Abigail Lynch
President
president.jslb@gmail.com
Abigail has been a proud member of JSLB since 2019. The Junior Service League of Beaufort has offered the best of both worlds for Abigail. Fulfilling her passion to give back to the Lowcountry community as well as forming friendships with other amazing JSLB members.
Abigail previously served as President Elect during the 2021-2022 league year, overseeing all fundraiser events. Abigail was the 2020 Touch-A-Truck chairwoman dedicated to hosting a beloved community event safely in the middle of COVID pandemic. Abigail was voted “Member of the Year” in 2021 by her peers.
This Kentucky girl obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Nutrition & Dietetics at Western Kentucky University and Eastern Kentucky University. Currently works as a Clinical Dietitian at Beaufort Memorial Hospital providing both inpatient and outpatient services. In her free time, you will rarely find her without her pup Ruby by her side, reading or trying to perfect different recipes.
Emily Kremer
President-Elect
presidentelect.jslb@gmail.com
Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Emily moved to the Lowcountry in 2019. Emily joined the league in 2020 to give back to her new community and make friends with like minded women. Last year Emily was the prom boutique chair and this year, Emily is serving as the President Elect on the Board.
In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her family, baking, participating in community events and crafting.
Diana Newman
Financial Vice President
financialvp.jslb@gmail.com
Diana Newman has lived in the Lowcountry since 2010, but grew up moving around the world as a military child. Maryland will always be her home base, but she is happy to raise her eleven and [almost] eight year old sons in beautiful Beaufort. Diana received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics in 2005 from Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland.
Diana joined the League in 2018 when she wanted to meet more women in Beaufort and find more opportunities to serve her community. This is her second time serving on the Board of Directors and she is excited to put her math skills to use this year as the Financial Vice President. She is currently a math interventionist at Bridges Preparatory School, but has also taught math at Beaufort Academy, Beaufort Middle School, as well as schools in both Maryland and Florida.
In her spare time, you can catch Diana taking her two sons around the Lowcountry on new adventures, wining and dining with friends, or making TikToks as comedic relief.
Katie Herrera
Appropriations Director
appropriations.jslb@gmail.com
Katie Herrera is a recent transplant to the Lowcountry after moving here with her Navy spouse. Originally from Jacksonville, FL, she has also lived in Scotland, Virginia, Hawaii, Mozambique, and various cities in Florida and South Carolina. Katie graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a Bachelors of Science in Marine Science. Katie is currently the Stormwater Manager for Beaufort County. She has fallen in love with Beaufort so much so her husband is leaving the military to stay to enjoy all that the lowcountry has to offer.
Katie joined the league in 2019 to make an impact on her community, and to meet like minded individuals. The 2022-2023 year is her second year serving on the Board. She looks forward to serving the league in her role as the Appropriations Director.
In her free time, Katie enjoys traveling, spending time with her dogs and husband, and enjoying delicious food and wine with friends. You can catch her on the weekends chasing sunrises and sunsets, and during low tide looking for shark teeth at Sands Beach in Port Royal.
Laurel Ann Sams
Service Chair
service.jslb@gmail.com
Laurel Ann Sams moved to Beaufort in 2021 from Spartanburg SC. She attended Wofford College and
obtained a degree in Psychology. After graduation she took a gap year and attended Sherman College of
Chiropractic.
She practices at Beaufort Chiropractic and teaches as adjunct faculty for USC Beaufort part time. She
joined the Junior Service League in 2021 upon moving to Beaufort. Previously she had been a member of
Junior League of Spartanburg and Junior League of Wilmington. Every league has provided lifelong
friends and the ability to give back to the community. This is her first year on the board and is looking
forward to a fantastic league year!
Lainey Powell
Member at Large
mal.jslb@gmail.com
Lainey Powell is a transplant to the Lowcountry after moving to Savannah in 2017, following her family’s move in 2015. She met her husband in Beaufort and the rest is history. Lainey graduated from La Roche College (now University) in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in English.
Lainey joined the league in 2021 with a desire to meet new people and has enjoyed it ever since. The league has brought many like-minded women into her life all working towards the same purpose of giving back to their community. 2022-2023 is her first year serving on the board.
Jordan Plair
Member Director
Jordan Plair is in her 6th year of membership with JSLB. A Beaufort native, Jordan is the K-2 music and middle school chorus teacher at Riverview Charter School. She has two children, Mason and Lily, with her husband Nick. When she isn’t serving as Membership Director, she enjoys reading and spending time on Lake Greenwood with her family.
Kayla Griffin
Communications Director
communication.jslb@gmail.com
Kayla is from Friendship, Arkansas. She moved to South Carolina in 2017 and joined the Junior Service League in 2018. This is her fifth year in the League and she has been Jubilee and Social Chair as well as Service Director during her time in JSLB. She is a former teacher and is now a stay at home mom. She and her husband Jordan have one son, Richard, who is a fun loving baby! Their family is completed by a gentle mannered dog, Hank. As a family we love walks, going to the beach, and traveling.
Becky Grothe
Past President
pastpresident.jslb@gmail.com
Becky Grothe was born and raised in small town Iowa and moved to Beaufort in 2016 when the Marine Corps brought Becky and her husband, Ryan, to the Lowcountry. It only took a short duration of time in Beaufort before this Midwestern girl fell in love with the Lowcountry’s southern charm and hospitality.
Becky joined the Junior Service League of Beaufort in 2017 to become involved in the community she had come to love. In 2018 she served on the Board of Directors as Membership Director, 2019 as Service Director, 2020 as President Elect and 2021 as President. This year she will serve her fifth year on the board as Past President
In her free time, Becky enjoys going to the beach, being on the water, running, and spending time with her dog, husband and two daughters. She is currently employed at Beaufort Memorial Hospital as a Senior Human Resources Business Partner. The most rewarding aspects of serving with JSLB are the lifelong friendships made while simultaneously having a profound impact on the community she now calls her permanent home.