Kimberly Anderson
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.
Cynthia Bittner
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 Farrelly
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 Graening
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 Hansen
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 Johnson
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.
Wayne Kazmierczak, PhD
Dr. Kazmierczak, Superintendent of White Bear Lake Area Schools.
Mary Cleary Kowitz
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 Langer-Hansen
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.
MaryEllen Mieure
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 Nicholson
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 Ouren
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 Schmidt
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.
Bridget Sperl
Bridget is retired from Ameriprise Financial Services where she served as Head of Operations. All three of her children attended White Bear Lake Schools. She is an avid gardener, reader, volunteer, and proud grandma, committed to supporting the community and its schools.
Christina Streiff Oji
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.