| Elizabeth Protzman, President - Elect Elizabeth Protzman is from Connecticut, born in Hartford. She currently serves as the Director of Communications for the statewide non profit organization Winning Ways, a community mental health based education program for people overcoming reentry, in recovery, and from underserved communities. Their organization has been featured twice on WFSB's Great Day at 9a program! In 2009, Elizabeth survived a fatal boating accident that took the life of a very close friend. Since then she became a volunteer for Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, including fundraising for the Walk Like MADD Branford and Hartford 5k. Her advocacy and testimony helped alter drinking and boating laws to make Connecticut waters safer. You can connect with Elizabeth at: presidentelect@jlgnh.org |
Katherine Devine, Community Council Director Katherine is the Community Council Director for the Junior League of Greater New Haven's 2023-2024 league year. She joined the Junior League in 2022 and has been an active member since. After moving back to her home state of Connecticut from New York City, she joined the league to connect with and learn more about her new home in New Haven, meet women actively looking to make a difference, and expand her in-person network while working remotely. As Community Director, Katherine is responsible for community partnerships, league volunteer opportunities, and the High School Volunteerism award. Katherine is originally from West Hartford, Connecticut. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont, and upon graduation returned home to work in nature based early education programs before heading off for an adventurous year in Northern Thailand, developing an educational non-profit. She then returned to Hartford, where she worked in the CT state legislature, ran a political campaign, and reconnected with her friends and family before beginning her graduate degree studies in Non-Profit Management at the New School in New York City. In New York, she also began interning at the UN Global Compact, learning about corporate sustainability and worked her way to Senior Manager for International Events. The events of 2020 brought her back to Connecticut, where she took on a new role in social services, working for the CT Office of Early Childhood, serving children and families across the state. Katherine currently lives in East Rock in New Haven and loves yoga, hiking, days at the beach, live music, coffee shops, trying new restaurants, quality time with her friends and family, and connecting with new people. You can connect with Katherine here: community@jlgnh.org |
| Membership Council Director You can contact here at: membership@jlgnh.org |
Amy Nelson, Communications Council Director Amy Nelson is the current Communications Council Director for the Junior League of Greater New Haven. She has been a member of the League since 2022. As a new mom Amy joined the Junior League to better connect with the local community and meet like-minded women. In her role as Communications Council Director, she is responsible for all internal and external communications for JLGNH. Amy is from Waterbury, CT originally. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Springfield College and a Masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University. Amy works for a non-profit organization here in Connecticut as a Behavior Specialist where she works with Adults of all ability levels in Day and Residential settings. She moved to Wallingford in June 2020, where she lives with her husband, her daughter, 3 dogs, 1 cat and 10 chickens. Amy's previous volunteer experience includes building homes in New Orleans with Alternative Spring Break, participating in local food drives, and volunteer opportunities within her church community. In her spare time she can be found enjoying time with her family, tending to her garden, reading or needlepointing. You can connect with Amy at: communications@jlgnh.org |
| Damaris Clark-Spear, Finance Council Director Damaris Clark-Spear is the Finance Council Director for the Junior League of Greater New Haven's 2022-23 League year. She has always had a passion for volunteering and is very excited to see what the JLGNH can accomplish in her fourth year with the organization. She is very proud of the Junior League and its wonderful initiatives to enrich and empower our community. Damaris works in PR and marketing. She is a proud advocate for women’s rights, a fierce advocate of LGBTQIA+ rights, Civil rights, and a lifelong ally of animals and the environment. Damaris loves skiing, hiking, tennis and taking her dog to the beach. You can connect with Damaris at: finance@jlgnh.org |
| Katy McNeil Meier, Assistant Finance Council Director Katy Meier is the Assistant Finance Director for the Junior League of Greater New Haven. She has been a member of JLGNH since 2021. She joined Junior League of Oklahoma City in 2015 where she served as the Project Manager for Open Streets and sat on the Community Council, Strategic Planning Committee, and READ Committee. She transferred to the Junior League of St Louis in 2018 and resigned in 2019 to pursue other opportunities. She is glad to be back in the League since moving to Connecticut and is grateful for the friendships she's made with the lovely ladies of JLGNH. Katy grew up in Plano, TX. She obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Katy is a licensed Professional Engineer specialized in structural bridge design. Katy currently lives in Hamden, and spends a lot of her free time working on DIY home improvement projects, taking her dog on hikes at nearby parks, and exploring new local restaurants. Her service experience outside of the League includes volunteering to walk dogs with animal rescue organizations, coordinating service opportunities with her employers, leading STEM activities to introduce school-aged girls to engineering, and leadership in her local neighborhood association. She is also an advocate for women's healthcare and LGBTQIA+ rights. You can connect with Katy at: asstfinance@jlgnh.org |