TOPEKA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director, Membership Experience
Jessica joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2018. Her first two years in League were spent as the Recruitment Coordinator and she is currently serving as the Director of Membership Experience.
Jessica was born and raised in Kansas City, MO and moved to Topeka in college to play softball at Washburn University where she met her husband and earned her bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She is currently an Associate Vice President of Life Sales and Marketing at Advisors Excel where she has spent the last 12 years. Jessica enjoys volunteering her time at Project Topeka, Ronald McDonald House and Harvesters.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys "helping" her husband with home improvement projects and spending as much time as possible with her toddler son.
Jill Gary joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2017 and is currently serving as the Executive Secretary. Jill previously served a few years on the Leadership Development and Funding Development Councils and then two years as the Obligations and Recognitions Chair on the Leadership Development Council.
Jill received a Master of Accountancy degree with a Minor in Leadership from Kansas State University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and worked at a public accounting firm for five years before moving to private accounting at Wolf Construction, Inc., where she currently serves as the Financial Manager.
Jill and her husband have three children. They served as the 2017 Annual Fund Co-Chairs for their children's school. Jill also Co-Chaired the 2021 and the 2022 Annual Celebration Auction at their school. In her free time, she enjoys getting to spend additional time with her children by volunteering in their lunchroom, driving for field trips, and volunteering for special events. Jill also loves traveling and spending time outside with her family whether it be at the pool, the lake, the beach, or their yard.
Job Titles:
- Director of Sustainer Relations
Laine Hash was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. She graduated from Kansas State University in 2005 with the Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communications - her emphasis was Public Relations and she minored in Business. Laine has been a Realtor in the Topeka Community for over 12 years. Laine has served on the Sunflower Association of Realtors board and on our Multiple Listing Service board. She enjoys helping the association to protect property owners' rights. Laine was awarded the 2019 Distinguished Associate of the Year Award for her professionalism, service to the Board and service to the community.
Laine began her League service in 2010. She was the Director of Membership Development and then later served on the Board as the VP of Membership. She now serves on the Board as the Director of Sustainer Relations and enjoys connecting past and present League members together for social and philanthropic activities. Laine and her husband have two children that attend public schools in the Topeka area. In her free time, Laine runs kids to their activities and enjoys spending time with family and friends at the lake.
Job Titles:
- President
- President of the Junior League
Laura Harrison is the President of the Junior League of Topeka. She joined the Junior League of Topeka in 2019. She started as a committee member on the Fund Development Committee. From there she moved on to Executive Secretary and then VP of Nominating. Most recently she served as President-Elect.
Laura has her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and is currently a second-grade teacher in a local school district. She served on her school's leadership team for 7 years and has ran many clubs after school for students to participate in.
Laura and her husband, Rob, have been married 10 years. They have four children and enjoy spending time together. They currently coach their son's soccer team. When they aren't busy running to activities they enjoy hiking, kayaking and swimming. Laura can often be found reading a book by the lake and watching the kids play!
Job Titles:
- Sustaining Advisor to the President
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President
- Troop Leader
Rockell joined Junior League of Topeka in 2019 with enthusiasm and passion to give back to the community, grow professionally, and make new friendships. Rockell served on the Funding Development Council before her Treasurer position and has participated in several different projects and volunteer opportunities within the league such as writing for the Capital Impact Magazine, LBDI, baking for CASA, and serving on the DEI committee.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Nominating
Job Titles:
- Director, Community Impact