NCBF Leadership | 2026-2027 Officers

MEET OUR EXTRAORDINARY TEAM OF PASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS.

WE'RE HERE TO SERVE OUR MEMBERS

Our leadership is chosen across the country with one goal in mind: to represent your needs to the National Conference of Bar Foundations.

Jessie Reeves

PRESIDENT

Jessie Reeves

Jessie Reeves, Director of Events & Administration, Illinois Bar Foundation

DeLaine Ward

PRESIDENT ELECT

DeLaine Ward

Executive Director, Austin Bar Foundation and Austin Bar Association

Laura Sanford

TREASURER

Laura Sanford

Washington State Bar Foundation
Foundation Administrator

Carey Shoufler, Development Director and the Law Related Education Director, Idaho Law Foundation

SECRETARY

Carey Shoufler 2026 (1)

Development Director and the Law Related Education Director
Idaho Law Foundation

Sang Yup Lee

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Sang Yup Lee

Director of Development, Chicago Bar Foundation

The Honorable Carl Butkus

BOARD MEMBER

THE HONORABLE CARL BUTKUS 2027 (1)

Past-President
New Mexico State Bar Foundation

Susan Duncan, Executive Director of the Kentucky Bar Foundation

BOARD MEMBER

Susan Duncan 2027 (1)

Executive Director
Kentucky Bar Foundation

Board Member

Beth Filla 2029 (1)

Executive Director, Smith County Bar Foundation

Aracelis Gray Director of Programs DC Bar Foundation

Board Member

Aracelis Gray 2028 (1)

Director of Programs
DC Bar Foundation

Dawn Hathcock, Executive Director Alabama Law Foundation

BOARD MEMBER

Dawn Hathcock 2027 (1)

Executive Director
Alabama Law Foundation

Jessica Hillburn Holmes

Board Member

Jessica Hilburne-Holmes 2028 (1)

Executive Director
Philadelphia Bar Foundation l Equal Justice Center

Board Member

Jennifer Karnik 2029 (1)

Director of Strategic Partnerships, Cleveland Metro Bar Foundation

Erikka Ryan, Erikka Ryan, Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Foundations Minnesota State Bar Association | Hennepin County Bar Association | Ramsey County Bar Association

BOARD MEMBER

Erikka Ryan 2028 (1)

Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Foundations
Minnesota State Bar Association |
Hennepin County Bar Association |
Ramsey County Bar Association

Mandy Peterson-Tice, Executive Director, Birmingham Bar Foundation

BOARD MEMBER

Mandy Peterson-Tice 2029 (1)

Executive Director, Birmingham Bar Foundation

Dr. Sharra Wagner, NCBF

BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Sharra Wagner 2027 (2)

Former Foundation Director
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation

Past Presidents

  • Sang Yup Lee (2025-2026)
  • Baillie Milliken (2024-2025)
  • Beth McElroy (2023-2024)
  • Daniel Burns (2022-2023)
  • Thomas Tinder (2021-2022)
  • James Huggler (2020-2021)
  • Mary Groth (2019-2020)
  • Andrea Stone (2018-2019)
  • Leslie R. Barineau (2017-2018)
  • Lorrie K. Albert (2016-17)
  • Leonard Pataki (2015-16)
  • Elizabeth Lynch (2014-15)
  • Courtney Ward-Reichard (2013-14)
  • Amy Sings In The Timber (2012-13)
  • Stephen E. Chappelear (2011-12)
  • Tom Tinder (2010-11)
  • Christine Hickey (2009-10)
  • Briana Wagner (2008-09)
  • Pauline Gee (2007-09)
  • Bob Glaves (2005-07)
  • Jerome J. Shestack (2004-05)
  • Linda L. Thompson Kohli (2003-04)
  • Dee Miller Siegel (2002-03)
  • Anne R. Yeakel (2001-02)
  • Dorothy M. Tucker (2000-01)
  • Charles Thone (1999-00)
  • Kathleen Schoene (1998-99)
  • Marion Smithberger (1997-98)
  • Jerry Lastelick (1996-97)
  • Robert H. Oliver (1995-96)
  • Michael P. Gunn (1994-95)
  • Jane E. Curran (1993-94)
  • Dermot S. McGlinchey (1992-93)
  • Howard Karman (1991-92)
  • Merrily Munthe (1990-91)
  • Jack B. Middleton (1989-90)
  • Donna C. Willard (1988-89)
  • C. Harker Rhodes, Jr. (1987-88)
  • Rodney H. Grove (1985-87)
  • Gordon Sinykin (1983-85)
  • Herndon P. Jeffreys, Jr. (1981-83)
  • Thomas G. Gonser (1979-81)
  • William R. Van Aken (1977-79)

ITALICS INDICATE DECEASED

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