Outstanding Volunteer Kathleen Li had almost no fundraising experience when she became Auction vice chair just six months after joining the Winter Ball committee. Over the next seven years on the committee, including two as co-chair and four as a vice chair, she’d say yes to sending hundreds of donation outreach emails, planning out night-of operations, sourcing linens, designing journal ads, and even couriering OS/OV medallions from the jeweler to headquarters.

Li said those experiences taught her the value of adaptability and stepping up wherever needed to help the New York Junior League. In her first year on the Provisional Training committee that she now co-chairs, she used the donation solicitation skills she honed on Winter Ball to create a fundraising make-up assignment still in use today. As a Social Action and Advocacy Council Associate last year, she helped increase interest in those areas by presenting committee highlights to fall provisionals.

She’s also proud of mentoring other women to become leaders, noting that the mentorship of fellow university alumni association volunteer and NYJL Past President Ellen Kratzer Rose was the catalyst for her own journey. 

“Participating in the NYJL’s cycles of mentorship has always been one of the most meaningful aspects of my experience,” Li said. “Building up other volunteers has always been impactful to me and something I’ve tried to carry forward in my work.”

Get to know the 2025 Outstanding Sustainers and Outstanding Volunteers.