Leading Ladies League Inc., is a women's-based, non-profit organization that partners with other non-profit programs who serve the needs of women and children in the community by offering our time, talent, resources and mentorship.
Our goal is to empower one another through personal development programs and leadership principles, and to teach those we serve life-changing techniques for transitioning to new successful beginnings.
Leading Ladies League was born out of a need to serve; a love of womanhood and sisterhood; a desire to reach like-minded women in the community who want to be a part of an outreach program that brings women of a quality caliber together to build-up one another and to ultimately change the lives of countless women in need. We value the power of mentorship and most of us have had impactful mentors in our lives that have helped us build our character, knowledge and acumen. We believe that 'paying it forward' is the key to prosperity and peace in our community, and our goal is to empower women and let them know that we want to help them meet their basic needs, as well as help them reach their life's goals.
Meet our Executive Directors
Jessica Cristobal, Founder
Jessica (Lauren White) Cristobal is a seasoned Publishing Executive who has worked with numerous South Florida lifestyle publications in the yachting and luxury markets. Mrs. Cristobal currently serves as President of Brickell Magazine and Key Biscayne Magazine. She holds a 1994 Miss Florida World title, and she graduated from Georgia State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations (Communications), and a double Minor in Sociology and Women's Studies. She has lived in Miami since 2001, and has a passion for "connecting people" and helping others. Mrs. Cristobal is the Founder and President of Leading Ladies League, Inc., a non-profit organization that offers time, talent and resources to partner non-profit organizations, and women and children throughout the community who are in need. Jessica is happily married to the love of her life, husband and Head Coach of FIU Football, Mario Cristobal.
April Donelson, Vice President
Originally from Victoria, Texas, April Irene Donelson is an accomplished Sales and Marketing Executive with a background in the luxury real estate, multimedia, and tourism markets. Ms. Donelson currently serves as Director of Sales and Marketing for The Welcome Channel, providing in-room visitor entertainment programming for Miami & the Beaches in exclusive hotels and resorts. In 2009 she was named “Top 20 Under 40” for Miami Professionals by Brickell Magazine. Ms. Donelson is a 2002 graduate of Florida State University, majoring in Business, and holds a B.S. in Marketing. April achieved her childhood dream of becoming Florida State University's Feature Twirler "Girl in Gold", a position she held throughout her college career. She was awarded the Medal of Honor on behalf of the Marching Chiefs in 2000. An avid athlete, Ms. Donelson has competed throughout the Fitness America Pageant system, has been featured on ESPN2, and was a Top 15 Finalist for the Fitness Universe Pageant. April is active in the community and passionate about devoting most of her spare time to helping others; a personal responsibility and ode of gratitude she feels for the dedication and endless love bestowed upon her by her loving family. Ms. Donelson is proud to serve as Secretary for Leading Ladies League, Inc.
Whitney Luzzo Kelly, Treasurer
Whitney Luzzo-Kelly is a marketing and special events professional with a broad range of 15 years of experience working domestically and internationally. Whitney has established high record of success in increasingly responsible positions in service-driven, customer-focused markets. Mrs. Kelly is a Senior Operating Executive with extensive international business acumen. She has been instrumental in implementing, planning, executing and evaluating major global events, marketing and PR campaigns and programs for corporations such as: IBM, Coca Cola, Nike, MLB, NFL, NHL, Celebrity Cruises, Hummer, Mercedes, BMW, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Leading Yacht Builders, International Boat Shows, as well tenures on 3 Olympic Games (Atlanta 96, Nagano 98 and Sydney 2000). Whitney is currently a partner in her family business with her best friend and husband of 8 years, Damian, and and loves being a mother to Lachlan, Kai, and Finley.
Dana Rhoden, Marketing & Communications Director
Dana Rhoden is a seasoned public relations executive who has developed and directed award-winning, public relations and marketing campaigns across a multitude of industries including youth marketing, fashion & beauty, entertainment, luxury goods, travel tourism, special events, real estate, health/fitness and non-profit. The University of Florida PR graduate, moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career with Porter Novelli where she gained valuable experience working in several practices including consumer products, youth marketing and the entertainment industry where she secured media for new movie premieres, television shows and an Emmy nomination campaign. She worked on national publicity campaigns for the Jim Henson Company Muppets, Procter & Gamble’s CoverGirl, Pantene and Tampax brands and MTV’s Rock the Vote. Dana’s youth marketing expertise led her to Porter Novelli’s South Florida office where she oversaw media relations efforts for the Florida Anti-tobacco Campaign (TRUTH) and the Costa Rica Board of Tourism.
Eventually, Dana took the lead of the health and beauty division at a boutique public relations agency in Miami Beach where she launched numerous new product lines for marquee brands such as Chanel, AVEDA, Joey New York and Juvena of Switzerland. Throughout her career, she has managed media outreach on behalf of clients at the Oscars, Grammy’s, MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Movie Awards, Sundance Film Festival and New York Fashion Week.
Today, Dana serves as founder and president of Treskoi PR, a full-service public relations, marketing and special events firm, serving clients from New York to Los Angeles and the Caribbean.
Dana is the recipient of a 2001 PRSA PRism Award and served on the Board of Directors for PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) of the Humane Society of Broward County as Assistant Vice President of Public Relations. On her spare time, she enjoys freelance writing, copy writing and fashion styling. |
