Board of Directors

Every member of our board is a thought leader who has made significant contributions to our community. Each brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization. 

Ashlee Connelly

Co-President 

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    I am a pediatric nurse practitioner and mother of three wonderful children. While not at work or home, I enjoy rides on my peloton and drinking iced coffee at Starbucks. 


    I joined the Lemont Junior Woman's club as a means to volunteer and be more involved in the community. What I didn't expect was meeting so many amazing and talented women who also shared the same drive to help others as me. My first experience with the club was volunteering at Breakfast with Santa and I was overjoyed to be a part of this event and see so many happy families creating memories together.

Jane McCague

Co-President 

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    I'm a stay-at-home mom of three kiddos (5, 3, and 1) and you can usually find me out in my yard trying to garden while chasing after kids :)  I really enjoy being outside, volunteering in the community, and avoiding cooking.  


    I joined LJWC back in 2020 (I was the only member who attended the September 2020 general meeting in person along with the board haha).  I have really enjoyed getting to know other ladies through LJWC and especially enjoy our Scarecrow Trail in September/October. 

Sandy Corona

Secretary 

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    I am a mother to 4 year old boy-girl twins, Ella & Elijah & have been married to my husband Rich for 8 years. I am a partner at my law firm in downtown Chicago where I practice personal injury law on behalf of injured people. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, reading, and watching bad reality tv.


    I joined the LJWC in July 2022. I have had so many wonderful experiences with the LJWC but some of the highlights include joining the book club, volunteering at Breakfast with Santa, and having a blast at Casino night. I am so excited to be on the board this year and look forward to meeting many more people and creating many more memories. 

Amy Padua

Treasurer 

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    I have three children and have been married for 8 years. I grew up in Lemont and moved back after college. I enjoy checking out the new restaurants and shops downtown and volunteering for Ruby Whiskers Animal Rescue. 


    I joined the LJWC in November 2021. My favorite activity was volunteering for Breakfast with Santa. 

Caroline Warren

Community Outreach Chair

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    I grew up in St. Louis, MO, the youngest of 3 kids, where I was somehow simultaneously a mathelete, local soccer star, and likely the coolest kid to voluntarily play in the orchestra. I relocated to Chicago for general surgery residency, and met my husband through a friend in the program. We moved to Lemont because he wanted a yard for our very-spoiled ShihTzu, but now we have 1-year-old-twin daughters so the move makes a lot more sense. In my non-LJWC time, I own Contour MedSpa in Lemont. 


    I joined LJWC in Jan/Feb 2020. So, as we are emerging from COVID and doing more in-person activities, I’m meeting so many more of you! My favorite thing about the club in my time is the creation of the inclusive playground at Centennial Park. Projects like this make me so proud to be a part of a group that contributes so meaningfully to the community. And, selfishly, its nice to have a plaque there, commemorating my late father, that I can visit and have a space to tell my girls stories about their grandpa.

Shannon Kazmierczak

Community Outreach Co-Chair

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    I am the Outreach Services Manager at the Lemont Public Library and have been a librarian for over 20 years and truly want to try and participate in making the community where I live amazing. I have two teenage boys who play a lot of baseball and my husband owns a chocolate factory (yes I'm married to a taller darker version of Willie Wonka).


    I joined the LJWC in February of 2023 after living in Lemont for just under three years. My favorite experience, so far, was being able to jump in and be a part of the group right away. I attended the Mental Health Symposium, helped with the Hope Closet, donated cleaning supplies to people in need, and found some like minded people who I look forward to working with!

Kathy Perdue

Juniorettes Chair 

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    I’m a working mom of 3 wonderful kiddos.  


    I joined LJWC in August 2020 via Zoom. My favorite activity that the club participates in is Breakfast with Santa.  I find it extremely rewarding to mentor the ideas of the Lemont Juniorettes (age 12-18). 

Carolina Neal

Juniorettes Co-Chair

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    I am newish to Lemont. My husband, 7 year old, twin 3 year olds and I moved here in July 2021. When I am not running all three kids to all of their activities, I am an Assistant State’s Attorney in the sexual assault and domestic violence unit. Want to know to more about me….invite me for a glass of wine! 


    I joined LJWC in September 2022. There are too many activities that I enjoyed to just pick one. I would say my top events would be the cocktail mixing with Pollyanna Social, Bake and Bond and representing LJWC at the Bunny Trail. 

Danyelle Andrews

Membership Chair

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    I joined the LJWC in 2020 and am excited to serve as the membership chair this year. My favorite LJWC volunteering has been at Movies in the Park and Legacy Ranch photos and my favorite membership event was attending the Sox game last year. 


    I live in Fordham Hill Estates (by Northview Park) and keep busy as a Mom and Entrepreneur and you'll see me around town volunteering for LJWC, Girl Scouts and Pregnancy After Loss Support. 

Megan Eames

Membership Co-Chair

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    Coming soon.

Alex Prodehl

Philanthropy Chair

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    I joined the LJWC in May of 2021 after attending a New Member event with current member and former Philanthropy Chair, Alison Parker. I was intrigued by the vast personalities in this Club and was happy to join after a few years of hesitation since I have lived in Lemont for over 13 years. I joined the Philanthropy Committee and just two years later I earned my spot as Chair. 


    I spend my time outside of the LJWC with my husband, daughter and son enjoying the surrounding areas in our RV,  her name is Fred. Music and reading are also two things I cannot live without, listening to California pop punk and reading gothic horror or Stephen King is how I spend any other free time.

Melissa Fischer

Philanthropy Co-Chair

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    I’m a lifelong Lemonter, now raising my three children here with my husband. As a freelance writer with past roles in the public library and philanthropic worlds, I look forward to supporting the Lemont community through the work of the woman's club. I enjoy drinking coffee (and wine), attempting fun outings with all three kids in tow, and trying to put a dent in my neverending to-be-read booklist.


    I joined LJWC in 2022. I have been excited to learn about LJWC's community clothing closet and the impact it can have thanks to generous donations of gently used clothes, shoes, and coats.

Debbie Prendergast

Ways & Means Chair 

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    I spend my days working at my family company that my grandfather started in 1952. I love to spend time with my daughter and husband, Joe (and, my amazing friends). And, on the rare occasion I have any free time (ha, what's that?) I love to play golf. 


    I joined the LJWC in April 2022. I have loved getting to know all of the wonderful women of Lemont, through the LJWC. We have an amazing group of powerhouse women volunteering to make a positive impact on the world. I am blown away every day at the work that the LJWC women put in on a daily basis; it is so inspiring. 

Joy Jacobson

Ways & Means Co-Chair 

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    I am a proud Mom of two beautiful girls (Olivia and Julia) and wife to Adam. I work full-time as the CFO for Burke America Parts Group, and I'm always interested in opportunities to learn and grow as a person! Also...big fan of Peloton and daily exercise! 


    I joined the LJWC in the Fall of 2022. I have enjoyed getting to know other members and participating in the fun club events!! 

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