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Leadership Team

Benjamin Lee, JD

Board President

Benjamin Lee is Vice President at Ascendium Education Group, focusing on compliance, risk management, and student loan policy. He earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota, specializing in nonprofit, corporate, and consumer law.

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Carole J. Trone, PhD

Executive Director

Carole Trone is Executive Director of the Coalition and Fair Opportunity Project, and President of College Goal Wisconsin. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from UW–Madison and has extensive experience in higher education leadership and access.

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Cheryl Rapp

Board Treasurer

Cheryl Rapp is a Finance Officer at the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions with over 20 years of state service. A past president of College Goal Wisconsin, she has extensive experience helping families navigate college affordability and the FAFSA process.

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Renola Swoboda

Board Member

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Michelle Reinen

Board Vice President & Secretary

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Hallie Lienhardt

Board Member

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Jennifer Andreas

Board Member

Michelle Reinen is Administrator of the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. With over 28 years of experience, she leads efforts to protect consumers and businesses from unfair practices.

Renola Swoboda is Digital Marketing Manager at Ascendium Education Group, specializing in digital communications, social media, and data analysis. She brings extensive experience from the student loan industry and holds a communications degree from Westwood College.

Jennifer Andreas is the Money Path Partnership Manager at SecureFutures, building partnerships with schools to advance financial education across Wisconsin. With over 25 years of nonprofit leadership, she is dedicated to promoting financial literacy and equity.

Hallie Lienhardt is Assistant Director of the UW–Madison Retirement and Disability Research Center, with over a decade of experience in research and outreach on financial capability and equity. She holds an M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from UW–Madison.

Advisory Board

Lara Sutherlin is Administrator of the Division of Legal Services at the Wisconsin Department of Justice. With 24 years of legal experience, she previously led the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection and served as an Assistant Attorney General.

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Lara A. Sutherlin, JD

Advisory Board Member and Coalition Co-Founder, Outgoing Board President

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John Wedge, PhD

Advisory Board Member and Coalition Co-Founder, Outgoing Board Vice President

John Wedge is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, Region 6, with over 13 years of experience advocating for public education statewide. Originally from London, he holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and previously taught at Eastern Illinois University.

Staff

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Shan Parcon

Digital Marketing and Outreach Coordinator

Shan Parcon is a Filipino digital marketing professional who supports the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt and its Executive Director, Carole Trone, in expanding their reach. He specializes in strategy, systems, and virtual team support, and is passionate about mentoring fellow freelancers—particularly men—to build confidence and make a meaningful impact online.