Two of our own JLOCC members – Katherine Ahlswede and Vivian Burgard – were honored this year by receiving the OneOC Spirit of Volunteerism Award for 2017.

Katherine Ahlswede has been an active member since 2007.  Over the years, she has volunteered her time to the following areas:  Community-Grants & Scholarship (2007-2008); Public Affairs – State Public Affairs Committee (2008-2009, 2013-2016); Membership – Membership Advisor (2009-2010), Nominating & Placement (2010-2011), and Provisional Committee (2011-2012): Board of Directors – Secretary (2012-2013), and Public Affairs Vice President (2014-2015 & 2016-2017),  Katherine is mainly proud of the brillant training and varied self-development opportunities that have been presented to her through her experiences in the Junior League.

Katherine has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Arizona State University (ASU) and a Masters of Business Administration with a focus in Finance and Strategy from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (USC).  She is currently a Senior Financial Analysit at The Boeing Company which serves the Commercial Aircrafts and Defense sides of the company.  She has worrked there for nine years and her career has held a diverse series of experiences from financial forecasting, project management and risk management to staying connected to academia through nationwide university curriculum development and recruitment efforts.

Vivian Burgard has been with the League for 6 years and has held various Leadership positions that represent different levels of involvement. She served as a Double Placement as Print and Communications Director as well as Exhibitor Chair-Elect for The Christmas Company. Following her strong interest in Logistics and Fitness, she lead the OC Marathon committee with focus on Fundraising and full/half marathon training. She then served as the Samueli Academy Manager, where she worked with School Administration to implement several of the school’s “first ever” events. Embracing a newly formed position for the League as Contributions Relations Manager, she worked to secure large name sponsors for multiple event partnerships. She also engaged the community through a 4 class series of Zumba Fitness classes aimed at increasing awareness to human trafficking.

She holds a degree from CSU, Fullerton in Business Administration and Marketing, which she uses daily in her work at RR Donnelley as a National Sales Director. In her spare time, she enjoys her two high school sons’ series of athletic commitments. She is excited for her position as 2017-2018 Director at Large, to continue to make a difference in the community and give back, both of which are part of her core lifestyle.

History of the Spirit of Volunteerism Awards

Established in 1976, Spirit of Volunteerism Awards is proud to be the oldest awards program in Orange County recognizing and celebrating the major involvement of community volunteers, groups and corporations.

Since its inception, the event has only grown – gaining participants, volunteer nominees and sponsorships.  The first event had 150 people present with 12 honorees.  By the 15th annual, 400 attended the ceremony with over 20 honorees.  In 2010, we had 940 registrants, over 400 honorees and 31 corporate sponsors.   The number grew again in 2012 with 1,030 attendees, 373 honorees and 52 sponsors.  And most recently, during our 40th anniversary in 2016 we saw 1,089 attendees and 375 honorees from 145 community organizations and businesses.

What started as a small nonprofit awards program has turned into a community-wide celebration with participation across the public, private & nonprofit sectors.

Although the event has grown five-fold, the essence and intent have remained the same – to honor the service of the individuals, teams and business that make our community a stronger and more vibrant place to live, work and play.

Categories: Giving Back, JLOCC News, Our Members