Emily Suñez (Photo – Miriam Brummel)
Disability advocate, educator, artist, and nonprofit leader Emily Suñez has been selected for the Junior League’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2026, a national honor awarded by The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI). The recognition highlights emerging leaders across the Junior League movement who are driving meaningful community impact through service, innovation, and advocacy.
By Rena Kurlander
For the Junior League of Pasadena (JLP), Suñez’s selection is both a point of pride and a reflection of her deep commitment to strengthening community systems. As a member of the League’s Operations Committee, she works to enhance internal structures that support the organization’s mission-driven programs.
A Leader Shaped by Lived Experience
Suñez is widely known for her advocacy on behalf of people living with chronic and invisible illnesses. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and autonomic nervous system disorder, she shifted away from her career as a classroom ESL teacher and transformed her personal health challenges into a platform for community support.
What began in 2018 as a small Pasadena POTS support group grew into the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN), a nonprofit she co-founded to serve patients across the region. Under her leadership as Co‑Executive Director, LADN expanded to include:
- Support groups for adults, teens, and caregivers
- Patient education programs
- Community-building events
- A grant program assisting low-income patients with medical expenses
Her work earned her the 2024 Robert Gorski Access Award from the City of Pasadena for advancing accessibility and improving quality of life for people with disabilities.
Educator, Artist, and Advocate
Today, Suñez serves as LADN’s Outreach Director while returning to her roots in education as a K–8 reading interventionist, specializing in dyslexia and other learning disabilities. She also champions the therapeutic value of creativity. Her award-winning oil paintings have been featured in galleries across California, including a recent solo exhibition at San Marino’s Crowell Public Library.
Suñez is also the author and illustrator of The Healing Journal: Guided Prompts & Inspiration for Life with Illness (2022), a reflective tool designed for individuals navigating chronic illness and disability.
A Record of Service
Beyond her nonprofit leadership, Suñez volunteers as a literacy tutor at Longfellow Elementary School through Reading Partners and helped organize “SheCounts: Women Owning Their Financial Future,” a financial literacy conference created by her JLP new member class.
A Recognition of Impact
Suñez’s inclusion in the 40 Under 40 Class of 2026 underscores her dedication to building inclusive communities and empowering others through education, creativity, and compassionate leadership. For the many individuals and families touched by her work, the honor reflects what they already know: her influence is both far-reaching and deeply personal.
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