Inaugural class of awardees includes Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware president/CEO and 39 other women whose life and work embody leadership, empowerment and community impact

WILMINGTON, Delaware – A longtime leader in Delaware’s nonprofit and business communities has been selected by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) for its inaugural 40 Over 40 member recognition. Pam Cornforth, who is a 37-year member of the Junior League of Wilmington (JLW) as well as the president and chief executive officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware, was honored for the significant impact she has had in her profession and her community.

The 40 Over 40 Awards acknowledge League members who have made exceptional achievements in their lives and careers. Recipients are recognized as women who demonstrate outstanding leadership and a commitment to driving positive change; empower, uplift and inspire themselves and others to reach full potential; and make a positive impact through contributions to local organizations, volunteer work or initiatives that address community needs.

“The Junior League of Wilmington is proud to recognize Pam for her extraordinary leadership and dedication,” said JLW President Merrie Goodlander. “Her service to our League and to the Wilmington community is unmatched.”

Cornforth joined the JLW in 1987, after moving to the area as a loan officer turned stay-at-home mom and being solicited by League members to buy raffle tickets to support construction of a Ronald McDonald House in Delaware. After becoming a JLW member, she eventually went on to lead the League’s Ronald McDonald Raffle Committee and ultimately would be tapped to serve as president of the JLW (1997-98) and hired as Ronald McDonald House president/CEO (1999-present).

She said she appreciates that “the Junior League gives you a place to try something out.” In fact, she credits the organization for providing her with the know-how needed for her career in nonprofit leadership.

“Fundraising, strategic planning, volunteer management,” she said. “I learned all of that through the League.”

In addition to overseeing all of Delaware’s Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Hospital Family Room operations, which serve 5,000 families yearly, Cornforth has led two expansions that more than doubled capacity and amenities. She also led a $5M capital campaign as well as a rebrand to reflect expanding mission and reach. In addition, she has served on the Ronald McDonald House Charities Global Advisory Board, as Co-Chair of RMHC’s direct mail advisory committee and on an ad hoc RMHC impact-study team.

Cornforth has served her local nonprofit and business communities as Delaware Association of Nonprofit Agencies Board Chair; Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Superstars in Business Committee Chair and Small Business Alliance Board of Managers Co-Chair; Delaware Fund for Women Founder, Secretary and Board Chair; Rotary Club of Wilmington President; and a Delaware Community Foundation Board member. As a JLW Sustainer, Cornforth has remained a valued resource for the League, serving terms as Sustainer Advisor to the President and Sustainer Director on the Board.

Her leadership and service have been recognized with selection as a SmartCEO magazine Brava! Women Business Achievement Award winner and Brava! Hall of Fame member; a 2019 Delaware Today/Delaware Business Times Women in Business honoree; and the 2023 Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Gilman Bowl recipient. In 2024, she was chosen as USA TODAY’s Delaware Woman of the Year, which recognizes women across the United States who have had a significant impact on their communities. Shortly after being named to the 2025 AJLI 40 Over 40, she was presented with the Delaware Business Times 2025 CEO of the Year Award for Medium Nonprofits.

The Junior League is one of the oldest and largest premier women’s organizations, committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. Since 1901, The Junior League Movement has addressed community issues through hands-on projects, partnerships with local organizations and advocacy efforts. Through leadership training, community collaboration and service projects, the Junior League exists to Develop Women to Do a World of Good™, making a lasting impact on the lives of those served.

There are more than 113,000 women in 297 Leagues throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Kenya, and the Annual AJLI Awards recognize fewer than 20 League members and programs per year. In 2024, AJLI created the Biennial 40 Under 40 and 40 Over 40 Awards to celebrate more members who have made significant contributions to their communities.

Cornforth’s recognition is the fourth AJLI Award for the JLW and its members in the last eight years. The first three were the 2017 Public Policy & Advocacy Award, which the JLW received for its work to get Erin’s Law passed in Delaware; the 2018 Mary Harriman Community Leadership Award, which recognized longtime JLW member and Delaware State Senator Margaret Rose Henry; and the 2022 Community Impact Award, which lauded the JLW’s ongoing Stand Up. Period. initiative to address menstrual poverty.

Cornforth lives in Landenberg, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Doug. They have three adult children – including JLW member Anna Cornforth Jansen – and two grandchildren.