Meet Junior League Memphis’s New President: Lori Jackson Evans
From Miss Jackson State University to President of the Junior League of Memphis, Lori Jackson Evans is making her mark. Get to know this week's FACE of Memphis! Image: Sandy Adams Photography
From a young age, Lori Jackson Evans aimed high. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, she was inspired by her parents, longtime public school system educators and Jackson State University (JSU) alums. The family often attended football games together.
At five, Lori saw Miss JSU on the football field and told her mother that she wanted to be the lady who walked around with a big crown on her head. Always supportive, her mom said, “You can do and be whatever you want to be.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, Lori later attended Jackson State University — she was elected Miss Jackson State University from 1998 to 1999.
Now, this one-time Miss JSU is the Manager of Community and Stakeholder Engagement at Regional One Health and the new president of the Junior League of Memphis. Get to know this inspiring FACE of Memphis!
You started as a member of the Junior League of Jackson, Mississippi. What attracted you to it?
My first introduction to Junior League Jackson was through their thrift store, Bargain Boutique. My mom and I used to donate items and shop there. I remember seeing members volunteering in the store and photos of them volunteering in the community. They looked like they were having fun while serving others.
I also wanted the children being served by JLJ to see people who looked like them serving them — to know the importance of giving back and serving their community.
When you moved to Memphis, why did you decide to stay involved?
Before moving here, I read about Junior League Memphis’s storied history and its longtime impact on the Memphis community. I was blown away by all the things this League had done here. Not knowing anyone, I called the headquarters and talked to Pat Pope for almost an hour! She made me feel right at home and helped me start my transfer.
When I attended the next general membership meeting, the members and staff were so warm and welcoming. As I listened to then-President Stephanie Simpson and President-Elect Carolyn Danley talk about everything JLM was planning to do the following year, I knew I had to transfer ASAP!
As the current president of JLM, your theme is Remember Your Why. Tell us about that.
I chose “Remember Your Why,” with an emphasis on “member,” to continue a focus on member engagement. The pandemic impacted JLM in so many ways. It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of life, but our members need to always remember why they chose JLM. The “why” that made them choose us may not be the same “why” that has kept them here. But, we are focusing on three pillars that will help us achieve our goals to reconnect JLM in the community, rebuild relationships with key stakeholders, and intentionally increase membership:
- Create a valuable membership experience.
- Reinforce visible community connections and strengthen our impact.
- Develop a viable organizational strategy for sustainability.
What do you wish more women knew about the Junior League of Memphis?
Most people know about the volunteering we do in our community. However, many people don’t know just how instrumental JLM has been to the development of the Memphis community. JLM has contributed to many of Memphis’s most worthwhile organizations, including Friends of the Orpheum, Hope House, Volunteer Mid-South, WKNO, Memphis in May, Church Health Center, Children’s Museum of Memphis, The Salvation Army, Memphis Pink Palace Museum, Memphis Arts Council, and Memphis Symphony Orchestra, to name a few.
Our membership looks a lot different than it did 20 years ago. The average age of our new members is 38, and about 90 percent of our members work full-time outside the house. These women are doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, educators, researchers, financial planners — the list goes on. Along with balancing busy personal and professional schedules, these powerhouses also find time to prioritize giving back to their community.
Switching gears, how did your career path lead you to Regional One?
I have always considered myself a servant leader and have worked in help-related professions. My previous career was in higher education administration. When I moved to Memphis, I tried the corporate arena for two years but was unfulfilled. I felt I had lost my purpose. When a friend mentioned I should consider healthcare, I laughed. I didn’t know about all the non-clinical positions available. Someone sent me the job posting, and it seemed interesting. It also allowed me to get back into a career where I could help others and make a positive impact on their lives.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
Every day, I get the opportunity to help patients and their loved ones navigate the healthcare system — communicating with doctors, working with insurance companies, and conducting investigations to resolve concerns and make it a little less complicated.
What do you love most about Memphis?
I love the people, culture, food, entertainment, and endless opportunities to be great! I also love that it’s only three hours away from home. To me, Memphis is a hidden gem in the Midsouth. You just have to be committed to polishing away the blemishes so the brightness of the gem will shine brightly beyond the 901 area code.
This is a city with a storied history that has birthed life to the rest of the world in so many ways. You can go to any part of the world, and I’m 99% sure you will find some tie back to Memphis.
When you have visitors to Memphis, where do you take them?
I usually do a tour of the entire city, trying to hit some of the popular attractions, including Beale Street and some of the awesome restaurants, depending on what their taste buds want.
What is your best piece of advice?
Wow! I don’t know because my mom gave me so many. She would say, “Always remember, the pen is mightier than the sword.”
Name three things you can’t live without.
A daily good laugh, a hydra facial at SkinBody Memphis, and a relaxing hot stone massage from Gould’s Day Spa.
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Meet more women doing remarkable things in their communities in our FACES archive!
Gaye Swan
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.