Board of Directors
Benjamin Lee, JD
Board President
Benjamin Lee is Associate Counsel at Ascendium Education Group, a nonprofit organization making education and training beyond high school a reality for more people.
Benjamin’s focus includes compliance, bankruptcy, incident response, and risk management, and he is a frequent trainer and presenter on student loans.
Benjamin received his law degree from the University of Minnesota, where he studied nonprofit, corporate, and consumer law, and took on student loans of his own.
Cheryl Rapp
Board Treasurer
Cheryl Rapp is a College Investment Program Finance Officer at the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. She has over 20 years of experience working for the State as the College Affordability Specialist prior to joining the College Savings Program. Her experience includes educating students, parents, teachers, and school counselors on the value of and how to complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid. Cheryl is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, from which she earned a bachelor's degree in humanistic studies.
Renola Swoboda
Board Member
Renola Swoboda is a Digital Marketing Manager at Ascendium Education Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives though higher education. Renola is a skilled digital communicator, social media innovator, and expert in digital data analysis.
With extensive experience in the higher education sector, she has provided support to Federal Student Aid (FSA) and student loan servicers, establishing herself as one of the world’s leading experts in digital communications within the student loan industry.
Renola holds a degree in communications from Westwood College and is also an alumna of DePaul University.
Michelle Reinen
Board Vice President & Secretary
Michelle Reinen is the Administrator of the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. She has over 28 years of experience working within the Division serving in a variety of roles. Some of her responsibilities have included identifying and working on new initiatives, building stakeholder relations and outreach to communities and various groups, as well as being responsible for the oversight and enforcement of WI laws that protect consumers and honest businesses against unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent practices in the marketplace. Michelle is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Madison, School of Human Ecology from which she earned her bachelor’s degree in Consumer Science; emphasis on Consumer Affairs in Business. She also holds a Business Analysis Certificate from the Wisconsin School of Business Center for Professional & Executive Development.
Hallie Lienhardt
Board Member
Hallie Lienhardt is the Assistant Director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Retirement and Disability Research Center. For over a decade she has managed research and outreach projects focused on building financial capability and driving greater economic equity and access. Prior to her work in research, Hallie worked for five years as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor across the state of Hawaii and then in Minneapolis-St. Paul. She earned an M.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Urban and Regional Planning and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas in African and African American Studies.
Jennifer Andreas
Board Member
For over 25 years, Jennifer Andreas has been an energetic force in the nonprofit sector, championing mission-driven initiatives that create lasting impact across the state. As Money Path Partnership Manager for SecureFutures, Jennifer leads partnerships with schools and educators empowering thousands of students each year with the critical tools to make informed decisions about their financial futures. With a deep commitment to financial literacy and educational equity, Jennifer comes to the board to play a pivotal role in shaping how we support students before college.
Advisory Board
Lara A. Sutherlin, JD
Advisory Board Member and Coalition Co-Founder, Outgoing Board President
Lara Sutherlin is an attorney with 24 years of experience. In January of 2023, she was appointed by Attorney General Josh Kaul as the Administrator of the Division of Legal Services at the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Prior to that, she served in Governor Ever’s Administration, as the Administrator of Trade and Consumer Protection at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Her area of expertise is consumer protection, having been an Assistant Attorney General in the consumer protection unit of the Wisconsin Department of Justice, and a class action wage and hour law attorney for a firm in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, and former law clerk of the Honorable Michael Melloy, United States District Court Judge.
John Wedge, PhD
Advisory Board Member and Coalition Co-Founder, Outgoing Board Vice President
John Wedge is Executive Director of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, Region 6. In this role he has spent the last 13 years working for Wisconsin educators, supporting public school teachers and employees, administrators and board members, and advocating for students and public education. Originally from London, England, he earned a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, and was formerly on the faculty at Eastern Illinois University.
Staff
Carole J. Trone, PhD
Interim Executive Director
Carole Trone is Executive Director of Fair Opportunity Project, a nationally focused and student-led nonprofit organization with a mission to empower students to access and afford college. Prior to this role, she served as Senior Vice President for Educational Services at the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. She earned a Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has taught and served in various roles there. Carole earned her undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University and is originally from Washington, D.C.
Carole J. Trone, PhD
Interim Executive Director
Yadira Ramirez is a graduate of Alverno College, achieving Honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Politics. She undertook an enriching internship with Soberalski Immigration Law while maintaining an impressive work ethic throughout her college journey. Yadira is passionate about volunteer opportunities and using her skills to help others. While also harnessing her creativity to make a positive impact. She hopes to use her bilingual background to help spread our mission.
Yadira Ramirez
Communications and Outreach Intern