Members of the Washington State University Vancouver Advisory Council are appointed by the chancellor of WSU Vancouver. They represent all sectors of the community, help support the university’s mission and help create the partnerships that drive the success of WSU Vancouver. Council members are strictly advisory. They are not part of the formal governance of the university.
| Photo | Member | Biography |
|---|---|---|
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Jennifer Baker |
Jennifer Baker is president of the Columbia River Economic Development Council. She joined CREDC in 2019 after serving as the deputy district director for the Portland office of the U.S. Small Business Administration where she was recognized for her outstanding performance. She has served on the advisory board for the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs and the Women’s Business Center at Mercy Corps Northwest. Her previous work in multiple business and trade fields included four years as an international trade specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Baker earned a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and modern languages from Pacific University and a Master of Arts in international policy, trade and development from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2019. |
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Karin Edwards |
Karin Edwards’ 36-year career at community colleges spans roles from admissions counselor to campus president. She currently serves as president for Clark College. Previously, she served as president of Portland Community College’s Cascade Campus. Her community service includes serving on the board of directors of Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives and on the advisory board of the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, as well as being an active member of the Partners in Diversity Leadership Council and the Oregon Presidents Council of the Oregon Community College Association. Edwards earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in higher education administration at State University of New York at Albany, and her doctorate degree in educational leadership at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2020. |
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Lindsay Fisher Advisory Council Chair |
Lindsay Fisher is vice president of Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver. She is a member of the 2015 class of Leadership Clark County and received the Vancouver Business Journal’s Accomplished and Under 40 honor that same year. Fisher has received the Paul Harris award from the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County. She serves on the board of the Association of Washington Business and the Trauma Intervention Program Advisory Council. Fisher earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and hospitality business management from WSU. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2015. Advisory Council Chair in 2018. |
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Eric Holmes |
Eric Holmes is the city manager of the City of Vancouver. He has worked at all levels of government, including 20 years in public administration. He is an executive board member of the Columbia River Economic Development Council and member of the Association of Washington Cities Legislative Committee. Holmes earned a bachelor’s degree in planning, public policy and management from the University of Oregon and a master’s degree in public administration from Lewis & Clark College. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2008. |
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Steve Horenstein |
Steve Horenstein is founder and managing member of Horenstein Law Group. Since 1995, he has been a committed supporter of WSU Vancouver, and his tremendous dedication was recognized in 2018 with the Chancellor’s Award for Service. He serves on the executive committee of the Historic Trust and chairs the Public Affairs Committee and Investor Relations Committee of CREDC. Horenstein is a graduate of the Lewis & Clark Law School. Appointed to Advisory Council in 1995. Advisory Council Chair in 2004 – 2018. |
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Kristin Lesseig Associate Professor in the College of Education |
Kristin Lesseig teaches undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in mathematics content, pedagogy and STEM education. Her research focuses on teacher learning and ways to promote mathematical reasoning in secondary classrooms. Lesseig earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Truman State University and taught middle and high school mathematics in Del Norte, Colo. for 15 years before earning a doctorate in mathematics education at Oregon State University and beginning a career at WSU Vancouver. |
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Mark Mantei |
Mark Mantei, chief executive officer of The Vancouver Clinic has more than 30 years of public health service experience. He serves on the board of directors of the American Medical Group Association (AMGA), which includes more than 400 medical groups nationwide whose physicians care for one in three Americans. Mantei earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration management and a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting and finance from the University of Michigan. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2019. |
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Julianna Marler |
Julianna Marler, CEO of the Port of Vancouver USA, is the first female CEO in the port’s 105-year history and one of just a handful of female port CEOs in the United States. Previously, she served as the port’s chief financial officer. Before joining the port, she worked as procurement services manager for the City of Vancouver for nine years. Marler received the 2018 Women of Achievement Iris Award from Clark College and serves on the boards of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and Greater Portland Inc. Marler earned a degree in business administration from WSU. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2016. |
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Tim Merlino |
Tim Merlino became the superintendent and chief executive officer of Educational Service District 112 after serving as chief financial officer for 28 years. Since his appointment, ESD 112 has evolved into a $70 million-plus enterprise, with significant growth in early learning, school construction, STEM initiatives and innovative student support programs. Merlino serves on the board of the state’s THRIVE Washington, is vice chair of the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative, and co-chairs the Southwest Washington STEM Network. He is a WSU graduate. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2014. |
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Julie Olson |
In addition to more than 30 years in private industry specializing in scientific sales and management, Julie Olson has served 15 years in public service; seven years on the Clark County Council and eight years on the Ridgefield School Board. She is also president of the Northwest Wine & Food Society, which is dedicated to raising funds for scholarships, grants and educational opportunities for students in culinary arts, viticulture and fermentation sciences. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2019. |
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Lisa Keohokalole Schauer Board of Regents, WSU |
Lisa Keohokalole Schauer, is president of PointNorth Consulting. She is passionate about inspiring leaders and empowering teams to achieve their business goals. A tireless community advocate, she serves as board chair for The Children’s Center and is co-founder and board chair of the H-RoC nonpartisan political action committee. Her numerous awards and recognitions include the Iris Award from Clark College and the Women of Influence Award from Portland Business Journal. Schauer earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership and learning from George Washington University, and bachelor’s degrees in public relations and political science from Gonzaga University. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2016. |
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Jeff Snell |
Jeff Snell, superintendent of the Vancouver Public Schools, has more than 20 years of experience in education as a coach, math teacher, associate principal, principal, and deputy superintendent. He has been involved in leadership at the state, regional, and national level related to evaluation, professional growth, and technology. Snell received his bachelor of science in mathematics education from Boston University and his master of arts in educational leadership, and doctor of education from Washington State University. Appointed to Advisory Council as ex-officio in 2019. |
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Jasmine Tolbert Vice President, People and Culture, YWCA Clark County |
Jasmine Tolbert is a lifelong Clark County resident and proud VanCoug! She graduated from WSU Vancouver in 2017 with a B.A. in social sciences. She serves as HR director for YWCA Clark County and is a champion for racial equity in the community through her role as NAACP Vancouver president. Tolbert also serves on WSU Vancouver’s Equity Diversity Advisory Board. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2021. |
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Mei Wu Oregon Venture Fund Ambassador |
Mei Wu, co-founder and vice president of corporate development at Speak Technologies, is a seasoned executive in the software industry. She is an advisor to start-ups and entrepreneurial ecosystems, an ambassador for the Oregon Venture Fund, and an advocate for partnerships between businesses and higher education in Southwest Washington. She serves on the board of the Columbia River Economic Development Council and volunteers for the Business Growth Mentor and Analysis Program (MAP) for the Carson College of Business at WSU Vancouver. Wu earned an MBA from WSU. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2016. |
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Sharon Wylie |
Sharon Wylie is the 49th District legislative representative for the Washington State Legislature, a position she has held for four terms. Her successes for Clark County included obtaining funding for the Clark County Center for Community Health, the new crime lab, and the Salmon Creek Interchange. She has served as president of the Council for the Homeless, and as board member of Affordable Community Environments. Sharon earned a BA in political science from UC Riverside. Appointed to Advisory Council as ex-officio in 2014. |