Leadership Team

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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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    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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    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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    Michelle Reinen

    BOARD VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY

    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.

  • A woman with curly hair tied back, wearing a black shirt, earrings, a necklace, and a smartwatch, smiling with arms crossed in a modern indoor setting.

    Renola Swoboda

    Board Member

    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.

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    Hallie Lienhardt

    Board Member

    Hallie Lienhardt is Outreach & Communications Manager for the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, 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.

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    Jennifer Andreas

    Board Member

    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.

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    Lara A. Sutherlin, JD

    Coalition Co-Founder

    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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    John Wedge, PhD

    Coalition Co-Founder

    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.

  • A young man with brown hair wearing a black shirt stands outdoors at night, with a yellow building with lighting, greenery, and a sign in the background.

    Shan Parcon

    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.