We’re celebrating Myla Cardona-Jones being recognized as a YWCA Dayton’s 2026 Women of Influence.

• The YWCA Women of Influence awards have honored women who use their voices, vision, and leadership to make a lasting impact on the community for over 25 years. The 2026 honorees exemplify its mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, and dignity for all.
• This year’s theme, “Writing our Future Together,” reflects the power of collective leadership and recognizes that lasting change is built through collaboration, shared vision and courageous action. Myla shared that, “Writing Our Future Together means recognizing that none of us gets there alone. It’s about listening deeply, leading with compassion, and building systems where every woman and every family has the chance to thrive.”
• Myla and the other honorees were saluted at YWCA Dayton’s 2026 Women of Influence awards luncheon March 12 at the Dayton Convention Center.

About Myla’s work
Myla serves as the CEO at Brunner Literacy Center as well as the Executive Director for the Kettering Backpack Program. A champion for literacy and food equity, Myla shared her views on the value of open and honest communication in the workplace and within the community at the roundtable on March 12th:

“When a difficult conversation is happening be upfront and honest about what the outcome or the expectation is going to be,” she said. “I think you should be very loud about being honest. I have really been proud of that in my journey, and just being open and vocal about what might be happening around us — the injustices that are happening — and that definitely pulls into even difficult times, difficult conversations. And I think if we have more people who are open to just telling the truth, I think that we will have a more vibrant community, a more honest and open community.”

In the Junior League of Dayton
Now a sustaining member of JLD, Myla has contributed to the League through a variety of leadership roles, including serving as League President and Membership VP. She was also recognized for her innovation and enthusiasm in furthering the mission of JLD as the 2019 recipient of the Sally Riffle Award for Innovative Leadership. Myla continues to support JLS as the Sustainer Representative for the Diversity & Inclusion committee.

Join us in congratulating Myla!

Know a member we should spotlight?
If you (or a fellow member) have received an award, accepted a new role, joined a board, been featured in the media, or reached another professional/community milestone, we’d love to include it.

Submit a spotlight: Member Spotlight: Beyond the League – Intake Form