Ministries, Auction Committee Chair, Member Engagement Committee Chair, Development Vice President, and Education Committee Chair. She is also a 2015 graduate of the T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute. Tandra and her husband, Michael, live in Lake Highlands with their three boys and Boston terrier.
Lindsay Davis
Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Lindsay Davis moved to Dallas in 2012. Since joining the Junior League of Dallas in 2015, she has served as Community Vice President, Mayor’s Back to School Fair Committee Chair, Research & Development Committee Chair, Strategy Executive Sponsor, Arts & Cultural Enrichment Issue Coordinator, and Dallas Zoo Project Chair. Each of those roles has taught her so much about the impact of the Junior League of Dallas and the true magic that happens when smart, strong women work together.
Professionally, Dr. Davis serves as the Deputy Director of Leadership and Programming at the George W. Bush Institute, where she is responsible for alumni engagement across the organization. By working with alumni of the Presidential Leadership Scholars, Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program, Team 43, and Bush-Cheney Administration, she engages with leaders and changemakers daily. Outside of work, Dr. Davis is also a member of the Partnership Auxiliary Board at Community Partners of Dallas and the Alliance Auxiliary Board at Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support.
Dr. Davis is a proud graduate of two DFW universities. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in entrepreneurial management and a Bachelor of Arts in theatre from Texas Christian University, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, and a Master of Education in education policy and leadership and a doctorate in higher education from Southern Methodist University. At SMU, she was also a recipient of the M Award.
When she finds a free moment, Dr. Davis is an avid reader, an enthusiastic sports fan, and a dance mom extraordinaire to her daughter, Elliott, a rising Kindergartener at Solar Preparatory School for Girls. She lives with Elliott, her husband Joe, and their rescue Yorkie, Nelly, near White Rock Lake.
Julia Tucker-Huth
Julia’s passion for developing women leaders is only matched by her desire to drive impact through data driven decision making. With 14 years of experience managing teams across various disciplines, she has developed a deep understanding of the importance of establishing scalable processes to drive lasting organization impact especially through enterprise data strategy and analytics. Julia holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and a Bachelor of Science in economics from Southern Methodist University, and she has also obtained a graduate certificate in business analytics. She works at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as the Director of Data Strategy and Innovation for the US Chief Data Office.
In 2014, Julia joined the Junior League to work alongside like-minded women with a shared passion for making a positive impact in the Dallas community. Through her service as Impact Director for Education and the Arts, Project Chair of the Dallas Arboretum, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, she has contributed her skills and knowledge to support initiatives that promote arts education, creativity, and wonder. She is a 2024 graduate of the T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute.
Julia resides in East Dallas with her husband and their 11-month-old daughter, Vivienne, who they affectionately refer to as their “new boss.” Her young family is motivation to make a lasting impact on the community and create a better future for her daughter and other young women.
Jennifer Mills
Jennifer has Midwestern roots as she was born in Ohio and lived in Indiana prior to moving to Texas. Following graduation from college, Jennifer moved from Fort Worth to Dallas. She started her career at Verizon in digital marketing before transitioning to a role in communications.
Jennifer’s first introduction to the Junior League of Dallas was in 2008 when she started as an evening volunteer at one of our most tenured agencies, Scottish Rite for Children. Since joining the League in 2013, Jennifer has served in a variety of placements including Strategic Planning Impact Coordinator, Membership Status Coordinator, Research & Development Researcher, and DallaCite Assistant Editor. She previously served on the Leadership Council as External Communications Committee Chair and Internal Communications Committee Chair. Jennifer is a 2018 graduate of the T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute.
Outside the League, Jennifer serves as a volunteer for Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She is currently volunteering as Secretary of Gamma Chi House Corporation and as Marketing Advisor to Gamma Chi Advisory Board, located at Texas Christian University. Jennifer previously served her Dallas sorority alumnae association as President, President-elect, Vice President of Communications, and State Convention Co-Chair. Additionally, she is a member of the Dallas chapter of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in advertising and public relations from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science degree in communications from Purdue University. In her free time, she enjoys college football, cooking, reading, running, and tennis.
Katie Royal
Born and raised in Coppell, Texas, Katie moved back to Dallas after graduating from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania in 2012.
Katie joined the Junior League of Dallas in 2013 but transferred to the Junior League of Philadelphia during her Provisional year. She spent two years in Philadelphia before transferring to the Junior League of Denver.
In 2017, Katie found her way back to the Junior League of Dallas and has served in various roles since then including Provisional Bus Tour Coordinator, Community Volunteer Fair Coordinator, Cancer Support Community North Texas Project Chair, Education Issue Coordinator, and, most recently, Research & Development Committee Chair. Katie is also a 2019 graduate of the T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute.
Katie and her husband, Blake, live in North Dallas with their three sons and black lab, Dozer. The family enjoys park days, practicing t-ball and swimming.
Katie German
Originally from Kansas City, Kansas, and a graduate of the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk), Katie moved to Dallas in 2014 after spending a few years in Tulsa, Oklahoma after graduation. Katie has worked in the Wine & Spirits industry for the past 13 years and is currently the Regional Sales Manager for Freixenet Mionetto USA overseeing Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
Katie joined the Junior League of Tulsa in 2011 and transferred to the Junior League of Dallas in 2014. She has served in various roles since then including Auction Committee Chair, New Member Committee Chair and most recently Underwriting Committee Chair.
Katie and her husband, Charles, live in Lakewood with their two boys, Charlie, and James and their Goldendoodle Rosie and Bichpoo Stella.
Zakiyah Johnson
Zakiyah Johnson is a collaborative and inclusive leader with a talent for bringing people together to achieve lasting impact. As the Digital Development and Impact Leader for the PGA of America REACH Foundation, Zakiyah leverages technology, data, marketing, and cross-functional teams to develop and implement innovative digital fundraising campaigns that benefit boys and girls, underserved communities, and Veterans through the game of golf, which is valued at $102 billion. Zakiyah has extensive experience in strategy development, process improvement, fundraising, marketing, and communications across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, and has consistently delivered successful outcomes both in business and the community.
However, her true differentiator is her unwavering passion for championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has a special gift for connecting with diverse people and building positive relationships that inspire collaboration and impact. Zakiyah honed her relationship-building skills while working on Capitol Hill for former United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, where she engaged with constituents from all walks of life. In 2016, she joined the Junior League of Dallas, where she has proudly served as a Perot Museum of Science volunteer, on Signature Projects, and the Development Committee. She has also held leadership roles as Education Committee Chair and Assistant Vice President of Membership.
Additionally, Zakiyah has served on the Board of Directors for the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas-Meals on Wheels Dallas and the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce. Zakiyah’s commitment to excellence is evident in her academic achievements. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in converged broadcast media with a double minor in political science and Spanish from the University of North Texas (go Mean Green) and went on to earn her Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas with an emphasis in nonprofit management.
Nicole Rodriguez
Nicole was born and raised in Dallas. She attended Texas Christian University to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in business management. She also earned a Master of Business Administration in finance and a Master of Science in accounting from The University of Dallas. She is a Senior Vice President with Prosperity Bank (through mergers/acquisitions of Legacy Texas Bank and View Point Bank) and has worked for the bank for over eleven years, serving as a lender and senior portfolio manager in the bank’s Entrepreneurial Banking Group.
Nicole joined the Junior League of Dallas in 2017. She has served on the Finance Committee as the Fund Development Treasurer and ultimately as the Finance Chair, overseeing all the budgets of the League as well as their investments. Nicole has also served on the community side of the League as Project Chair for the Dallas Museum of Art and Issue Coordinator for the Family Preservation Issue area and agencies. Other involvement has included Underwriter for the Development Underwriting Committee and Competitor Lounge Chairman for the Junior Cliburn Competition.
In addition to JLD, Nicole is an auxiliary member of Community Partners of Dallas. She is a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (seventh generation Texan) and is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
In her spare time, Nicole volunteers with her husband David at their son’s school, St. Monica Catholic School.
Brandi Garrett
Born and raised in Mesquite, Texas, Dr. Brandi Garrett considers herself a native Dallasite. She holds a master’s degree in nursing leadership and innovation from Baylor University and a doctorate in nursing research from the University of Texas at Tyler. As a neonatal intensive care nurse, her research focuses on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parent experience and maternal mental health. Dr. Garrett currently works full-time at Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Level Coordinator. She also still works as a NICU nurse to stay up to date on current nursing practices and trends to understand how to better prepare her nursing students for the future challenges ahead.
Joining the Junior League of Dallas in 2018, Brandi has served in various roles, including Boys and Girls Club Collegiate STEPS Mentor, Research & Development Researcher and Assistant Chair, and most recently, Placement Committee Chair. Brandi is also a 2023 graduate of the T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute. When she is not working or volunteering, Brandi enjoys eating at new restaurants, going on walks with her pup, and baking. She is also a member of Shoreline City Church. Brandi currently lives in Dallas near University Park.
Alexandria Twiss
Born and raised in a suburb of Dallas, Alex moved back to Dallas in 2015 after graduating from Baylor Law School. She is a Senior Attorney at the law firm of Dykema Gossett, PLLC, where she practices complex commercial litigation.
Alex joined the Junior League of Dallas in 2017 and has served the community in a variety of roles including volunteering as a Life Skills Coach at Our Friends Place and as a Senior Showcase and Events Assistant at Booker T. Washington. Alex also served on the Leadership Council as the Governance Chair.
Alex and her husband, Ben, are members of Munger Place Church and live in Lakewood with their daughter, Margot, and their two corgis, Ollie and Lily. When she is not working or volunteering, you can find Alex enjoying time with her family, playing Mahjong with her friends, and exploring new restaurants around Dallas.
Leigh Ann Sheffield
Originally from Bryan, Texas, Leigh Ann is a proud alumna of Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia where she earned her Bachelor of Arts. She later completed her Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas. Prior to relocating to Dallas, Leigh Ann began her career in Washington, D.C. as a federal senior defense analyst.
Leigh Ann joined Junior League of Dallas in 2017 and has contributed significantly in various capacities. She enjoyed her role on the GFIT Committee and served as the inaugural Signature Projects Program Coordinator and later as the inaugural Signature Projects Grants Director.
Outside of work and volunteering, Leigh Ann enjoys fitness, attending concerts, reading, and listening to podcasts. She resides in Dallas with her husband Darren, their children Maxwell and Peyton, and their lab-mix Chy.
Katherine Haskel
Katherine is a business professional passionate about building pathways to upward economic mobility in under-resourced communities. Her introduction to public service began with her selection to the Tennessee General Assembly Legislative Internship Program as an undergraduate student. Since then, she has been an active servant leader in the community, being primarily interested in education programs, poverty intervention, and arts and culture community enrichment.
Originally from Laurel, Mississippi, Katherine lived in Atlanta, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana before moving to Dallas in 2010. She joined the league in 2012 and has served in several placements such as Development Underwriter, Auction Team Ad Solicitor, Our Friends Place Special Events Assistant and Mentor, Research & Development Researcher, Dallas Museum of Art Project Chair, Community Advisory Board Chair, Strategic Planning Impact Coordinator, Centennial Committee member, Provisional Committee member, Poverty Intervention Issue Area Coordinator, and most recently served as an Education Director.
Katherine is also an active representative of her professional community through memberships and leadership roles. She was appointed by the mayor to serve the City of Dallas as Chair of the Landmark Commission. In addition, she is a member of the Leadership Dallas Class of 2020 and a member of the Mayor’s Star Council Leadership Class of 2019. She also served as a member of the Americans for the Arts National Emerging Leaders Council for three years and as a Grant Evaluator for the Texas Commission on the Arts. Katherine was also a participant in the Business Council for the Arts Leadership Arts Institute Class of 2014.
She holds a Master of Business Administration in strategic management, and human resource & organizational behavior from University of North Texas at Dallas, a master’s degree in public history with an emphasis in museum studies from Middle Tennessee State University, a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Tennessee State University, and an associate degree in business administration marketing management from Jones County Junior College.
Kimberly Blanton-Day
Kimberly is a Dallas native and joined the League in 2012. She has held various Community and In-League positions to include her first Board of Directors term as Secretary during the League’s Centennial year.
Kimberly is the Deputy General Counsel for Employment Law and Workers Compensation at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. In her role, she oversees a team of employment and workers compensation attorneys who represent management in employment law and workers compensation litigation at Army and Air Force Bases worldwide.
Outside the League, Kimberly is a collector of hobbies. She has a passion for apparel sewing but also enjoys needlepoint, knitting, millinery, and mahjong. Kimberly lives in Lake Highlands with her husband, Daniel, and their son, Finnegan.
Elizabeth Dacus
Leadership Council
Junior League of Dallas
2024-2025
Leadership Council
Auction Chair: Stephanie Kaye Ramirez
Auction Chair-elect: Claudia Neba
Brand Strategy Chair: Elle Congelliere
Community Advisory Board Chair: Michelle Prudhomme-Coleman
Community Initiatives Director: Caitlin Holcomb
Development Communications Chair: Ashleigh Johnson
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Chair: Melva Perez
Education and The Arts Director: Rachel Chewakin
Education Chair: Anna Stutler
Emerging Projects Director: Sarah Hantak
External Communications Chair: Virginia Hock
Finance Chair: Katy Ratley
Governance Chair: Keisha Dragone
Headquarters Chair: Natalie Knight
Health & Wellness Director: Veronica Wallace
Internal Communications Chair: Emily Deer
League Initiated Projects Director: Audrey Maxwell
Luncheon Chair: Lauren Combest
Luncheon Chair-elect: Krystle Craycraft
Major Gifts Chair: Shivangi Perkins
Membership Chair: Jessica Poole
Membership Engagement Chair: Lauren Junge
New Member Chair: Christie Batka
Nominating Chair: Carrie Hill
Placement Chair: Lexi Koonce
Provisional Chair: Courtney Johnson
Public Relations Chair: Haley Davis
Research & Development Chair: Andrea McPherson
Research & Planning Chair: Jenna Berg
Signature Projects Grants Director: Cathryn McClellan
Social Media Chair: Jessica Berend
Special Events Chair: Allison Gaughan
Strengthening Families Director: Alex Yocum-Beeman
T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute Chair: Dulari Mehta
Technology Chair: Jennifer Burns
Transfer Chair: Tessa Wilkin
Underwriting Chair: Jennifer Welden