J. Johnson Community Leadership Award
Jolie Johnson’s inspirational personal, philanthropic, and professional leadership made a tangible and lasting impact on our community. In celebration of her many contributions, including to the Women’s Leadership Conference, we have created an award in her honor.
We celebrate women in our community who advocate for others and support causes that echo Jolie Johnson’s legacy.
In the spring of each year, we invite community members to nominate a female leader for this award; the honor is presented at our annual conference in May.
Jolie Johnson (1950-2015)
Jolie Johnson’s inspirational personal, philanthropic, and professional leadership made a tangible and lasting impact on our community. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in other women who share her passion for servant leadership. In her honor, each year the Women’s Leadership Connection (formerly Women’s Leadership Conference) names one woman who:
• Champions diversity and values differences
• Gives to the community
• Advocates for other women
• Serves as a role model and mentor to others.
We are currently accepting nominations through March 31 for an outstanding female leader to be recognized at our May 1-2 conference. To nominate a community leader, fill out this form and help us celebrate a deserving female leader!
Laura Lindley-Gutierrez, 2024 Recipient
As a supervising attorney with the Immigration Law Project at the Center for Non Profit Legal Services, Laura Lindley-Gutierrez focuses her work on empowering immigrant survivors of crimes, and supporting unaccompanied minors in their transition from youth to adulthood by providing no barrier immigration law services. In this role, she is known for not only providing competent legal representation, but also helping clients identify and overcome other barriers–including barriers to safety, housing, education, food, or childcare. She is also a Community Dinner Volunteer with Jobs with Justice and serves as Board Secretary for Rogue Food Unites, a grass-roots organization that uses food to heal individuals and communities during times of crisis. Laura has served as project supervisor for the Northwest Forest Worker Center, as a Victim’s Rights Advocate with the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office, as a public defender, and as a prisoner rights and police misconduct attorney.
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Sabrina Prud’homme, 2023 Recipient
Sabrina is the university board secretary and strategic advisor to the Board of Trustees of Southern Oregon University. Additionally, she is an elected director of the School Board for the Ashland School District (ASD). She also is a member of the Oregon School Board Association’s School Board Members of Color Caucus, and the ASD Budget Committee and she previously served on the board of the Ashland Schools Foundation. Sabrina was the inaugural board chair of BASE, Black Alliance and Social Empowerment, and is a member of the Police Liaison Oversight Committee, dedicated to improving anti-bias efforts and community relations among local Black residents in partnership with the Jackson County sherriff and the police chiefs of Ashland, Central Point, Medford, Phoenix, and Talent. Sabrina is also a member of the Oregon Community Foundation’s Southern Oregon Leadership Council.
Tiffany Beach, 2022 Recipient
Tiffany founded and runs Afroscoutz, a program that uplifts and educates Black children in the Rogue Valley. She revised the statewide school inclusion policy, “Every Student Belongs,” and made local changes that were then adopted at the state level. Tiffany was nominated to lead the Medford School District ED&I board for the Black community because of her education advocacy.
Tiffany Beach, 2022 Recipient
Tiffany founded and runs Afroscoutz, a program that uplifts and educates Black children in the Rogue Valley. She revised the statewide school inclusion policy, “Every Student Belongs,” and made local changes that were then adopted at the state level. Tiffany was nominated to lead the Medford School District ED&I board for the Black community because of her education advocacy.
Lillia Caballero, 2021 Recipient
Lilia has served as the Cultural Liaison Coordinator for the Medford Police Department, a position that was created to establish an effective working relationship between the Medford Police Department and the minority community it serves and protects. She has served as a director for the Medford School Board for four years, works tirelessly with the Medford Police Department to help provide positive interactions for the community, is the longest serving Chair of the Latino Interagency Committee, and is a passionate advocate/mentor for Jackson County CASA. She also serves as a bilingual/bicultural volunteer and mentor. She is looked to as a leader, not only as a voice for the Latino population, but as a critical partner to the entire community.
Holly Roberts, 2019 Recipient
Holly is a true philanthropist at heart, serving as a board member for Community Works, Storytelling Guild, and the Hillcrest Committee, as well as a past board member for the Craterian Theater.
Holly Roberts, 2019 Recipient
Holly is a true philanthropist at heart, serving as a board member for Community Works, Storytelling Guild, and the Hillcrest Committee, as well as a past board member for the Craterian Theater.
Marlene Yesquen, 2018 Recipient
Marlene is a passionate, driven woman who is determined to succeed. She owns her law firm, Yesquen Law, and frequently volunteers in the community.