Executive Leadership
Executive Director
Carole J. TronePhD
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.
Media & Speaking
Request an Interview
Carole speaks on student debt, college access, and affordability in Wisconsin — available for press interviews, panels, and events.
Book a Time →Board of Directors
Board President
Benjamin LeeJD
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Benjamin LeeJD
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.
Board Treasurer
Cheryl Rapp
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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.
Board Vice President & Secretary
Michelle Reinen
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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.
Board Director
Renola Swoboda
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Renola Swoboda
Board Director
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.
Board Director
Hallie Lienhardt
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Hallie Lienhardt
Board Director
Hallie Lienhardt is Outreach & Communications Manager for the Institute for Research on Poverty at UW–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.
Board Director
Jennifer Andreas
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Jennifer Andreas
Board Director
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.
Board Director
Chazz Robinson
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Chazz Robinson
Board Director
Chazz Robinson is a proud Milwaukee native and an Education Policy Advisor at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, where his work focuses on student debt, college access, and student outcomes. He previously worked across think tanks, student affairs, and academic affairs. Chazz holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in education from the University at Buffalo, where he is also a PhD candidate in Education Policy Studies.
Advisory Board
Coalition Co-Founder
Lara A. SutherlinJD
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Lara A. SutherlinJD
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.
Coalition Co-Founder
John WedgePhD
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John WedgePhD
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.
Staff
Outreach Coordinator
Shan Parcon
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Shan Parcon
Outreach Coordinator
Shan Parcon is a Filipino digital marketing professional supporting the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt. He specializes in strategy, systems, and virtual team support.
Get Involved
Become a Member
Join the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt and help shape the future of higher education affordability across Wisconsin. Together we make a difference.
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