2025-2026 League Year 

President: Pleschette Fontenet – president@jlpdx.org

Pleschette has been a member of the Junior League of Portland, since moving from Austin, TX in 2015. She has served as a Small Group Leader, Assistant Chair for Community Connections, two terms as Membership Director, Nominating Committee, two terms as Treasurer, President-elect and a member of the BIPOC Racial Justice Committee. She participates in board service with Friends of the Children and is the current board chair for Friends of the Columbia Gorge. She is a former Trustee on the Legacy Health’s Good Samaritan Foundation Board, and currently serves on the grants committee. She has served on the board of directors for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Portland & SW Washington.  In her professional life, she is a Regional Sales Director for Lenovo, and has spent over 26 years in the technology sector.

She is a 2025 Portland Business Journal Woman of Influence honoree, The Junior League’s Top 40 Women Over 40 awardee, and an Association of Junior Leagues International(AJLI) Notable Woman. Her hobbies include traveling, hiking, reading, wine tasting, exploring new restaurants, and nurturing life-giving relationships.

#WhyIJL: I joined the league to learn more about the community needs of my new city through volunteering, and I had an interest in meeting others. I moved here with a remote position and worked from home. It has been an honor serving with JLP, and cultivating life long relationships with amazing women seeking impactful change.

Secretary: Ebony Lewis – secretary@jlpdx.org

Ebony is the Director of Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development at Northwest Permanente, the medical group of Kaiser Permanente, where she has built her career since 2005. Originally from Southern California, her journey has taken her from Los Angeles to Oakland and now to the Pacific Northwest, where she settled in 2023. She jokes that she is “following the water,” inspired by her love of paddleboarding in Portland. Ebony is deeply committed to community impact and civic leadership. She currently serves as Vice President of The Rosie the Riveter Trust. She is also an advisor to the diversity committee for the Friends of the Columbia Gorge and a supporter of the National Association of Health Services Executives Pacific Northwest. She has held numerous leadership roles with the Junior League of Los Angeles and the Junior League of Oakland. Previously, Ebony served for eight years on the California Architects Board, appointed by Governor Brown and reappointed by Governor Newsom. She also helped launch junior boards for the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles and Imagine LA and was a founding board member of Black Los Angeles Young Democrats.

Ebony holds a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola Marymount University, a Certificate in Health Care Management and Leadership from UCLA, and a Master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Southern California. She has also completed leadership development through the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute and the African American Board Leadership Institute. Ebony is a certified coach, having completed training through the NeuroLeadership Institute, Leadership Circle, Inner Glow Circle, and the Positive Intelligence program. Her education and experience equip her to support individuals in achieving their goals, leading with intention, and realizing their full potential.

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Treasurer: Alicia Gruber – treasurer@jlpdx.org

 Alicia Gruber joined the Junior League of Portland in 2020 to build connections during COVID-19 and her husband’s military deployment. She has been an active member, serving on the DEI, Marcom, and Climate Justice committees, and is excited to continue her role as treasurer for the 2025-2026 leagueyear.

Professionally, Alicia is a certified Project Manager, and has experience working with municipal governments doing project and program management for capital construction and technology projects.

 In addition to JLP Alicia volunteers with the Beaverton School District through ArtLit and Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB).  In her free time, she enjoys traveling (especially anywhere Disney or book related) building Legos, reading and spending time with her daughter, husband, and Goldendoodle. 

Executive Vice President: Dr.Charity True – evp@jlpdx.org

Dr. Charity True joined the Junior League of Beaumont, TX in 2015, before transferring to the Junior League of Portland in 2023. She has held various leadership roles throughout her Junior League tenure, with the most recent being the Rose City Summit Committee Chair 2024-2025. She’s excited to move into a more strategic role and serve on the board as Executive Vice President for 2025-2026.

As a Learning and Development Professional, Charity brings over 22 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, operational excellence, performance management and professional development.. Charity holds her Doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University, with her research focusing on the lived experiences of Women Veterans. Charity served for ten years as an Officer in the US Navy and is a strong advocate for Women Veterans and the challenges they face in and out of the Military.

In her personal life, Charity loves to travel, spending as much time as she can with her family and friends spread across the country. She enjoys getting outside and taking advantage of all the PNW has to offer, including going wine-tasting, taking spontaneous road trips, finding fun new spots to eat and spoiling her mob of Great Danes.

#WhyIJL: I came to the Junior League a decade ago to meet like-minded women while giving back to my community. I remained because of the amazing friendships I have made and the opportunities the League has given me to drive positive change while growing and developing as a leader.

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Community Vice President: Anne Thielman- communityvp@jlpdx.org

Membership Experience Vice President: Cayce Renshall – membershipvp@jlpdx.org

Cayce Renshall is a dedicated community leader and passionate advocate for volunteerism. Since joining the Junior League three years ago, she has served on the Member Connections committee and, most recently, as Chair of the Signature Project committee, where she played a pivotal role in helping towards getting Portland Bee City certified. Her commitment to service was recognized with the prestigious 2024-25 Volunteer of the Year award.

A proud Xavier University alum, Cayce earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees there and remains a diehard Xavier basketball fan. Professionally, she has built a successful career in technology sales, earning the esteemed President’s Club Award for both her sales performance and volunteer contributions.

Beyond her professional and community engagements, Cayce finds joy in traveling the world, with scuba diving as her true passion. Whether exploring the depths of the ocean or making an impact in her community, she brings energy, dedication, and enthusiasm to everything she does.

Development Vice President: Carrie Noble – developmentvp@jlpdx.org

Fernanda Gwinner: Treasurer-Elect– treasurerelect@jlpdx.org

Fernanda joined the Junior League of Portland in 2014 and has embraced leadership roles that drive impact—from chairing the inaugural Rose City Summit to leading the Stop Human Trafficking Committee, where she spearheaded the League’s first Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Now, she’s thrilled to bring her passion for service and strategic vision to the Board as Treasure-elect for the 2025–2026 year.

A dentist by training (with an MA and PhD), Fernanda pivoted to nonprofit fundraising, crediting the Junior League for equipping her with the skills to thrive in her current role as Philanthropy Officer at Friends of the Columbia Gorge. Whether securing resources to protect the region’s natural beauty or advocating for community causes, she blends analytical rigor with a relational approach to create meaningful change.

When not working or volunteering, Fernanda can be found outdoors—sailing the Columbia with her husband and two sons, Zach and Noah; hiking the Gorge; or sharing laughter with friends. A natural problem-solver and connector, she’s always ready to roll up her sleeves and help however she can.

#WhyIJL: “I joined the League to grow as a leader and amplify my impact. A decade later, it’s the friendships, the collective purpose, and the chance to keep learning that fuel my commitment. This organization transforms communities—and it’s transformed me too.”

Board Assistant: Alisha Sherman – boardassistant@jlpdx.org

Alisha is passionate about giving back. Since 2022, she’s been an active member of the Junior League of Portland, first proudly serving on the DEI committee, then serving as Board Assistant for the past year. Now, she’s back at it to serve again as our trusted board assistant for the 2025-2026 term. Whether she’s organizing behind the scenes or rallying volunteers for community init

iatives, Alisha is always ready to pitch in and make a difference.

Alisha Sherman is a dedicated real estate professional with 8 years of experience helping clients navigate the ever-evolving housing market in Oregon and Washington. Known for her sharp instincts, creative problem-solving, and warm personality, Alisha brings both expertise and heart to every transaction.

With a strong commitment to service—both to her clients and her community—Alisha is all about connection, collaboration, and making people feel at home, wherever they are.

Sustainer Representative to the Board: Kelsie Davis – sustainer@jlpdx.org

Kelsie Davis joined the Junior League of Portland in 2012 and has held leadership roles including New Member Vice Chair, Recruitment Chair, and Donor Relations Chair. Since transitioning to Sustainer status after the 2016–2017 League year, she’s honored to represent this vital membership segment on the 2024–2025 Board of Directors.

As a Principal Consultant and Certified Project Manager, Kelsie brings 15+ years of experience leading strategic initiatives in real estate strategy, capital projects, and organizational change. Her diverse career spans pharmaceuticals, apparel, consumer goods, and construction—focusing on aligning people, space, and strategy to drive growth and transformation.

Outside of work, Kelsie enjoys traveling, exploring local food and wine scenes, and designing warm, inviting spaces blending new and vintage pieces. Antiquing has been a lifelong passion—a tradition she now shares with her husband. Both are proud Beaver Believers and alumni of the Oregon State University Honors College, where she earned her H.B.S. in Chemistry.

#WhyIJL: As a Portland native, I joined to grow as a leader, give back to my community, and connect with inspiring women. More than a decade later, the relationships, growth, and shared purpose continue to energize me.