JLLA President Leanna Wood shares how volunteer leadership shaped her career and how she plans to build the League’s next century of impact in Los Angeles.

In the first episode of The League Effect, host Anika Jackson sits down with Leanna Wood, the 101st president of the Junior League of Los Angeles and the person who named this podcast. Leanna’s League journey began in Washington, DC in 2012. She transferred to Los Angeles in 2018 and went on to hold roles across communications, finance, fundraising, and governance before stepping into the presidency for the 2026–2027 League year.

Leanna explains why her presidential theme, “101,” is about getting back to basics and laying the foundation for the next hundred years. She talks about the difference between motivating volunteers and motivating employees, how a fundraising role that terrified her became one of her favorite placements, and why transfers from other Leagues often bring JLLA’s freshest ideas. She also shares how JLLA listens to the city to decide where to show up, from transition age foster youth to renovating community spaces with LA City Recreation and Parks.

In this episode:

• Why JLLA launched its own podcast, and what “the League effect” means for the community and for individual women leaders
• What drew Leanna to the Junior League of Washington and how community placements taught her to get projects off the ground
• Why motivating volunteers requires buy-in to the mission, not a paycheck
• How coming in as a transfer helped her bring fresh thinking to social media and community partnerships
• Moving from committee chair to VP to president-elect to president, and how the mindset shifts from tactical to long-range strategy
• The “101” theme: building on Centennial momentum while strengthening training and long-term partnerships
• A favorite project: the Community Leadership Forum and its youth poetry contest for foster youth
• JLLA’s focus areas: transition age foster youth and underserved students seeking education opportunities
• Renovating city-identified spaces in communities of need, including a Head Start facility in Green Meadows, the Watts Senior Center kitchen, and an upcoming cheer and dance studio in North Hollywood
• Creating park events so Angelenos can take part in the celebratory energy around the World Cup and upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games
• JLLA’s shift from events-based fundraising to grants and a year-round giving menu, following a Centennial campaign that raised more than $1 million
• Advice for women considering joining the League

About Leanna Wood

Leanna Wood is the 2026–2027 President of the Junior League of Los Angeles. She joined the Junior League of Washington in 2012 and transferred to JLLA in 2018, serving in leadership roles on management council and the board, including treasurer, communications VP, and Centennial associate chair. Professionally, she is Executive Vice President of Global Operations at National Research Group. She holds a BA in international affairs from The George Washington University.

About Your Host

Anika Jackson served as President of the Junior League of Los Angeles from 2010 to 2011. She is the founder and CEO of Your Brand Amplified and host of the YBA podcast. She also teaches digital media and podcasting at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Enjoyed this episode? Follow The League Effect so you never miss a conversation, and share it with someone who is ready to turn their skills into community impact. Learn more about the Junior League of Los Angeles and how to get involved at losangeles.jl.org.