Our Mission in Action
The JJ’s Legacy™ team is committed to:
- Increasing organ, eye, and tissue donor registrations throughout Kern County
- Educating students and community members about the importance of donation
- Supporting donor and recipient families through compassionate programs and resources
- Creating meaningful community events that inspire hope and save lives
- Honoring the heroes and families behind every donation story
Leadership Team
Lori Malkin
Founder & Executive Director
After the tragic loss of her son, Jeffrey “JJ” Johns, in 2009, Lori Malkin turned unimaginable grief into a mission of hope, healing, and life-saving impact. Inspired by JJ’s organ donation journey, she founded JJ’s Legacy™ to educate the Kern County community about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation while supporting donor and recipient families through compassionate programs and outreach.
Under Lori’s leadership, JJ’s Legacy has grown into a respected nonprofit organization that has inspired thousands of donor registrations, developed student leadership programs, supported local transplant families, and created meaningful community events that honor the Gift of Life. Her passion, advocacy, and dedication continue to impact countless lives throughout Kern County and beyond.
Fun Fact: Lori's passion for honoring donor heroes and supporting transplant families began with a promise to her son, Jeffrey. More than 15 years later, she continues to turn that promise into action, helping thousands of families learn about the lifesaving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Bob Malkin
JJ's Legacy Golf Chair
Bob has been a dedicated supporter of JJ's Legacy since its inception and serves as the Chair of the organization's signature Golf Classic - one of Kern County's premier golf tournaments. Alongside his wife, Lori Malkin, Bob has played a vital role in helping JJ's Legacy's impact throughout the community by raising awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation and supporting programs that provide hope and assistance to donor families, transplant recipients, and those awaiting lifesaving transplants.
A respected local business leader and real estate professional, Bob brings decades of experience in relationship-building, event leadership, and community engagement. His passion for service and commitment to honoring donor heroes has helped make the annual JJ's Legacy Golf Classic a highly anticipated event that raises critical funds to support the organization's mission.
Bob is proud to support JJ's Legacy's efforts to educate future generations, assist transplant families, and inspire the community to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors. Together with Lori, he remains committed to ensuring Jeffrey's legacy continues to create hope and save lives throughout Kern County and beyond.
Fun Fact: Bob believes some of the best conversations happen on the golf course, which is why he loves using the annual tournament to connect people to the mission of JJ's Legacy and inspire support for organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Ashley Badoud
Got the Dot Program and Club Director
ashleyb@jjslegacy.org
Ashley Badoud serves as the Got the Dot™ Program & Club Director for JJ's Legacy™, where she leads the organization's flagship youth education and leadership initiative. In this role, Ashley works closely with students, advisors, schools, and community partners to educate young people about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation while developing the next generation of community leaders.
Ashley oversees the Got the Dot High School Program, supporting student clubs throughout Kern County and helping students build skills in leadership, public speaking, community outreach, event planning, and advocacy. Through her guidance, students learn how to become trusted health ambassadors within their schools, families, and communities, creating meaningful conversations that inspire donor registration and save lives.
Passionate about youth development and community engagement, Ashley is committed to empowering students to make a difference while honoring the legacy of donor heroes. Her dedication helps ensure that the Got the Dot program continues to educate thousands of students each year and expand its impact across Kern County.
Fun Fact: Ashley is a proud alumna of the Got the Dot program and now helps inspire the next generation of student leaders to carry the mission forward.
Lezley Taylor
Director of Marketing & Operations
Lezley Taylor serves as the Director of Marketing & Operations for JJ's Legacy, where she oversees the organization's marketing, communications, events, fundraising support, digital presence, and day-to-day operations. With more than 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, branding, and community engagement, Lezley brings a strategic approach to advancing the organization's mission and expanding its impact throughout Kern County.
In her role, Lezley leads the development of marketing campaigns, donor communications, social media strategy, website management, event promotion, sponsorship fulfillment, and organizational operations. She is passionate about telling the powerful stories of donor heroes, transplant recipients, and families whose lives have been touched by organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Lezley's connection to JJ's Legacy is both professional and personal. Following the loss of her late husband, Michael Pumphrey, she experienced firsthand the impact of donation through the gift of cornea and tissue donation. That experience deepened her commitment to raising awareness and supporting families navigating the donation and transplant journey.
A Bakersfield native, Lezley has dedicated her career to helping organizations build meaningful connections with the communities they serve. She is proud to help honor donor heroes, support transplant families, educate future generations, and ensure that JJ's Legacy continues to inspire hope and save lives throughout Kern County.
Fun Fact: If you've seen a JJ's Legacy logo, event invitation, billboard, social media graphic, website, or marketing piece over the years, there's a good chance Lezley designed it. She has been helping shape the organization's creative identity since day one and has played a key role in developing the visual brand that continues to represent JJ's Legacy throughout the community.
Get in Touch With Our Organization
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