Amanda Wingfield Goldman
2015-2016
Multi-tasking seems to be a requirement for success today, and it’s certainly a trait 2015-16 Lagniappe editor Amanda Wingfield Goldman embodied during her term. While working as an attorney and pregnant with her third child, Amanda tackled the task of transitioning publishers and a complete redesign of the magazine, just as she was welcoming her new baby.
This might seem like overload for some, but for Amanda, it was feeding a passion.
“I loved writing for Lagniappe. I have a journalism degree, so I was incredibly flattered when JLNO offered me the opportunity to become the Editor,” says Amanda. “It’s one of the toughest jobs but incredibly rewarding. You get to meet so many of the women keeping this outstanding organization running. They are smart, tough, hilarious, and inspiring.”
Kelly Walsh, the Editor of Lagniappe before Amanda, had no doubt her successor could handle the load, based on Amanda’s success as Kelly’s Assistant Editor. “Procrastination is definitely not in Amanda’s vocabulary,” says Kelly. “Amanda and I are both attorneys so we did not have a lot of time during the day to stop working to focus on last minute issues with our then-publisher. Nevertheless, Amanda was always on top of everything. She really is superwoman, or she has a clone. I haven’t figured it out yet.”
Superwoman’s secret may surprise you. “I’ve accepted that I cannot do it all and not to put undue pressure on myself,” says Amanda. “Some days I’m a mediocre mother and an outstanding attorney. Other days I’m a mediocre attorney and an outstanding mother. Forgiving yourself helps, as well as carving out time to work out.”
Sadly, JLNO is preparing to bid goodbye to Amanda and her family. “We are in the process of moving to Houston after 14 years in our beloved New Orleans,” says Amanda. “A job opportunity arose that I could not say no to; it was a very tough decision. I will greatly miss my JLNO family, and I’m in the process of transferring to the Houston League.” Houston is certainly getting a true treasure, as is Amanda’s new employer, the firm of Littler Mendleson, which she will be joining as a Labor and Employment attorney.
Her parting words of advice are, “find your passion, put yourself out there, and stick with it.” Amanda says, “JLNO leaders are adept at placing members in areas where they’ll positively impact The League. Don’t be afraid to voice your ideas, as someone will always be listening, and it’s an incredibly open-minded organization. You may just come up with the next great idea for The League!”
Ann Herren
2005-2006, 2006-2007
Many JLNO sustainers can credit their active placements for paving future professional achievement. Perhaps there is no better example of that than former Lagniappe Editor and current Sustainer Ann Herren, who created Nola Family Magazine after her time with Lagniappe. Herren has certainly earned her success, staying at the helm of Lagniappe for not one, but two terms – bringing stability to a publication she dearly loved.
“It seemed fun?” Ann laughs. “Honestly, I was Photo Editor, then Assistant Editor. It was a progression. I think I was on Lagniappe longer than you’re supposed to be in one ‘placement’. Tell no one.”
Ann is all about going above and beyond. She joined the Junior League of Boston at age 22, and then later transferred to JLNO where she served as an active until she was 44-years old, well beyond her requirements to become a sustainer.
During her tenure as Editor, Ann overhauled Lagniappe to include more stories and give it more of a “magazine” feel. “Ann brought a bold confidence that the magazine needed to catch the eye of the public,” says 2003-04 Lagniappe editor Carolyn Hennesy. “Lagniappe is the face of The League publicly. It needs to be eye-catching to those on the outside. Ann understood that and ran with it. This is distinctly apparent when you pick up a copy of Nola Family Magazine. It’s a beautiful publication, and she gave that same polish to Lagniappe.”
Today, Ann channels her seemingly unending energy into family, adventures and work as publisher of Nola Family. “The magazine is growing and it’s crazy! But I love it,” says Ann. “We want to start doing more in the community too. Ideas are coming a mile a minute and that’s what really gets me excited. My daughter is everything. I love traveling, sleeping, eating, costuming and New Orleans. And scary stuff—I love doing scary things, either in business or in life.”
Ann clearly doesn’t shy away from a challenge. The latest issue to catch her attention: women’s rights.
“Growing up, you’d hear the word ‘feminist’ and think, they’re out there, militant and maybe nuts. That’s how the media and society presented it,” says Ann. “Now I realize, yes, I am a feminist—especially because I have a daughter. It simply means: women being treated equally. What a concept. Be a feminist. Take care of you. By thinking that we are all equal, we all deserve the same, will in turn make you realize how and where you can help those that need it and where and how to affect change.”
