April/May 2009 - Junior League of Minneapolis

Members
85 LEAGUERS: ANNA LYON
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AS A WAY OF LIFE
By Leah Bain Maki, External Communications Chair
FUN FACTS
Family: Husband Chris, Daughter Petra (4 1/2) and Golden Retriever,
Fletcher
Year joined the league: 1999
Advice for new members: “Your Junior League membership is a marathon, not a sprint -
pace yourself for all the amazing things that will come when
you are able to enjoy the journey!”
Anna’s quirks: “I love internet shopping, have a habit of staying up into the
wee hours of the night and feel like the only person in the
world who doesn't have a Facebook page!
Education: Luther College, graduated in 1995
Favorite quote: “The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The
tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.” - Benjamin Mays
Anna Lyon’s strong commitment and passion for the JLM and the women who make up our membership are evident in all
she does. Over Anna Lyon’s Junior League career she has been actively involved in all three pillars of the League – Fundraising,
Membership & Community. Her past placement history includes leadership positions such as Winter Market Chair, Helping
Hands Chair, Transfer Committee Chair, VP of Membership, Placement Advisor, and the list goes on! Her most memorable
moment within the League was during her 4 ½ year involvement with Winter Market where she volunteered as an assistant to
Andrew Zimmern when he was doing cooking demonstrations at one of the first events. “I remember clear as day him telling
a group of us that his goal was to have his own TV show talking about bizarre and weird foods throughout the world and how
he someday wanted to be famous like Rachel Ray. That was the same year he was awarded our Community Partner of the Year
award,” said Anna Lyon. “Now he IS a celebrity and his show is a mega-hit - even though sometimes I can’t watch his show
because it grosses me out!”
In addition to her commitment to the League, Anna is also very involved in other organizations. She is a founding member of the
United Way Women’s Leadership Council, a patron supporter of the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, a parent volunteer at
St. David’s preschool and a former board member of the Jungle Theater. “Community involvement is a way of life for me and
my family,” states Anna.
Anna’s passion doesn’t stop with her community involvement; she is equally passionate about her career and her family. For the
last 9 years, she has worked as the Global Accounts Sales Manager for an audio/web conferencing company. She also enjoys
wearing her hat as mother and wife. “I enjoy spending every free moment I have with my husband Chris and daughter Petra -
we enjoy doing everything together as a family,” said Anna Lyon. “We love to travel, ski, play golf, and our current obsession is
playing family Uno!”
Next year, Anna will be President of the JLM. “The League has given me so much more than I ever anticipated! I walked into
this organization as a young naïve newlywed looking to do some volunteering and 9 years later I am a working mother getting
ready to lead one of the most well-known women’s organizations in the country. I have been mentored, nurtured, supported,
encouraged, developed, befriended, trained, responsible for large events and deliverables, and the list could go on. Most of all,
I have learned how important it is to be a role model for my daughter, our community and our organization. I am so proud to
be a JLM member and can only hope that someday I can give a quarter back of what has given to me.”
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