Why We're Here
We are the parents of North Lake students. Driven to enrich our children's experiences in the community and enhancing their learning environments.
Holly Hawkins - President
Holly Hawkins is the President of Wisconsin Operations for Kelly Construction & Design. She oversees the regional expansion of the company’s portfolio and operations, building on the 17+ years of projects Kelly Construction has completed in the Milwaukee Market. Holly brings over two decades of experience in construction with projects ranging up to $200 million. She is a Member at Large for the Board of Directors and Chairs the Construction Executive Council for the Waukesha County Business Alliance and has a strong passion for advocating and raising the perception of construction career pathway opportunities to our youth. She was also instrumental in bringing Kids Building Wisconsin to Waukesha County. Outside of work Holly spends many hours at Basketball and Softball Games along with leading a fundraiser at her children’s school for STEAM initiatives and spaces.
Greg Cornell - Vice President
Greg is the President of Brown Bear Technologies - an engineering firm focused on aerospace & defense, connectivity, and IoT. A mechanical engineer by education, he has experience at the engineering, management, and executive levels of business. Greg's nonprofit experience began with a charity he co-founded in college focused on technology and education. He is the husband of a North Lake School alumna and the father of future NLS alumni. Outside of work, you'll often find Greg kayaking with his wife, running with his dog, or building robots with his kids in their home makerspace.
Adriane Feltz - Treasurer
Adriane is a proud parent of one NLS student and one NLS alumni. Early in her career, she worked as a corporate tax accountant in the insurance industry with a transition into the retail industry. Her most current role has brought her out of the tax world and into a general accounting function where she works part time, helping maintain a good work/life balance. Adriane believes being a part of NLEF is a great way for her to give back, not only in the current year, but also support the school for many years to come. In her free time, she enjoys getting outdoors and getting fresh air - hiking or biking or just taking a DIY project (that she probably found on Pinterest) outside to complete.
Betsy Kujath - Secretary
Betsy is an NLS parent with three children attending the school. She has been part of the NLS STEAM Program initiative since 2019 and enjoys working on projects that improve the school, foster a stronger sense of community, and support the fantastic NLS staff. Betsy is also on the board for Lake Country Kindergarten. Her previous professional background is in corporate security, business continuity planning, and teaching dance classes. She is currently a full time mom and a part time office manager at a dance studio. In her free time, Betsy enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, traveling, and exploring the Ice Age Trail.
Martin Hughes - Director
Martin was an assistant professor at University of Illinois before coming back to Wisconsin. In 1997, he opened a family financial services company - The McHenry Group - in Hartland (now in Oconomowoc) which specializes in working with younger and middle class families. Today, Martin is on the board of the Arrowhead Scholarship Fund and NLEF. Previously he served as the President of the Waukesha Civic Theatre, Vice President of Wisconsin Upside Down, and served on the board of our local association of insurance and financial advisors. Martin’s son attends NLS through Open Enrollment. Outside of work, Martin has been a competitive sporting clays shooter for decades. He also coached Special Olympics for about fifteen years, and was honored to be "Coach of the Year" for the YMCA at Pabst Farms. Today he enjoys photography. He is also the stage manager at the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield.
Liz Tolbot - Director
Bio coming soon!
Jessica Ruehlow - Director
Jessica is a proud parent of two boys attending North Lake School. She enjoys being a member of the Community Fellowship Committee and volunteering for school functions. She is dedicated to working on projects to help improve the school, like the STEAM Fairs, and supporting the staff during staff appreciation week. She was taught many things when she previously worked as a Registered Nurse on a trauma floor which has also come in handy being a mom. In he free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and being out on the lake with her family.
Liesl Ackley - Superintendent of Schools
I am proud to serve as the superintendent and principal of North Lake School. I call North Lake School "my home away from home" and continue to build relationships with our families. I am thrilled that our great K-8 has its very own education foundation to support the students and staff for many years to come. I currently serve as the scholarship chairperson for Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish and am actively involved in our North Lake School Community. Outside of school, I like to spend time with families in the outdoors: swimming, sailing, and downhill skiing.