Leadership

Sara Norman, President

Originally from Midland, Texas, Sara moved to Beaumont in 2014. She received her BA in Organizational Communications and Finance, Cum Laude, at Lubbock Christian University and went on to law school at Texas Tech University School of Law, and now proudly calls Southeast Texas her home. She and her husband of fifteen years, Paul, live in Beaumont with their newborn daughter and attend Praise Church.

Sara has held several leadership positions within JLB, including serving on the Board of Directors six out of her nine active years. She served on the 2019-2020 Project Research and Development Committee that spearheaded the creation and implementation of JLB’s newest signature project, The O.N.E. Sara was honored with JLB’s Outstanding Community Impact Award in 2017 and the Innovator’s Award in 2022.

In addition to JLB, she has served on the Boards of Jefferson County Bar Association, Southeast Texas Estate Planning Council, Shorkey Center, CASA of Southeast Texas, and the Foundation for Southeast Texas. Outside of volunteer work, she loves to travel, attend community events, and host friends and family in her home.

Cheri Dickerson, President-Elect

Originally from Idaho, Cheri joined the Junior League of Beaumont in 2016 after moving to Southeast Texas. Eager to get involved, Cheri went straight into community projects, serving on both Transitioning Youth, where she was awarded Outstanding Community Project Member, and Healthy Behaviors, serving as co-chair and chair. Other roles include Community Council director, Main Street Market committee (underwriting chair), and Nominating and Placement. She is currently the President-Elect. 

As a registered dietitian, Cheri has worked in dialysis, in-patient care, and mental health. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Arizona in Nutritional Sciences and a Master of Science degree from Texas Tech University. Cheri currently utilizes her degree by coaxing her kids to eat healthy foods and substitute teaching at Hardin-Jefferson schools, including a semester of culinary arts.

Cheri and her husband, Jason, have five children: Sam (20) attends the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Ava (17), Jake (14), Audrey (11), and Jude (9) all attend Hardin-Jefferson. When she’s not with the JLB, you can find her watching all the Hawk sports cheering for her kids or cheering for everyone else’s kids from the athletic booster club’s concession stand, an active member of the HJABC. In addition to volunteering, Cheri is an avid reader, loves to cook and talk about food, travel, scuba diving, and plants. Her favorite meal is lunch; call if you want to meet up.

Kate Eckhart, Treasurer & Finance Council Director

A native Texan, Kate was born and raised in Houston. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and returned to her hometown to obtain her law degree from South Texas College of Law. She currently works as a staff attorney at the Ninth Court of Appeals. Kate joined the Junior League of Beaumont in 2016 and has held a variety of placements, including;  Spinnings editor, Project Research and Development and CAF chair, and Fund Development chair. She is a 2017 graduate of Leadership Beaumont. Outside of the Junior League of Beaumont, Kate serves on the board of the Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association. In her spare time, Kate enjoys achieving milestones on her Peloton and spending time with her husband and dog.

 

Nadine Daigle, Treasurer-Elect/Ways & Means Chair

Nadine Ona Daigle was born and raised in Houston, where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in International Studies and English from the University of St. Thomas. After graduating from Texas Tech University with her juris doctorate in 2017, she moved to Beaumont and started working at Germer PLLC. As senior trial counsel licensed in Texas and Louisiana, she specializes in personal injury, insurance defense, and civil litigation.

Nadine joined the Junior League of Beaumont in 2019, and since then has served as Spinnings Co-Chair and Chair, as well as Main Street Market Business Manager. Outside of the Junior League of Beaumont, Nadine also serves on the board of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, previously served on the board of the Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association, and was
previously recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Professional in Southeast Texas by the Southeast Texas Young Professional’s Organization. In her spare time, Nadine enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and two rescue dogs, cooking, reading romance novels, and singing in a church choir.

 

Amanda Newmann, Corresponding Secretary

Amanda Newmann is a native of Southeast, Texas and has been a member of Junior League of Beaumont since 2014. She has held a variety of placements within the Junior League including Transitioning Youth, Provisional Mentor, Jr. Junior League Chair and most recently Community Assistance Funds/Project Research and Development  Chair.

Amanda graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems and is also a certified teacher.

In her spare time Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband Darrick and daughters Harper and Spencer.

 

Kellsey Fairchild, Recording Secretary

Kellsey grew up in Colorado, Central America, and California before finding her way to Beaumont by way of Austin. She holds a B.A. in Spanish and Portuguese from the University of Texas and a M.S. in Professional Accounting from Lamar University. She is a licensed CPA and a shareholder at Cook Parker and Associates, a full-service accounting firm. 

Eager to get involved in the community, Kellsey served as the treasurer for the Southeast Texas chapter of Texas Exes before joining the Junior League of Beaumont, where she has held positions as Main Street Market exhibitor chair and Spinnings chair and co-chair. She is also the treasurer of the Beaumont Public Schools Foundation.  

Kellsey enjoys playing games and reading. She loves adventure and traveling with her husband and son. 

 

Amanda Heironimus, Communication Council Director

Originally from Iota, Louisiana, Amanda moved to Beaumont in the early 2000s and has since called Beaumont her home. Amanda graduated from Lamar University with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Communication emphasizing in both Advertising and Public Relations. She currently works at GSK as an Anti-Infective and Respiratory Sales Specialist.

After gaining almost a decade in career experience, Amanda joined The Junior League of Beaumont in an effort to give back to the community that has given so much to her. Throughout her time with the league she has served as Beaumont Children’s Museum Liaison and served as Publicity Chair for both Main Street Market and Dancing With The Stars. Amanda also serves on the school board for St. Anne Catholic School and has served on several advisory boards with pharmaceutical companies focusing mostly on clinical training and diversity and inclusion. She has volunteered for several different nonprofits in the Southeast Texas, Southwest Louisiana and Houston areas and was a 40 under 40 honoree in 2020. Amanda and her husband, Cody, have 2 children, Lyndon (8) and Quinn (3). In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and kids, traveling and enjoying the simple moments with family and friends.

 

Mallory Cross, Community Council Director

Mallory was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas. She received her bachelor’s degree in public relations and her master’s degree in sports media and communication from Texas Tech University. After graduation, she moved back to her hometown of Beaumont, and started working for the City of Beaumont as the marketing and communication manager for the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau for five years. Now, she works as the customer service manager for Iron Horse Services.

Mallory joined the Junior League of Beaumont in 2018, and has since served as a committee member on Spinnings, co-chair of Education and Training, co-chair of The ONE, chair of The ONE, and for the 2023-2024 year, Community Council Director. She served on the Beaumont Farmers Market board as a liaison when working with the BFM in the inaugural year of The ONE.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, going to all of the Astros games she can attend, and enjoying an ice cold beer at her favorite local brewery, Buckstin Brewing Co.

 

Lauren Thieme, Membership Council Director/Nominating Chair

Lauren has been in Junior League of Beaumont for 10 years and is currently serving on the Board as Membership Council Director. During her League years she has served on CAF grant committee, Spinnings, several community council committees, chaired 2021 Dancing with the Stars, and on the board as Communications Council Director. She also served on the 2019-2020 Project Research & Development committee that started JLB’s newest signature project, The O.N.E. In 2021 she was honored with the JLB Dollars & Sense Award.
Being a Beaumont native helps Lauren navigate her career as a Realtor at RE/MAX One Beaumont. Lauren has been in real estate since 2008 and enjoys seeing her clients find their new chapter in life. She has achieved 100% Club and Executive Club with RE/MAX. She is a graduate from Lamar University with a BBA in Marketing. Peck’em Cards!
Lauren and her husband, David, have been married for over 10 years and have a son, Dax, and a fur-baby, Ellie Mae. She & her family enjoy traveling, spending time at the beach, and time with friends. Lauren is always willing to host or help with a party. When she isn’t working or spending time with her family, Lauren shares her love of volunteering with other SETX organizations like Neches River Festival, Beaumont Heritage Society, Gift of Life, and several others. She was recognized at SETX 40 under 40 in 2015. Her fondness of SETX shines through every day and she hopes to help others grow in their own backyard too.

 

Anna Papa, Planning Council Director/Bylaws Chair

Anna is the owner and executive hairstylist at Tanglz Color Studio, the premier full service hair salon serving southeast Texas since 2011. She is a graduate of Texas State University where she was a member of the Strutters and holds an BBA in Management. In 2022, she obtained her MBA from Lamar University and is so proud to finally be a Cardinal!

During her years in Junior League, Anna has served in many roles including Provisional Mentor, CAF Grant Committee, Education and Training Chair and Chairing the 2020 Dancing with the Stars.  She is very excited to bring her talents to the board for the first time.

In addition to JLB, Anna serves on the Board of Directors for the Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Texas,the Board of The Beaumont Children’s Museum and the Board of Aimed Dance. She has been recognized as the Beaumont Enterprise’s Best Hairstylist in Southeast Texas, a BBB Spark Award Finalist and the 2022 BBB Torch Award for Ethics Winner.

Although a proud Beaumont native, Anna spent 4 years living in Las Vegas Nevada and brought home a husband, Anthony. Together, they share 8 year old Luca and a very cranky Shih Tzu, Cooper. When not chasing Luca to tennis and baseball, they enjoy traveling anywhere the road may take them

 

Katie Baker, Past President

Beaumont native Katie Baker has been a JLB member since 2012. Katie has held several leadership positions within JLB, including serving as immediate Past President, Communications Council Director on the Board of Directors, Membership Development Chair, and Main Street Market Chair. In addition to JLB, Katie is a member of the Symphony League of Beaumont and is currently a chairman for the 75th annual Neches River Festival.  A Registered Dietitian with clinical and school food service experience, Katie earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas and her Master of Science degree from Lamar University. A “Jill-of-all-trades”, she launched her custom invitation and paper goods brand, Grace Edward Designs, in 2022. Katie and her husband, Clarke, have one daughter, Mary Grace (6) and one son Jeb (3). Outside of volunteer work and spending time with family, she loves to read, travel, and cook.