President Jo Bonner and wife Janee at employee appreciation day.

First Lady

Janée Lambert Bonner

Janée Lambert Bonner is the wife of the University of South Alabama’s fourth president, Jo Bonner.

Growing up in Mobile, Janée graduated from St. Paul’s Episcopal School, then went on to earn a earn a Bachelor of Arts in History from Rhodes College in Memphis. Upon graduation from Rhodes, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she served for six years as a senior legislative aide to Rep. Andy Ireland, R-Florida.  She then worked another six years for the American Society of Anesthesiologists, serving as the federal affairs coordinator and director of political action.

In Washington, she served on the boards for several volunteer organizations and notably was chair of Taste of the South, an annual gala that has raised millions of dollars for various Southern charities since 1982.  She has also remained active in both the Congressional Club and the Republican Spouses Club, affiliations she made when her husband served in the U.S. Congress.

Closer to home, Janée has been a leader in a number of philanthropic and civic organizations. In 2008-2009, she was president of the Junior League of Mobile, one of the most active Junior Leagues in the United States.  She has also served in board positions for the Exploreum Science Center, United Way of Southwest Alabama, the Mobile Area Education Foundation, St. Paul’s Episcopal School, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery and the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. Janée was also a member of Leadership Mobile, Class of 2007. 

Jo and Janée are the parents of two children, a daughter, Lee, and a son, Robins.

Like her husband, Janée is honored to be involved in many different aspects of the USA campus, including the student experience, the healthcare aspect and general college events, as well as the overall community that surrounds the campus.

  • First Lady with greek students during week of welcome.
  • President Bonner and first lady at bowl game in California.
  • President Bonner and first lady at Graduation.
  • President Bonner and first lady with their children at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
  • President Bonner and First Lady with Vice President Kent and her husband.
  • First Lady smiling at Arlene Mitchell.
  • First Lady at event speaking to two people.
  • First Lady laughing and handing out buttons.