By JAMIE BURDORF
Pictured above: New board members Jenni Hansen and Heather Weiss
The Shenandoah Iowa Education Foundation recently filled two open positions on their board by welcoming Jenni Hansen and Heather Weiss. The board said good-bye to one of the original board members in Star Ann Kloberdanz, who served since 2016, and also Dr. Timothy Smith, who served for the past three years.
With the addition of Hansen and Weiss, it brings the board membership back to 11.
Board president Corby Fichter spoke highly of the service of Kloberdanz and Smith.
“I want to say a huge thanks to the work and dedication that Star Ann and Timothy have given to our Shenandoah Iowa Education Foundation,” Fichter said. “Star Ann was one of our original board members and a huge asset to us and Tim left his mark on the foundation in his time as well.”
The new board members are faces that are familiar to the Shenandoah community.
Hansen is a 1999 Shenandoah graduate. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Dana College in 2003. Hansen is currently the owner at Paper Trail in downtown Shenandoah.
Hansen is married to her husband, Dan, and together they have two children, Ali and Andy, who keep the couple very busy with their various activities.
“I agreed to join the board because I’ve seen all of the great things SIEF has been able to accomplish for the kids to date and look forward to helping with this mission in the future,” said Hansen.
She went on to say, “Education is so important to me because it builds a solid foundation for life! With a great education, strong work ethic and positive attitude, great things can happen.”
Weiss is equally as excited to join the board, “I’ve had the privilege to work with the foundation in the past and have seen first hand the programs and opportunities they provide for the students. I am thrilled to support their mission. Kids are our future. Not only is education crucial for them to develop the knowledge and skills for lifelong success but it also provides experiences & an extensive support system through the most influential and impressionable period of their lives. I believe it is critical for young people to have at least one adult who cares and who they can trust. That is what fueled my passion to enter education over 20 years ago!”
Weiss is a graduate of Cherokee High School. She received her bachelor’s from the University of Northern Iowa and Master’s from the University of Iowa.
Currently, Weiss is a High School Career Coach for Avenue Scholars Southwest Iowa. Her husband, Dan, and children, Charlotte and Dalton, stay active in the Shenandoah community.
Hansen and Weiss join current board members Fichter, Amy Miller, Julie O’Hara, Duane Rexroth, Paula Brownlee, Nick Bosley, Lance Cornelius, Craig Lundren and Amanda Branson.