Looking to take the next step in your career? Are you passionate about service? Well, your Elks family may have just the opportunity you’re looking for.

Current Fellow - Libby Willkomm

Libby joined the ENF team as the Elks Scholar Fellow in mid-June 2023, but she is no stranger to the Elks family. Libby is a 2019 Most Valuable Student Scholar sponsored by Sheboygan, WI Lodge No. 299. She grew up in Wisconsin, but moved to Ithaca, NY to study industrial and labor relations at Cornell University with a minor in inequality studies.

In college, Libby worked in the Office of Career Services supporting students through their career journeys and mentoring fellow first-generation college students. She also served as a director for Camp Kesem Cornell, an organization that provides a free summer camp experience for children impacted by a parent’s cancer. Additionally, she managed for the Cornell Wrestling Team.

Libby also engaged closely with the Elks family as a scholar. She attended service trips to San Diego and Seattle and participated in virtual engagement opportunities like speed friending and holiday parties. She is excited to join the ENF full-time to reconnect with familiar faces, get to know diverse community organizations, and immerse herself in Chicago! With her interests in higher education and nonprofit management, she thinks being the Scholar Fellow is the ideal opportunity, and she looks forward to planning service trips and building community among scholars.

Libby says, “As a past attendee of service trips, I know how valuable the experience is, and I feel so lucky to be in a role that helps to connect so many incredible minds from across the country through a shared value of service.”

Outside of work, Libby enjoys exploring the city, spending time with friends, reading, and traveling.

History of Elks National Foundation Fellow

The Elks National Foundation launched the Elks Scholar Fellowship in June 2015. Maryann Slater Dernlan, the first Fellow, accepted an open-ended position at the Foundation in November 2015. She led the first three Elks Scholar Service Trips to Manistique, Michigan; Oakland, California and Washington, D.C.

Jenna Johnson served as the second Elks Scholar Fellow through May 2018. By the end of her term, she led six Elks Scholar Service Trips. Two in Chicago, Illinois and trips to Dallas, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Santa Monica, California and Asheville, North Carolina.

John Kavula served as the third Elks Scholar Fellow through July of 2020. Despite the last part of his term being taken over by the COVID pandemic, John Successfully led five Elks Scholar Service Trips and numerous virtual events. Starting his work with the Elks at the 150 for 150 convening in San Antonio, Texas, John also led trips to Biloxi, Mississippi; Portland, Oregon; Chicago and San Diego.