Sustainer Spotlight

For Laura Allen, Spartanburg isn’t just where she lives; it’s a community that’s truly become home. 

“I really enjoy living here. There is so much to offer culturally. People are kind and caring,  and there is always something to do,” Allen shared.  

After more than a decade serving as Executive Director of Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, Laura has built both a career and a life rooted in service. Outside of work,  you’ll likely find her playing bridge or Mahjong, staying active at the gym, spending time with her husband and their two rescue pups, or exploring local trails on foot or by bike.  

“Serving on volunteer boards has helped make Spartanburg feel like I’ve been here for a long time,” she added. 

Allen’s Junior League journey spans decades and cities.  

“I joined the Junior League of Spartanburg as a transfer from Nashville in 2014, but my  League life goes back to 1984 when I was a provisional in Boston,” she said.  

Through each move, the League offered a sense of connection and belonging.  

“Every transfer helped me feel part of the community,” Allen said. “I’ve loved being part of  a group of women who give back and make a difference.” 

Her advice to new members is simple, but meaningful: “Don’t quit! Talk to leadership if you’re having a hard time. We’re all understanding,” Allen said. “The League invests in you, and you help make a difference.”  

She also highlights the lifelong value of membership.  

“You may never think you’re going to move, but if you do, there’s probably a League nearby. You’ll meet amazing women, so stick with it.” 

Over the years, Laura has embraced a wide range of leadership roles, including several outside her comfort zone. From chairing advertising sales and volunteer scheduling to creating and leading sustainer luncheons at Decorators’ Showhouses, her impact has been far-reaching. She has served as the sustainer representative to the board, treasurer, and volunteer with Legal Advocates, and has contributed to marketing, fundraising, and community councils. 

“I chaired a provisional class of more than 100 women. That was unforgettable!” Allen said. “I don’t remember every placement, but I do remember that I enjoyed them all.”

Elaine Freeman

For Junior League of Spartanburg Sustainer Elaine Freeman, one provisional assignment sparked a lifetime of impact.

“When I was a provisional, we all had to do a report on a charity in Spartanburg, and I was given the Mental Health Association,” she recalled. “One thing led to another, and I was the head of the Mental Health Association in no time and started Operation Santa Claus.” 

That experience launched her into nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and community work. At just 32, she became Junior League president in 1971, which was considered very young at the time.

“You never know where it will lead you,” Freeman said. “If you feel sometimes like it’s more than you want to do, don’t stop. Do it anyway.” 

Through the Association of Junior Leagues International, Freeman went on to serve as Area Director and Treasurer, working with Price Waterhouse and helping guide financial strategy across Leagues. She later founded the ETV Endowment of South Carolina in 1977 and led it for more than three decades.

“I wrote a Management by Objective plan, all of which the Junior League had trained me to do,” Freeman said. 

Freeman remains deeply active at 90. Even after a recent new aortic valve and pacemaker, she continues serving on boards, singing in her church choir, and supporting causes like the Franklin School.

“I am determined that I’m going to continue to be as independent as I can be for as long as I can be.” 

She credits the Junior League with shaping both her skills and her friendships.

“I didn’t have the training that I needed to be able to be an executive, and the Junior League gave me that training,” she said. 

Her advice to today’s members is simple.

“Continue to make time in your life for volunteerism,” Freeman advised. “Don’t stop. Do it anyway.” 

Freeman continues to give back through an annual gift, honoring the organization that helped define her path.

“The Junior League started my professional life and my voluntary life, too.”

Colleen Rice

Colleen Rice’s connection to Spartanburg began when she arrived from Florida to attend Wofford College. 

“I am not from Spartanburg. I came here from Florida to attend Wofford College,” Rice said. “After finishing my degree as a biology major, I decided to stay in Spartanburg for a few months and leverage the excellent Wofford Alumni network here to find my first post-college job.” 

Her career has remained rooted in healthcare. “I have a Master’s in healthcare administration from MUSC and have worked in healthcare my entire career,” she said. “Five  years ago, an opportunity arose to work for Microsoft supporting their healthcare business across the U.S., so every day I get to work with some of our largest healthcare payers, providers, medtech, pharm, and life sciences companies as they work to digitally transform healthcare.” 

Rice joined the Junior League of Spartanburg in 2009 while building her life in a new city. “I  joined the League in 2009, fresh out of college, knowing very few people in Spartanburg and hoping to find like-minded women who also cared about philanthropy and leadership,”  she said. “I became a sustainer in 2022 after 12 years of service.” 

Reflecting on the impact of the League, Rice said, “The League taught me the power of influential leadership —leading people who don’t report to you, but whose success is still connected to yours. It’s a skill that shows up in every part of life.” She added, “Post-COVID reminded us that without members, there is no League.” 

Her advice to new members focuses on connections. “Build relationships—real ones,”  Rice said. “They expose you to things you’d never learn if you only stick with people your own age.” 

Rice served in leadership throughout her active years. “My first active year, I co-chaired  Santa’s Soirée, and I stayed in leadership every year until becoming a Sustainer,” she said.  “I chaired Santa’s Shoppe for its 25th anniversary, served as treasurer, held several finance roles, and led the provisional/new member class and ultimately served as President in 2018–2019.”

Stephanie Tillerson

For Stephanie Tillerson, Spartanburg was more than a place to live. It was a place to grow,  serve, and lead. 

“Spartanburg was my home for nearly a decade, a place where I planted deep roots and forged friendships that endure to this day,” Tillerson said. “During those years, I immersed myself in civic life, serving on various boards and community organizations. It was there that I discovered the Junior League of Spartanburg. My involvement deepened over time,  and I was eventually honored to be nominated and elected President for the 2012–2013  League year, serving alongside an extraordinary group of women.” 

Her path to the League began long before she arrived in South Carolina. “I joined the Junior  League of Spartanburg in 2006, though my connection to the organization traces back much further, to a single afternoon in Lansing, Michigan, where I grew up,” she said.  “When I was about twelve or thirteen, I attended a program sponsored by the Junior League of Lansing. I remember watching those women and being struck by their warmth, their joy,  and their genuine enthusiasm for spending time with us young girls.” 

That experience left a lasting impression. “As a young Black girl, I quietly wondered whether the Junior League was a place I could ever belong,” Tillerson said. “Still, I made a promise to myself that if I ever had the opportunity to join, I would. Years later, life brought me to Spartanburg, and those childhood memories resurfaced. Joining the Junior League of  Spartanburg was that fulfillment, a full-circle moment I will always treasure.” 

Following her presidency and transition to sustainer status in 2013, her commitment to service continued to evolve. “I channeled my passion for service into Women Giving, a  Spartanburg philanthropic organization,” she said. “In 2015, I accepted the position of  Town Administrator for the Town of Kiawah Island, a role that brought me to Charleston  and one I am proud to still hold today.” 

Though her career and studies have taken her elsewhere, Spartanburg remains close to her heart. “Though Charleston is now home, Spartanburg remains close to my heart,” Tillerson said. “I return often to visit dear friends, carrying with me the lessons and relationships I  cultivated during my years there.” 

Reflecting on her League experience, she shared, “Through years of membership and leadership, the League cultivated in me a deeper commitment to service and strengthened my belief that I could effect meaningful change, not only in my own life but in the communities I am privileged to call home. What the League gave me, ultimately, was  purpose refined by action.” 

Her advice for new members is both thoughtful and encouraging. “Give yourself permission to find your place,” Tillerson said. “Above all, remember that your voice matters. Your ideas matter. The League flourishes because of the unique perspectives and passions each member contributes. Do not hold back. Speak up, lean in, and trust that you belong here.” 

Elizabeth-Kelly Pope

Elizabeth-Kelly Pope may have only recently transferred to the Junior League of  Spartanburg, but her League journey began years ago. 

“I grew up in Spartanburg and attended Wofford College. After graduating, I moved to  Greenville and joined the Junior League of Greenville in 2010,” Pope said. “I recently  transferred to JLS now that I live a little closer to Spartanburg (Greer) and mostly work (and teach Mahjong) in the Spartanburg area.” 

Her League experience has taken her through multiple leadership roles and created meaningful personal and professional growth along the way. “My time with the League has given me a lot of leadership training and opportunities, which allowed me to easily transition to nonprofit and public service roles when I decided to leave my corporate job after getting married and thinking about starting a family,” Pope said. “It also gave me a lot of great friends!” 

She has remained deeply engaged, serving in a wide range of placements.  

“I am now a Sustainer, but previously served as Junior Volunteers Chair, Board  Corresponding Secretary, Fund Development VP, Nominating Committee member, Social Media Chair, Active Advisor, and as a writer for the JLG Update,” she said. 

For new members, her advice is to embrace everything the League has to offer.  

“I would tell new members to make the most of the experience and use it to try new things. I got to learn and try new skills by volunteering with committees that were outside of my normal wheelhouse.” 

Kerry Easler

“We are all better as one.”

Kerry Easler, a lifelong Spartanburg County resident and longtime Junior League of Spartanburg member, chose to join our organization after attending Converse University (previously Converse College).

“I was presented with leadership opportunities [at Converse College] and took advantage of everything I could,” Easler said. “JLS felt like a natural fit after Converse. It was an organization that helped train women leaders, all while assisting others in the community who needed help. It was a great way to be involved in the community and pave the way for the next generation of leaders.”

Easler served in several roles in Junior League, including Community Research Chair, Christmas in April Chair (now Rebuilding Together Spartanburg), Project Development Co-Chair and Chair, Training Committee, and the Cookbook Committee. Currently, she serves on the Converse Alumni Association Board and works as the Program Coordinator in the Community Development Department for Spartanburg County. Easler also serves as the Spartanburg Chapter Leader of the Period Project, which provides menstrual products to more than 70 schools in Spartanburg County and dozens of agencies.

“We are extremely thankful to have a partnership with the JLS to help get supplies into the hands of those who need it the most,” Easler said.

The League has helped Easler on a personal level as well.

“Like Converse, JLS gave me leadership opportunities. It also gave me the opportunity to see areas in our community that needed our help and ways to provide that help. You learned you couldn’t do everything, but you could do something. As a collective body we could do a lot,” Easler said.

Her advice for new members? Get involved!

“Attend events that are a little out of your comfort zone. Meet new people. Be the one who helps others feel connected and included,” Easler said. “We are all better as one.”

Meredith Gergley

For Meredith Gergley, community involvement has always been more than just something  to do, it’s a way of life. 

“I am a proud mother of three amazing young adults,” Gergley said. “My daughter,  Adrianna, is finishing her first year of med school at MUSC. My middle son, Andrew, has  graduated from the University of SC, and as his first full-time job (although still on my payroll), my youngest is starting his junior year at Byrnes High School in the Scholars Program at USC Upstate.” 

Gergley has built a 25-year career with Accenture, where she now oversees all client  meetings for the company’s Global CEO. However, her high-powered role doesn’t stop her  from philanthropy and helping Spartanburg County.  

“I have a passion for volunteering and giving back to the community. The biggest reward is seeing that I have instilled volunteering in my kids,” Gergley said. “I am currently serving on the Spartanburg District 5 Board of Trustees and stay busy spending time with the kids on the weekends.” 

Her Junior League journey has taken her across several cities and chapters, from Charlotte to Rock Hill to Spartanburg.  

“I originally joined JLS because that is what young women did and I knew it was a honor to apply and be accepted by the league,” she said. After time in Charlotte and Rock Hill,  where she launched the Spring Vendor Market and later became President-Elect, Gergley returned to Spartanburg in 2009. “My two most rewarding roles were Provisional Lead and President of the Junior League of Spartanburg.” 

“The league has given me opportunities in Spartanburg, friendships, and professional  growth,” she said. “I am honored to have served as President in 2013 with amazing women  who share the same goals for our community as well as training women to be leaders.” 

Her advice for new members?  

“Our community needs our time and talents,” Gergley said. “You will get out what you put in.”

Leah Bacon-Anderson

Leah Bacon-Anderson isn’t a native of Spartanburg County, but that’s what made the  Junior League of Spartanburg that much more appealing.

“When I first moved to the Upstate, I had no roots in Spartanburg and felt a bit rudderless,” Bacon-Anderson said. “My sister-in-law, Cheri Hucks, a former JLS president, encouraged me to explore the Junior League as a way to get involved in the  community.” 

Bacon-Anderson moved to Spartanburg in 2009 after marrying her husband, Patrick, and joined the Provisional Class that year, quickly meeting women who are now some of her closest friends today. 

“I credit so much of my personal and professional growth to the opportunities the  League provided. Experiences that I never would have expected—like writing a  children’s book for our community literacy project or creating a charm for AJLI,” she said. “Whether it was gaining insight into our community’s needs or building  relationships with a group of dedicated, talented women, my experiences in the League  were truly empowering.” 

Over the years, her career has taken her on a journey from nonprofit work to corporate media to higher education. Today, she is Chief of Staff at Converse University, mom to James, 12, and Pierce, 7, and an active sustainer in the League. She’s served as Communications Chair, Santa Shoppe Auction Chair, and President. Her advice to new members? Jump in.  

“Our community needs your voice, your time, and your energy. Say yes. Jump in. Cast  your stone through the opportunities and experiences the League offers. I promise that  when you look back, you’ll see that you made a difference and found yourself transformed as well.” 

Know a sustainer who’d like to be featured in our JLS eblasts? Reach out to  communications@jlspartanburg.org to tell us who you think should be featured next!