Emilee M. Ambrose is honored to serve as the 2025–2026 President and CEO of the Junior League of Dayton (JLD). Driven by a commitment to service and impact, she leads the organization in its mission to develop the potential of women and strengthen the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Emilee is passionate about supporting the League’s vision and driving meaningful impact across the Dayton region. Keep reading to get to know Emilee and her goals for the year ahead. 

Mastering the Numbers 

Emilee holds a Bachelor of Arts in both the History of Art & Architecture and Anthropology from Miami University, as well as a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Baltimore, where she focused on Leadership and Organizational Development & Change. She currently serves as the Logistics Chief for C-130 Production Foreign Military Sales with the United States Air Force, where she manages an $8.2B FMS portfolio of international agreements for seven Foreign Partners. She is instrumental in fostering the Department of Defense’s Security Assistance and Cooperation partnership with critically strategic allies, further promoting specific U.S. security interests, advancing national security, strengthening regional stability, and developing military interoperability.  

Throughout her career, she has been passionate about creating positive impact within both her professional and local communities. For Emilee, true leadership means being a reliable source of encouragement and insight as others navigate their personal journeys. At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, she facilitated base-wide Sexual Assault Prevention & Response training and served on the Diversity Council as the Federal Women’s Employment Program Manager. Her earlier roles include policy analysis and project management for the U.S. Military Health System, where she supported military healthcare research and policy development. Emilee has brought her skills and passion to a wide range of missions, from advancing military healthcare and policy development to managing complex logistics and programs for the U.S. Air Force. 

Journey to the Junior League 

Emilee’s hometown is Berea, OH, a friendly town located just outside Cleveland. When she later moved to the Dayton area, Emilee was looking for connection and a sense of community. She was thrilled to discover just that in JLD! She found a diverse organization of women who are passionate about uplifting one another and making a difference in the community. Since joining JLD in 2018, Emilee has taken on a variety of leadership roles, including serving on the “Read Between the Wines” Committee as a member, Chair-Elect, and Chair. She’s also served as Community VP-Elect and VP, and most recently as President-Elect, demonstrating her deep commitment to the League’s mission over the past seven years. 

Emilee’s involvement in the community doesn’t stop there. Sponsored by JLD, she graduated from the prestigious Leadership Dayton program as part of the Class of 2023, where she was honored to be nominated as Class Representative. Today, she continues to support the program as a member of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Governors. Her appreciation for the arts led her to join the Dayton Art Institute’s (DAI) Board of Trustees in June 2023, and in January 2024, she and her husband became members of the DAI’s Associate Board—helping lead fundraising and event planning for two of the museum’s signature events: ArtBall and Oktoberfest. In 2025, Emilee was named a Dayton Business Journal “Forty Under 40” honoree. The Junior League of Dayton couldn’t be prouder, celebrating her as a rising leader shaping the future of our region! 

A Passport Full of Stories 

As an avid traveler, some of Emilee’s favorite recent journeys have taken her to places like India, Thailand, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Denmark, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Iceland, and Norway. Her heart always pulls her back to Italy, where she and her husband enjoy wandering historic streets, sharing street pizza, and sipping house wine after a day spent exploring art and ancient ruins. When she’s not people-watching at the airport, Emilee loves cooking, getting lost in a good book, and spending quality time with her husband, their two kids (ages 12 and 15), and their Bernedoodle, Dottie. 

Empowering Every Voice 

“One of the things I’m most excited about this year is watching our Executive Board members step into their leadership roles with confidence and purpose,” says Emilee. She looks forward to deepening the connections across the entire League and fostering an environment where every member feels seen, heard, and valued. She is especially proud to be mentoring the current President-Elect, who is already demonstrating strong leadership and a clear vision for the future of the League. Emilee is committed to creating spaces where women can uncover their strengths, grow in confidence, and step boldly into leadership roles they may have once thought were out of reach. She believes that when every voice is empowered, it opens the door to new ideas, shared growth, and lasting impact—not just within the League, but throughout the broader community they serve. 

Stay tuned for more features in our “Meet Our Members” series!

Interested in Becoming a Member? 

Learn more about the benefits of joining the Junior League of Dayton! 

Read on to learn more about Sade’ and her story in our latest Meet Our Members spotlight:

Rooted in Service

Originally from Peoria, Illinois, Sade’ grew up as the youngest of five (and the only girl!) She shared that most of her mother’s family still lives in Illinois, while her father’s family lives in Nigeria. She hopes to visit soon!

Since moving to Dayton about 25 years ago, Sade’ has immersed herself in education, personal growth, and community service. She earned a certification in Small Animal Science from MVCTC and later earned her Associate of Arts in Theatre Performance at Sinclair Community College.

Today, Sade’ works at The Foodbank, Inc. as a Marketing Content & Grants Support professional, where she specializes in marketing, social media, media relations, and donor stewardship. She also fills in when needed in The Foodbank’s drive-thru, mobile pantries, and mass distributions.

“Unexpectedly, in the summer of 2023, I was in between jobs,” she said. “A previous coworker told me about open interviews at The Foodbank, I applied, and was hired! It wasn’t a typical job interview. The Foodbank hires based on both head and heart, so I was actually hired for a different position than the one I initially applied for. They believe that most skills can be taught, and I’ve gained much of what I know through hands-on experience and strong leadership.”

“Coincidentally, my theatre degree comes in handy when it comes to public speaking for TV appearances and events,” she added. “It’s been essential in helping me build meaningful connections and better understand the needs of our neighbors and clients.”

Journey to the Junior League

Community connections go far in Dayton. In fact, it was through The Foodbank that Sade’ learned about getting involved in the Junior League of Dayton and became a member in 2024.

“My supervisor introduced me to the Junior League of Dayton as she has many connections with active and sustainer league members,” Sade’ explained. “What drew me in was the opportunity to be part of an organization that aligns with the empowerment and leadership development of women. So far, I’ve enjoyed stepping into new spaces, connecting with leadership-driven women, and getting involved in various volunteer opportunities.

“Volunteering has always been a passion,” she added. “My dream is to one day be able to volunteer every day without the need for a traditional job. The Junior League serves as a reminder to continue prioritizing volunteering and contributing to our community.”

Life Beyond Work

Outside of work and volunteering, Sade’ finds joy in life’s little adventures. She loves collecting niche perfumes, treasure hunting at local shops, and getting together with friends for mini road trips. In Dayton, you might find her unwinding at Salar’s happy hour, sipping boba from Blossom Juicy Bar, or catching a comedy show at The Funny Bone.

One thing people may not know about Sade’ is that she has an exceptional memory. “Whether it’s small gestures or big efforts, I never forget the people who have helped me along my journey,” she shared. “I carry eternal gratitude for them.”

When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, Sade’ said, “Be even bolder. Embracing your true self draws the right people to you, and you never know who you might be inspiring along the way.”

An Inspiring Vision for the Future

In addition to food security, Sade’ is passionate about another cause close to her heart.

“While I’d love to address all the complex and multifaceted issues facing the Black community, if I had to focus on one, it would be mental wellness and support systems,” she shared. Improving mental health would provide a foundation to tackle other issues that hinder our progress and overall well-being.”

With her drive to uplift others, her dedication to servant leadership, and her commitment to continuous growth, Sade’ is an incredible force in our community. We’re so glad she’s sharing her time and talents with us as a member of the Junior League of Dayton!

Stay tuned for more features in our “Meet Our Members” series!

Interested in Becoming a Member?

Learn more about the benefits of joining the Junior League of Dayton!

Carlina is from Virginia and has lived in Dayton for 8 years. She currently works as Senior Director of Recruitment at Northwestern Mutual. We invited her to share more about her professional journey influenced by her own mother, along with her personal goals as a mother herself.

“Thinking about my career journey, the first thing that sticks out to me is this underlying theme of becoming a professional woman. I always wanted to be a working mom. I definitely got that from my parents, who worked for the federal government. My mom woke up at 3 AM to get ready for work and made the two-hour commute from Northern Virginia into D.C. She took her heels in a little satchel, wore a stereotypical 80’s power suit, and exuded professionalism. That’s the image I have – this strong business woman putting in the work every single day. That’s the environment I grew up in – work first, family second.

“My mom worked for the Department of Defense at the Defense Intelligence Agency Center at the Pentagon. In fact, she was there during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, luckily, on the opposite side of the building. I was a sophomore in college. The phone lines were down, I didn’t know where she was, and I had no way to get ahold of her.  I hadn’t heard from her but in my heart I could feel that she was okay. My sister drove into Washington to try to find her. The traffic was awful, the subways were jammed, there was no way to get close enough to find survivors. Finally, at 8 o’clock at night I got the call that my mom was okay. It was an incredibly scary time. She asked for a transfer and left the Pentagon a few months later, but never stopped putting in the work.

“Ever since I became a mom, my perception of the “working mom” changed along with my anxiety, which skyrocketed. It had gotten to the point where I had severe panic attacks, a trip to the emergency room, and was on medication. I don’t know why I have this need to justify being a working mom. Maybe it’s a sense that I’m still not good enough. I feel a sense of obligation to show my son what a powerful business woman looks like today. I feel an obligation to show him, myself, and those around me that women can have it all and we can balance it all. No one is going to tell me “No, you can’t do that.”  I have to model the same behavior that my mom showed my sister and I, but now with an added sense of care and compassion for other working parents. I don’t think my mom was always shown the same flexibility during her time of navigating being a mother and a career professional simultaneously.  

“Over the last year, I’ve worked extremely hard to change my mindset, learn to “let go” of things I can’t control, and embrace imperfection. I’m learning to reframe those stories I tell myself including what a successful business woman looks like. I’m learning how to channel that anxiety into productivity and move forward on to the next big thing. My mom has always played a large role in influencing my decision to be a working mom, and now I feel a bigger sense of compassion and understanding for working parents and it’s our job to pass that on to the next generation.”

Thank you, Carlina, for sharing your story. We love hearing from our inspiring members. Stay tuned for more features in our “Meet Our Members” series!

Interested in becoming a member? Learn more about the benefits of joining the Junior League of Dayton!