“Life Through Another Lens” features stories of NYJL members, in their own words, to shed light on how we experience the world and the NYJL through different lenses informed by our individual identities. In this edition, NYJL member Liz Beller Staryak offers insights into her journey from growing up at the Junior League as a young child to becoming a member herself, as well as her experiences working in a male-dominated industry and becoming a mother. 

How did you first hear about the New York Junior League?

My mother was a provisional at the Houston Junior League and then after we moved was very involved at the Board level of the Denver Junior League. As a result, I grew up spending a lot of time in the Houston and Denver Junior League houses. One fond memory I have is when they renovated the Denver Junior League Building, the volunteers were boxing up all the items and I was allowed to pop as many bubbles on the wrap bubbles as I wanted as long as I was helping – it made volunteering fun even at a young age!

What have been some of your most formative NYJL memories?

As I came off provisional training, I started my Junior League career on the fundraising side, on a committee called FUNdraisers. As a young professional I did not have a lot of control over my schedule and a couple years into my work on the committee I found out that I would be working night shift. I was able to work with the Chairs to serve as one of the Inventory Vice Chairs for our two signature events: Fall Fete and Bags and Bubbles. It was my first experience of the League meeting a volunteer where she was at. Due to this, I made some of my closest friends on that committee, and even though some have moved away from NYC, I am still very close with a lot of women from my first committee. I think the deep friendships established while volunteering together is one aspect I thoroughly enjoy about being a NYJL member.

Another key memory was in 2021, I had foot surgery that February and was unable to really walk until April. I set a goal of running my very first marathon for Team NYJL, which was very physically demanding due to the recovery. During the race there were 12 different stops along the course where NYJL members gave me love, cheers, and hugs. The love from the larger Junior League community I felt motivated me to run for Team NYJL again this past year. 

Tell us more about your career and what it is like to work in a male-dominated industry.

When I was in high school, my mother said think about what you love and we should pick a job based on that. Following this logic, I picked Lego’s and ended up with an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering. I started my career working internationally on the construction of the new U.S. Embassy in Berlin, however, following the global financial crisis, money to do that sort of project dried up and I decided to move closer to my family. However, since I believe that clean water access should be a human right, I was able to work on a NGO project that brought a potable water supply system to a small village outside Islamabad, Pakistan before moving back to New York in 2009. Once in New York, I was able to transition into work in heavy construction, which includes roads, bridges, and tunnels, where I have been for the past 14 years, as I currently am the Deputy Construction Manager on the Amtrak East River Tunnels Rehabilitation. 

One thing I really enjoy about the League is that while I spend a lot of my professional time talking and interacting with people, there are not enough women in my field. This makes it really special to come to the Astor House and interact with intellectually interesting women. The passion that these women bring to their work is inspiring.

Now that I have a small human, one amazing aspect of the League is that it provides multiple positive role models. If I am going to tell Claire she can be whatever she wants to be, I need to be living that and surrounding her with people who share those values on a daily basis. I hope that the combination of my professional career with my passion for volunteering provides that model. 

How was your transition to motherhood during your time at the League?

I found out that I was pregnant shortly after I got the call that Nominating had selected me for the Board. I ended up speaking with Serra Eken, the incoming President-Elect, and conveyed my concern that I didn’t know what to do; I wanted to continue volunteering with the NYJL and serve on the Board, but being pregnant and having an infant was not something I could really delegate. Serra’s response was amazing! She reminded me that we are an organization that supports women and children – that is our mission. She said that no one should have to step back from a leadership position because they are pregnant. This was very heartinging, because I had not witnessed mothers actively bringing their kids to the house or to meetings. Serra empowered me to do just that and emulate more the model I remember from growing up at the Junior Leagues.

Ultimately, after Claire was born, she came to the Astor House with me about twice a week until she started a regular sleep cycle. The support I felt at Board meetings, the Fall House Tour, CIP ribbon cuttings, bookclub, and cheering on fellow members at the marathon was overwhelming. One thing that was rewarding was how many other mothers came up to me and shared how happy they were that Claire was there because it made our programming feel more inclusive. Being a mother does not mean that you need to step back from the League if you do not want to. I worry that if we don’t meet members where they are at, we will miss out on some really fabulous volunteers. I am so grateful for the support I received on my journey.

What are some of your hobbies?

I met my partner through raising guide dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and we are currently raising our eighth guide dog puppy, Yumi, a female black labrador retriever. I also identify as a runner, and try to run a marathon a year. This year I am running the Berlin Marathon for the Herren Project, a nonprofit that works for people who are recovering from addiction. The Junior League inspired me to try and fundraise on every marathon I run.

When I am not working with my future guide dog or running, I have a really wonderful group of friends that I love to go on NYC dates with. For example, last weekend we explored the Beatrix Potter exhibit at the Morgan Library, and this weekend we are going to the American Museum of Natural History. One of the things I love the most is exploring what New York City has to offer and sharing that with Claire.

What advice would you give newer NYJL members?

Don’t be afraid to push yourself outside your comfort zone. The Junior League has always been a safe place for me to take risks and sometimes fail. Over the past 14 years, I have benefited from the League being at its core, a training organization; you shouldn’t be an expert at everything, otherwise you aren’t growing. I am painfully shy, so I joined a fundraising committee to help me project confidence in public settings. You never know what opportunities will be opened for you, so raise your hand and be open. I would never have met some of my closest friends if I had not branched out. Take the risk! 

READ MORE PROFILES FROM OUR LIFE THROUGH ANOTHER LENS SERIES