Lori joined the Foundation in 2020 as Executive Director. Lori has over 25 years of experience in leadership roles for nonprofits in the Twin Cities, Rochester and Winona. She has expertise in many areas of nonprofit leadership including: strategic planning, development, donor management, staff training/development, financial management, program management, community outreach and education, volunteer leadership and marketing. In addition, she has an extensive background in grant writing, event planning, and donor cultivation. Lori holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management from St. Scholastica and a Master of Arts in Management from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. Outside of work, Lori enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Emily joined the Foundation in 2023 as the Office Administrator. She comes to us with over two decades of administrative experience and has organized numerous fundraising events. Emily is an active volunteer with White Bear Lake Schools, Pompe Warrior Foundation, youth hockey and other youth sports. She and her husband moved to White Bear Lake in 2005 where they are proud to raise their four boys, all of whom are in enrolled in WBLAS. When she has time from her busy family life, Emily enjoys creating, gardening and cheering on her favorite teams - her kids'!
Mary joined the board in 2012 and currently serves as VP of Programs, overseeing the grant application process. Mary also serves as our volunteer coordinator and manager of The Closet. Mary is a retired Spanish teacher who worked in the WBLAS district for 38 years. Mary and her husband reside in Forest Lake.
Tiffany joined the board in 2021 and currently serves as Secretary. Tiffany taught 9th and 10th grade language arts for 23 years at WBLAS North Campus before being elected president of White Bear Lake Area Educators, Local #7286. Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Science in English from Bemidji State University and a Masters in Teaching and Learning from St. Mary's University.
Marge joined the board in 2020 and currently serves as President. She is a graduate of St. Catherine’s University with a degree in Nutrition and Food science. Marge is a licensed Dietitian and teacher. She spent 27 years teaching culinary arts in the Anoka-Hennepin School District and is recently retired.
Sheila joined the board in 2021. Sheila is a White Bear Lake Area graduate and resides and practices in White Bear Lake. Sheila received her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law and her B.S. from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.
Andrea joined the board in 2014 and serves as Past President. Andrea holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Ohio University and has over 25 years of experience in Marketing. She serves on our Marketing Committee contributing to the Foundation’s marketing efforts. Andrea and her husband reside in Vadnais Heights and have two children, both of whom are graduates of WBLAS.
Deb joined the board in 2016 and served as VP of Marketing. Deb was a professional event planner and marketer and was actively involved in the WBL community, serving as Event Director of White Bear Lake Marketfest and Township Day as well as numerous other organizations. Deb will be forever remembered in our hearts.
Chris joined the board in 2015 and currently serves as Treasurer. Chris has over 30 years of experience working in the financial private sector. He and his wife reside in Vadnais Heights and have two adult children that both graduated from WBLAS.
Kim joined the board in 2021 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Pacifica Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. Kim is a Director for Allianz Life. Kim and her husband reside in Vadnais Heights and have two children, both of whom are enrolled in WBLAS.
Cindy joined the board in 2022 and is a retired financial performance analyst at Wells Fargo. She holds a master’s degree in Music from Indiana University – Bloomington and a bachelor’s degree in Education from Concordia College – St. Paul, Minnesota. Cindy enjoys working on spreadsheets, databases and special projects and values the opportunities to volunteer for educational institutions on both sides of the pond. Cindy and her husband reside in Mahtomedi.
Ryan joined the board in 2022 and is originally from California. Previous to his current role as a Mechanical Engineer, Ryan started and ran a successful company, patented products and built a brand grossing more than $5M in sales. Ryan enjoys connecting people and helping causes that positively affect communities. Education has always had a special place in his heart, and he is excited to lends his talents to the foundation.
Shelly joined the board in 2024. She holds a master's degree in Nursing Education from North Dakota State University and currently teaches nursing at Century College. She and her husband live in White Bear Township. They have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. Their youngest will be graduating this year from WBLAS and their grandchildren also attend WBLAS.
Clint joined the board in 2022 and owns and operates a local real estate brokage and is a commercial strategy executive at Cargill. Clint holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He resides in White Bear Lake with his wife and son and is energized by the opportunity to help his local community with his talents gained throughout his career.
Angie joined the board in 2021 and previously served as Office Administrator for the Foundation. In addition to owning and managing Polar Glass and Mirror with her husband, Angie works as a bookkeeper for Newtrax. Angie and her husband reside in White Bear Lake and have two children, both of whom are enrolled in WBLAS.
Mary joined the board in 2017 and is a 1968 WB High School graduate. Mary has lived in White Bear since 1953 and worked for the school district for 44 years before retiring in 2013. Mary is a member of the White Bear Lake Lions Club and owns Designs By Mary, a floral and wedding consulting business. Mary currently serves as Board President of the White Bear Lake Alumni Association.
Donna joined the board in 2023 and is a retired finance and risk management executive with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. She and her husband reside in Hugo, MN.
Dr. Mao joined the board in 2020 and is an instructional designer in higher education. Dr. Mao earned his PhD in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife reside in Maplewood.
MaryEllen joined the board in 2015 and is a retired elementary teacher who taught in the WBLAS district for 34 years, primarily at Lincoln Elementary. MaryEllen was the Enrichment Coordinator and PTA Liaison at her school while serving on numerous building and district level committees. MaryEllen was honored and humbled to receive the Lynn Mielke Distinguished Educator Award in 2010. MaryEllen enjoys and values the opportunity to work with the dedicated members of the WBLAEF and the WBL community. MaryEllen and her husband reside in Roseville.
Leah joined the board in 2021 and is a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor specializing in yoga. Leah holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of MN - Duluth and resides in White Bear Lake with her husband and three children.
Lisa joined the board in 2022 and serves as Director of Student Support Services for White Bear Lake Area Schools. Lisa has been in education for 29 years and is currently working towards her doctorate at Bethel University.
Dan joined the board in 2018. Dan’s teaching experience began as a student teacher in New Zealand. His first official position was as a 5th grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary where he taught for 7 years before entering the administration role. During this time, he was recognized as White Bear Lake Area Teacher of the Year in 1997. In the fall of 1998, Dan accepted his first elementary interim principal position in Sartell, MN then spent 7 years as principal at Castle Elementary in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District. Dan served as Principal at Lincoln Elementary in White Bear Lake for many years and will be moving to North Star Elementary School in Hugo, when it opens in the Fall of 2022. Dan and his wife, resides in White Bear Lake and have two children, both of whom are graduates of WBLAS.
Chris joined the board in 2023 and currently serves as a School Board Member for the White Bear Lake Area Schools and the Professional Development Strategist for BrightWorks, a Minnesota Service Cooperative. Chris was born and raised in Los Angeles, California but after 31 years considers Minnesota to be home. She has 28 years of experience in Education in Minnesota serving as a teacher K-12, middle and elementary school Principal. She led professional development and continuous improvement at the district level where she assisted schools in developing their strategic focus with an equity lens. Chris is wife, mom to four adult children and three granddaughters, two of which are currently enrolled in the White Bear Lake School District.
