Scroll down for past board members
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Richard Chrz CoFounder/Executive Director of the Local Lupus Alliance
Favorite Quote
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." -Dalai Lama
"Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline." -Jim Collins
"You are your own Author, write the book that you want written." -Unknown
"The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." -Christopher McCandless
Education and Occupation
Graduate of South Central Technical College, Minnesota
Public Speaker on Compassion and Compassion in Healthcare
Patient Advocate for the College of Rheumatology, Washington DC, Capital Hill 2012 and 2014
Business Development and Community Relations Manager for Barnes and Noble
Executive Director for Local Lupus Alliance
What brought you to the LLA and what intrigued you about serving?
I was diagnosed with (SLE) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in July of 2010 with an additional diagnosis of (NPSLE) Neuropsyciatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Feb 2011. My life has changed immensely because of Lupus. Prior to my diagnosis I ran 50 and 100 mile trail races, now most days I'm in extreme pain to just stand, walk, sit or even lie down-there is no place of comfort. On a positive side, I have also learned some great life lessons from Lupus. I have more awareness and thankfulness for the present moment and life's little treasures. I have had to give up many of my life's dreams, and still struggle to redefine myself. My hopes are to make a difference in patients lives in ways so that they do not have to go through the same struggles I have. My mother has Lupus as well. Even though she was diagnosed and living with Lupus long before my illness surfaced, I had no real concept of what her days were like until I faced this disease myself.
Hobbies and interests
I truly enjoy music, it is one of the only things that can still transform my attitude within just a few notes. I love watching local grass root bands with my wife, at small venues. Even though I can not run right now (I am still determined that someday I will), I still enjoy following my friends on their adventures around the globe running on great trails and beautiful mountain backdrops. -
Deb Brague Vice President of the Local Lupus Alliance
Favorite Quote
"We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone." -Ronald Reagan
Education and Occupation
Operations Manager of the La Crosse Radio Group with 23 years in Radio Broadcasting. Broadcasting Certificate from Brown Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What brought you to the LLA and what intrigued you about serving?
My own diagnosis of Lupus and the chance to help others affected and to educate the community about the disease.
Has your life been touched by Lupus, and how?
I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2010 and am so thankful of the people I have met and become good friends with because of it.
Hobbies and interests
My husband, Paul and I have been married for 22 years. We have 3 daughters and 3 grand daughters with another grandchild on the way. Our youngest daughter, Morgan just graduated from Winona High and is in Finland as apart of the WWOOF program working at organic farms through the summer. Paul works for Scenic Concepts and is on the road a lot and is an avid and passionate hunter. I love being involved in the community and do what I can to support area organizations by providing sound systems/EMcing, etc. I love the outdoors and being active as well! I also dream of getting 8 hours of sleep at once. -
Melissa Schultz Treasurer of the Local Lupus Alliance
Favorite Quote
"If you think you can, you are right. If you think you can’t you are also right, so think positively and see what you can accomplish!" -Melissa Schultz
“Look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion, and up with gratitude.” -Zig Ziglar
Education and Occupation
Philanthropist and owner of Melissa Schultz.net
MelissaSchultz.net was established in 1998 providing services that allow non-profits and entrepreneurs grow. For the past two decades, Melissa has continued to work with business and non-profits across the country to help them coordinate all of the details of running their organization. As a graduate of Western Technical College, her education has continued through various trainings and certifications to keep apprised of technology, social media, website building and financial records. Organization is vital. It is something that is second nature to Melissa. Realizing that many people struggle to be organized, she has found that using her gift and skillset to help others brings great satisfaction.
What brought you to the LLA and what intrigued you about serving?
Renee and Richard brought me to LLA. With the challenges that they have faced together as Richard copes with this difficult disease, I have admired their positive attitude and wanted to help in some small way. With my background working with non-profits, I believe I can help organizationally as LLA establishes itself, raises funds and allocates those funds to those who need that extra help. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish and how we can provide that hope to others.
Has your life been touched by Lupus, and how?
My life has been touched by Lupus through Richard. Renee and I have become friends and it has made me aware of what an awful and debilitating disease this is! A cure needs to be found and in the meantime, we need to do what we can to help those who are affected by it.
Hobbies and interests
I really enjoy doing just about anything with my family as well as organizing, scrapbooking, bike riding, gardening, watching movies, and exploring this beautiful area! -
Karolee Behringer Board Member
Favorite Quote
"Where there is great love, there are always miracles." -Willa Sibert Cather
Education and Occupation
Community Education Manager at Essential Health Clinic with 25 years in Reproductive Health.
What brought you to the LLA and what intrigued you about serving?
I meet Richard and Renee at a grant writing workshop a few years back and Richard was the first person I was able to connect to that helped me understand this disease from a male’s perspective. It was the first time in two years that I felt hopeful and supported. I hope that through LLA I can help others as Richard and Renee did for me.
Has your life been touched by Lupus, and how?
I had heard the word Lupus but never really knew what it was, other than it was a disease that so and so had that effected their joints. I learned it was so much more when my 23 year old son started having back pain and upper respiratory issues that warranted several visits to the emergency room with follow ups to various doctors and departments, then various procedures with the end result being the same, “we didn’t find anything so I will have you follow up with your regular doc.” Feeling helpless, frustrated and scared I refused to accept that answer again and it was that doctor who finally listened and guided us in the right direction. Since my son’s diagnosis of Lupus and APS I have learned the Lupus affects everyone differently, it is greatly misunderstood and difficult to diagnose. We need to raise the level of awareness through education and advocacy. No one should feel alone.
Hobbies and interests
I love to spend time with my family, repurposing furniture, painting, bike riding and golfing. -
Doug White Board Member
Education and Occupation
Chief, Rheumatology at Gundersen Health System
MD, PhD University of Iowa
Residency in Internal Medicine Parkland Hospital Dallas, Texas
Fellowship in Rheumatology at Barnes Jewish Hospital St. Louis Missouri -
Christopher Mayne Board Member
Education and Occupation
Biomedical Science Educator and Researcher at Viterbo University
My research interests focus on utilizing genetic and molecular techniques to dissect complex immunological phenomena, with an emphasis on autoimmune disease and regulation of immune responses. I performed my doctoral studies on a National Institutes of Health (NIH) traineeship in the Genetics Ph. D. program at University of Wisconsin-Madison. In my research I used genetic techniques to identify a complex BAFF-R mutation as a novel contributor to B cell-mediated autoimmunity. This characterization established a new mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the presence of B lymphopenia (a relative lack of B cells) and was supported via an award from the Lupus Foundation of America. The BAFF-R pathway is now a target for SLE treatment via belimumab (trade name Benlysta). I then transitioned into a short-term postdoctoral position studying the effects of vitamin D treatment on a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. This work resulted in the first evidence of a direct target of vitamin D in the immune system necessary for its protective effects. I performed my postdoctoral research under an NIH National Research Service Award fellowship in the Rheumatology division of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and Children’s Research Institute of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. At MCW I investigated the role of regulatory T cells in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease. My current research centers on immune regulation of microbe-immune interactions, and how the relationship between the host and colonizing microbiota influences autoimmune disease. -
Nicki Veenendall Board Member
Favorite Quote
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." -Joshua J. Marine
Education and Occupation
President/CEO of Mobile Life Inc.
Nicki Veenendall is the President/CEO of Mobile Life Inc, a Verizon Premium Retailer with 7 locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She holds BS degrees in Biomedicine and Psychology. Her previous work experience in emergency medicine, education and personal relationships that have been impacted by Lupus are what drew her to be involved with the LLA. As a wife and mother of 3, she has been affected by Lupus through the many struggles that her mother-in-law, Faith experienced before ultimately losing her 33 year battle with Lupus at the age of 53. She hopes to help raise the level of support, education and awareness to a very misunderstood and difficult disease. -
Sam Scinta Board Member
Education and Occupation
Yale University
Lecturer in the Political Science Department at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University
About Sam
After graduating from Yale University in 1991 with a degree in political science, Sam Scinta joined North American Press, a division of Fulcrum Publishing, as a research associate. Sam received his J.D. from the University of Denver in 1998, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Transportation Law Journal, and worked as a public finance attorney. He returned to Fulcrum in 2001 as Vice President and Associate Publisher, and in 2006, was named President and Publisher. He has worked as project editor for dozens of Fulcrum’s titles.
Sam is a Lecturer in the Political Science Department at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University, focusing on public policy and American government, including civic education.
He served as President of the Board of Publishers Association of the West, President of the Wisconsin Center for the Book and Board member of the Jefferson County (Colorado) Public Library Foundation. He is a member of the Board of Curators of the Wisconsin Historical Society and a member of the American Antiquarian Society.
In 2013, Sam created a civics engagement and critical thinking program for Onalaska High School, La Crosse, WI which he still guides, and is currently piloting a civics and critical thinking program for the La Crosse County Juvenile Detention Facility. -
Past Board Members
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Jonella Rademacher Board Member for one-year term during 2014-2015
Education and Occupation
Philanthropist and owner of JoBa Flat
Graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in molecular, cellular and developmental biology and a teaching credential from the University of Denver.
Jonella is the owner of JoBa Flat, a women's specialty clothing business. Her goal is to empower women with beautiful, singular designs that keep them on the fashion's leading edge and to grow over time a beautiful coordinated wardrobe. She is also the president of Coulee Region United Soccer Association, which encompasses 430 players and she manages a 52 acre soccer facility. She has extensive experience working on non-profit boards.
Hobbies and interests
In her free time, Jonella enjoys travel, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband and three children. -
Erik Sjolander Board Member for one-year term during 2014-2015
Favorite Quote
"If it's to be, it's up to me." -Dale Carnegie
"If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want." -Zig Ziglar
Education and Occupation
Graduate of Luther College in Decorah Iowa
Stoney Creek Hospitality Corporation employee for eight years
La Crosse Radio Group employee for eight years
Erik Sjolander is in his eighth year working at the La Crosse Radio Group where he currently serves as the Director of Interactive Media. His duties include maintaining and developing Internet strategies including websites and social media opportunities for five radio stations. He also designs websites and social media strategies for local businesses and organizations.
Outside of work Erik spends countless hours serving the community as a volunteer. A native of Onalaska, Erik is currently serving in his second term as a First District Alderperson for the City of Onalaska. He is also a Field Director with the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization. In this role, Erik works with six Miss America local preliminary pageants. For the last three years Erik has also been an Associate Producer of the Miss Virginia Scholarship pageant working in several areas of stage production including photo and video. He is an active board member and charter member of the Onalaska High School Alumni Association. Erik is also an active volunteer of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
Has your life been touched by Lupus, and how?
I first heard and learned about Lupus through the Miss America Organization. A young woman was competing at a local preliminary and chose to have Lupus Awareness as her platform because she was diagnosed with Lupus. It wasn't long after learning about this disease through her platform that I had two friends that were diagnosed with the disease. Both of my friends continue to live a normal lifestyle but they've had to adapt to some changes because of Lupus. What brought me to LLA was the desire to create more awareness about Lupus and through that also raise funds for research.
Hobbies and interests
In his free time, Erik enjoys bicycling throughout the Coulee Region with his family and recently took to running as a second choice of exercise. -
Jodi Widuch Secretary of the Local Lupus Alliance
Favorite Quote
"You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need." -Rolling Stones
Education and Occupation
BS, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, Education, Major, French, minor English
Executive Director of The Parenting Place since 2002
What brought you to the LLA and what intrigued you about serving?
A friendship introduced me to the LLA. When I was asked to consider Board membership I immediately said "yes" because I wanted to support and contribute in a meaningful way to this new organization.
Has your life been touched by Lupus, and how?
Even though my life hasn't been directly touched by Lupus, I am very aware of how the diagnosis has affected my friend. I am especially moved by how unpredictably the disease can impact her daily life and interfere with the things she loves to do.
Hobbies and interests
I am a life-long resident of La Crosse (with two brief stays out of the area; Cannes, France and Mauston, WI), married to Daniel and have one daughter, Morgan who is an economics major at Macalester College in St. Paul. When I am not working (I love my job) I relax by gardening, reading, hanging in coffee shops, walking and a little bit of canoeing. And once in a while I become totally consumed by scrapbooking. I combat my love for chocolate and sweet treats by attending Jazzercise several times a week. -
Renee Chrz CoFounder of the Local Lupus Alliance
Education and Occupation
Philanthropist and owner of Innovative Graphics
Renee is motivated by helping others. She is the owner of Innovative Graphics, a graphic design and marketing agency in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She helps businesses, as well as nonprofits promote their organizations and events.
