Why Member Spotlights Matter
At Cosmopolitan, our greatest strength has always been our people.
Member Spotlights are more than just profiles—they are a way to recognize the individuals who bring our organization to life every day. Through these features, we celebrate the unique stories, experiences, and contributions of our members across all clubs and communities.
Spotlights help us stay connected. They give us the opportunity to learn more about one another, share ideas, and build a stronger sense of belonging—whether you’re a long-time member or just getting started.
They also play an important role in shaping our future. By highlighting a diverse range of members—from seasoned leaders to new and student members—we show what it means to be a Cosmopolitan and inspire others to get involved.
Most importantly, Member Spotlights remind us that every member has a story worth sharing—and that each of us contributes to the impact we make together.
We encourage you to take a moment to read, connect, and celebrate your fellow members. You might just discover a new idea, a shared passion, or a reason to reach out and say hello.
We are COSMOPOLITAN INTERNATIONAL
We empower our members to make change in their communities.
CURRENT: Member
CLUB: Sioux Falls Noon & Sioux Falls Evening Club
Ludene McLeod, 15 Years of Service
A Passion for Service- Current Board Member, Sioux Falls Noon Club
- Acting Lieutenant Governor
- Past Club President (twice – Noon & Evening clubs)
- Past Governor
“Be involved. Get to know everybody. Go to conventions. Talk to as many people as you can—you’ll make friends and learn a lot.”
Background: U.S. Army veteran; experience in property management; currently works in payroll within a CPA firm
Hobbies: Dogs, horses, reading, and attending Cosmopolitan conventions
Described as: Dependable, outgoing, and engaged
CURRENT: Member
CLUB: Aurora Cosmopolitan Club
LaVonne Hawking: 26 Years of Service, Leadership, and Heart
LaVonne Hawking’s journey with Cosmopolitan International began with a simple invitation—and grew into more than two decades of meaningful service, leadership, and lasting friendships.
Although she had known members for some time, it wasn’t until she attended an Oktoberfest event that she truly experienced what Cosmopolitan was about. Listening to members share their passion for supporting diabetes initiatives made a lasting impression. With one free evening a month, she decided to get involved—and, as she says, “the rest is history.”
Over the past 26 years, LaVonne has taken on numerous leadership roles, including Club President, Secretary, Vice President of 300, and Mid-States Federation Governor. Her dedication reflects a deep commitment not only to her club, the Aurora Cosmo Club, but to the broader mission of Cosmopolitan International.
One of the causes closest to her heart is the Diabetic Alert Dog program. Seeing her club help fund dogs for eight families stands out as one of her proudest accomplishments—real, tangible impact that changes lives.
For LaVonne, some of the most meaningful moments have come through connection: attending conventions, meeting new people, and strengthening
friendships year after year. It’s these relationships, along with the shared mission, that have kept her engaged for so long.
She’s also witnessed challenges—particularly the decline in membership and the difficulty of attracting younger members. Despite this, her belief in the organization remains strong.
“Knowing that there is hope for a cure for diabetes,” she says, is what Cosmopolitan has meant to her personally.
Her advice to new members is simple but powerful: don’t be afraid to get involved. She believes that active participation is the key to a thriving club—and to finding fulfillment within the organization.
Outside of Cosmopolitan, LaVonne enjoys walking, attending plays, movies, concerts, and playing games like bunco and scrabble. A fun fact: she grew up on a dairy farm and was once both a dairy queen and prom queen!
Described as kind, considerate, and outgoing, LaVonne embodies the spirit of Cosmopolitan International. Looking ahead, her greatest hope is clear: a cure for diabetes—and a continued legacy of service that inspires future generations.
CURRENT: Governor Elect, MOKAN Federation
CLUB: Heartland Santa Fe Trail Cosmo Club (President)
Kelly Figge: Leading with Passion, Purpose, and Community Spirit
For nearly two decades, Kelly Figge has been a driving force within Cosmopolitan International. A member since 2007, Kelly proudly represents the Heartland–Santa Fe Trail Cosmo Club in the Mo-Kan Federation, where her leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm have made a lasting impact.
Currently serving as Club President and Governor-Elect, Kelly leads by example—bringing a positive attitude, strong networking skills, and a genuine commitment to service. Over the years, she has held numerous leadership roles, including serving twice as Club President and twice as Lieutenant Governor for Kansas. Her experience reflects not only longevity, but a deep-rooted passion for the organization’s mission.
What has kept Kelly engaged for 19 years is simple yet powerful: the people. She describes her fellow members as family—united by a shared purpose and a personal connection to the fight against diabetes. This passion fuels her ongoing involvement in community outreach, education, and fundraising efforts. One of her favorite projects is raising funds through funnel cake sales to help send children to Camp Planet D each year.
Kelly’s Cosmopolitan journey is filled with meaningful milestones. One of her most memorable experiences was attending her first International Convention in New Orleans in 2009, where she was welcomed and guided by fellow members, creating a lasting impression of connection and camaraderie. Among her proudest achievements is being named Club President of the Year after leading her club to win 7 out of 9 awards at an International Convention—a recognition that came as a complete surprise.
Beyond Cosmopolitan, Kelly brings a wealth of professional experience from a 30-year career with AT&T Wireless, where she held a wide range of roles across customer service, human resources, payroll, fraud, quality assurance, and sales operations. This diverse background has contributed to her strong leadership and organizational skills.
Kelly is also passionate about personal interests including gardening, genealogy, and collecting records, Barbies, stamps, and historical currency. A unique piece of her personal history: she is a direct descendant of Mose and Annie Grinter, early Kansas settlers who operated one of the first ferries across the Kansas River in 1831.
Looking ahead, Kelly hopes to see continued support and resources for clubs to grow and thrive—and, most importantly, she dreams of seeing a cure for diabetes in her lifetime.
Her advice to new members? Get involved, connect with others, and clearly define your “why.” Because as Kelly knows, it’s the people, the purpose, and the passion that make Cosmopolitan truly special.
Would you like to talk to Kelly? Send an email to Membership@Cosmopolitan.org (please put her name in the subject line) and your message will be passed along to Kelly.