Spring Lake Schools

Foundation

Board of Directors

The neighbors keeping kids first

The Foundation is guided entirely by volunteers: parents and community members who review every grant, plan Lakerpalooza, and make sure every donated dollar lands in a classroom. No offices, no salaries, just neighbors.

Executive committee

Officers

Zach Kohley

President

Zach leads the board through grant seasons and Lakerpalooza alike, keeping the Foundation focused on what reaches students first.

Kim McLaughlin

Vice President

Kim helps steer the Foundation's programs and partnerships, connecting the work across all five school buildings.

Josh Datte

Treasurer

Josh keeps every donated dollar accounted for, from partner checks to endowment earnings, until it lands in a classroom.

Tarah Okarski

Secretary

Tarah keeps the board organized and on the record, so good ideas become minutes, motions, and funded grants.

Directors

The full board

Every director reads grant applications, champions the Foundation around town, and pitches in when Lakerpalooza needs hands.

Krista Brennfoerder

Director

A familiar face at school events, Krista helps the Foundation stay connected to the families it serves.

Lindsay Cousineau

Director

Lindsay brings warmth and hustle to the board's community events, Lakerpalooza above all.

Amy Dahl

Director

Amy champions the classroom grants that give teachers room to try their best ideas.

Jan Ennis

Director

A longtime supporter of Spring Lake schools, Jan brings perspective and steadiness to the board's work.

Jennifer Guernsey

Director

Jennifer helps the Foundation tell its story, so more neighbors know where their gifts go.

Shey Howard

Director

Shey keeps student experiences at the center of every funding conversation.

Jennifer King

Director

Jennifer helps the board think ahead, from this year's grants to the next decade of the endowment.

Mindy Linebaugh

Director

Mindy pitches in wherever the work is, from grant review to the check-presentation photos.

Ashley McCormick

Director

Ashley helps connect local businesses with the partner program that funds so much of this work.

Jennie Nowak

Director

Jennie brings energy to the Foundation's events and an eye for what makes them feel like Spring Lake.

Matt Palmer

Director

Matt helps the board weigh each grant's reach, so funding lands where it does the most good.

John Rizor

Director

John lends a practical eye to the Foundation's plans, from budgets to banners.

Julianne Schaal

Director · Past President

A past president of the Foundation, Julianne carries its history and keeps its standards high.

Kari Wiersma

Director

Kari helps grant dollars translate into real classroom moments across the district.

Dennis Furton

Advisor · Superintendent, SLPS

As superintendent, Dennis connects the Foundation's giving to the district's priorities, so every grant lands where it matters most.

Have ideas? Want to serve?

We welcome your feedback on the Foundation's work, and when a board seat opens we look for neighbors who love these schools. Say hello.

Contact the board