The New Voices Initiative celebrates the empowerment of women and the innovation of Lions who are changing the way we serve, grow, lead and promote our work around the world. From more than 1,300 nominees, 32 semifinalists were identified—four from each constitutional area and Africa. Each New Voice is an outstanding example of service, membership, leadership and marketing in Lions Clubs International.
As you celebrate your New Voices, remember that the millions of lives we change is the work of all Lions. We are stronger together and all of our voices are an inspiration to the world.
Here are your New Voices semifinalists!
Check back later for your New Voices finalists or visit the New Voices website to see how Lions Clubs International is celebrating the contributions of women everywhere!
CA1 – USA
Service
Rita Spiess
District 32-S, Spartanburg Lions Club
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Lion Rita is an integral part of her club’s impact on the Spartanburg community and to others in need wherever they may be. She is an ambassador for Lions everywhere and a champion of service.
Membership
Angie Louie
District 4-C4, San Francisco Cosmopolitan Lions Club
Brisbane, California
Lion Angie is committed to sharing all about the good we do with everyone she meets. Her advocacy has motivated so many to become Lions themselves including members of the club she most recently chartered.
Leadership
Diana Grise
District 23-C, Montville Lions Club
Windham, Connecticut
Lion Diana is, and always has been, a dedicated leader and mentor. Her guidance has helped found eight LEO clubs and develop the passion for service and leadership potential in countless youth within her community.
Marketing
Jill Bamberger
District 20-K2, Floral Park Lions Club
Floral Park, New York
Lion Jill is a powerful voice that advocates Lions’ service all around her community. Her passion for promotion has been incredibly effective at spreading news of good works across the entire multiple district.
CA2 – Canada
Service
Cathy Anderson
District C-2, Lethbridge West Lions Club
Lethbridge, Alberta
Lion Cathy believes that volunteering is the key to vital communities and a strong society. For her, service and compassion are a way of life, and her kindness restores the dignity of those in need.
Membership
Kathy St-Yves
District U-1, Val d'Or Lions Club
Val d'Or, Québec
Lion Kathy is part of a club affectionately known as the “Loudest Voices.” She and her zone have bolstered membership, promoted New Voices and continued developing new ways for Lions to serve.
Leadership
Corinne Tulk
District N-3, Stephenville Lions Club
Kippens, Newfoundland and Labrador
Lion Corinne is a dedicated advocate for women in Lions. As a member and leader, she has sponsored many new members and ensures that they have the opportunities to succeed in their service to the community.
Marketing
Aline Haddad
District U-1, Montréal Cèdres du Liban
Montreal, Québec
Lion Aline celebrates and promotes the success of women across her district through her club’s website and social media. She sees every new challenge as an opportunity to work harder for those in need.
CA3 – FOLAC (Latin America & Caribbean)
Service
Maria José Rodrigues Pinto
District LA-3, Maceio Panalto da Jacutinga Lions Club
Maceió, Brazil
Lion Maria is dedicated to the prevention of diabetes in aboriginal communities in Brazil. She has written a book about diabetes prevention and visits local schools with other club members to educate students about diabetes.
Membership
Dora Hermosilla Ortigoza
District M-1, Asunción Mariscal Francisco Solano López del Centenario Lions Club
Asunción, Paraguay
Lion Dora inspires young people in her community through drug prevention education. She has founded two clubs, two branch clubs and invited more than 80 new Lions, 46 of whom are women.
Leadership
María Elena Solís Sauma
District D-4, Cuidad Quesada Lions Club
Alajuela, Costa Rica
Lion María empowers women through legal rights training and education as a lawyer, professor and radio host. She has mentored her students to develop their skills and abilities to help improve their communities.
Marketing
Ivonne Consuelo Cárdenas Calderón
District H-3, San Borja Papa Juan XXIII Lions Club
Lima, Peru
Lion Ivonne is a social media guru who has showcased the service of Lions to her community. She has started a YouTube channel called Lions Perú TV to further demonstrate the impact of Lions everywhere.
CA4 – Europe
Service
Armelle Bonneton
District 103-SW, Bordeaux Mascaret Lions Club
Bordeaux, France
Lion Armelle developed several projects that have deeply impacted her community. Her fundraising and initiatives have helped children of disadvantaged families, families of Alzheimer patients and pediatric cancer patients.
Membership
Ólöf Ingibergsdóttir
District 109-A, Hveragerði Eden Lions Club
Hveragerði, Iceland
Lion Ólöf is an excellent networker and is driven to increase membership in her club. Her enthusiasm and donations have helped support her club’s outreach and ability to serve their community.
Leadership
Zeynep Kocasinan
District 118-R, Izmir Turk Cyber Lions Club
Muğla, Turkey
Lion Zeynep is a natural leader who has helped her club make a great impact in their community. She has actively promoted the New Voices Initiative and helped empower women across the multiple district.
Marketing
Daniela Gross
District 114-M, Dachstein Welterbe Lions Club
Ardning, Austria
Lion Daniela applies her professional experience to engage the community and share news of Lions’ projects. Her outreach has encouraged Lions to do more and has caught the attention of the press and social media.
CA5 – OSEAL
Service
Yumiko Sakuraba
District 330-B, Yokohama Minato Mirai Lions Club
Yokohama Kanagawa, Japan
Lion Yumiko represents a new generation of women Lions in Japan. Her passion for service is hands-on and with her club, she is able to achieve incredible success through her skills, experience and network.
Membership
Mi Yang
District 356-C, Jeonju Dong Haeng Lions Club
Jeonju, Korea
Lion Mi’s ability to inspire service and attract new members is exceptional. Her dedication to growing her club has helped grow membership into the largest within her district.
Leadership
Catherine Huang Wei
District 385, Beijing Chao Yang Lions Club
Beijing, China
Lion Catherine is a model for future leaders, both men and women. Her dedication and contributions to training new Lions and developing leadership is preparing the next generation of Lion leaders.
Marketing
Pai-Hsiang Fang
District 300-C2, Taichung Hsien Wu Chih Port Lions Club
Taichung, China Taiwan
Lion Pai-Hsiang effectively showcases his club’s service to the community. His outreach and promotion has provided many new members with a reason for joining.
CA6 – ISAAME
Service
Sapna Bajaj
District 322-D, Brahmaputra Valley Dibrugarh Lions Club
Dibrugarh, India
Lion Sapna is focused on relieving hunger and providing services for women and children in her community. Her positive outlook and eagerness to learn has been critical to her club’s impact.
Membership
Evelet Mendoza
District 318-E, Thalassery City Lions Club
Thalassery, India
Lion Evelet is a powerful voice in motivating women to join Lions and creating gender parity in her club. She has also been instrumental in promoting the Measles-Rubella in certain areas of tough resistance.
Leadership
Suchitra Thapa
District 325-B1, Pokhara Seti Gandaki Lions Club
Pokhara, Nepal
Lion Suchitra encourages the “adoption” of little villages within the small, mountainous country of Nepal. She has promoted cataract surgery and helped many to regain their sight and their hope.
Marketing
Shyana Jayalath
District 306-A1, Colombo Host Lions Club
Ratmalana, Sri Lanka
Lion Shyana is driven by personal experience to support and organize treatment for children suffering from cancer. She is also confronting cyber bullying, especially against women, in her community.
All Africa
Service
Adeola Olatunbosun-Adedayo
District 404-B1, Lagos Isolo Lions Club
Lagos, Nigeria
Lion Adeola will not stand by as children suffer. She is thoughtful and experienced, and with her club, she has made a great impact in her community and the lives of countless young people.
Membership
Eugénie Andriamihaja
District 417, Farafangana Lions Club
Farafangana, Madagascar
Lion Eugénie is a passionate Lion who has focused her effort on helping the poor and underprivileged. Her considerable service experience as a Leo has helped her club reach out and achieve so much in her community.
Leadership
Dr. Lata Magon
District 411-A, Mombasa Pwani Lions Club
Mombasa, Kenya
Lion Lata believes that when it comes to serving those in need, there is no difference between men and woman. With her professional expertise, she provides dental treatment to those who cannot afford it.
Marketing
Sandy van Heerden
District 410-B, Roodepoort Wilro Park Lions Club
Roodepoort, South Africa
Lion Sandy is proud to be a Lion serving the less fortunate within her community. Her approach to public relations has been effective at informing the region of the impact Lions are making everywhere.
CA7 – ANZI
Service
Rosina Japaris
District 307-B1, Jakarta Selatan Centennial Wijayakusuma Lions Club
Jakarta Barat, Indonesia
Lion Rosina is always there when Lions need her. She has inspired several projects and social services for her club and their community including helping Special Olympics athletes.
Membership
Robin Parker
District 201-N1, Maclean Lions Club
Maclean, Australia
Lion Robin is dedicated to growing membership and increasing awareness of her club and Lions clubs everywhere. She challenged all Lions to increase the number of women members and helped restart and rebuild two clubs.
Leadership
Lynda Susan Halverson
District 202-K, Papkura Lions Club
Auckland, New Zealand
Lion Lynda is passionate about her service to others and has accomplished much as a Lion. Her leadership and experience has helped her clubs make a profound difference in her community.
Marketing
Ine Noor
District 307-A1, Jakarta Pusat Centennial Terra Lions Club
Jakarta, Indonesia
Lion Ine is dedicated to promoting the Lions mission to her community. Her enthusiasm, outreach and experience as a Leo and Lion has inspired many women and men to become members.
Karmeisha Boyd is the Women’s Initiative coordinator for Lions Clubs International.
