Board of Trustees
Our Mission
The WASC Donald C. Larsen Foundation is committed to supporting and enhancing leadership opportunities for students by attracting charitable gifts from alumni, community members, corporations, foundations, and other friends of the WASC.
Our History
The WASC Governing Board established the WASC Foundation in 1997, when Neenah High School Student council donated $707 to the WASC. They stipulated that the money be used to establish a foundation, with interest from the fund used to achieve two goals. The first goal is to give more leadership opportunities to students and schools within the WASC. The second goal is to expand our leadership programs to reach those who are not presently being served by the WASC. In August of 2000, the WASC Foundation was renamed the WASC Donald C. Larsen Foundation in Don’s honor. Don retired as WASC Executive Director after 27 years of service to the Association.
Tania Bonnett
Tania’s involvement in the WASC was the most influential and formative experience of her school years. Through its leadership programs she learned that each of us has the power to positively impact the world by pursuing acceptance, fairness and justice. Tania pursues these goals daily in her work as an Assistant District Attorney in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She continues to champion the values taught to her by the WASC. She looks forward to some day seeing her son reap the extraordinary gifts of the WASC as well.
Derek Kosiorek
Derek is a great example of the kind of leader and person produced by the WASC programs. His involvement stretches back to the 1980s, when he attended leadership camp and realized that involvement made him a better student and a better person. His involvement gave him the confidence to pursue leadership positions in college at UW-Madison and thereafter. Derek currently works as a medical technology consultant, assisting medical practices in their transition from paper medical records to electronic ones. He can truly say that his life would not be the same without WASC. It was at leadership camp where he met is wife, Sara. Derek and Sara agree that their son Payton is the greatest thing ever produced by the organization.
Sue Masterson
Sue’s 33 year career as a teacher and principal led to her involvement with the WASC. She encouraged her student council officers to attend WASC leadership camps. Sue also encouraged other principals to partner with the WASC and offer leadership development to their students. She was selected as WASC’s School Administrator of the year during her career. As a leader, Sue has been President of the Wisconsin Principals Association and has served as President of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. As a retired administrator, Sue works as a consultant to mentor and advise current principals as they lead their schools. She encourages administrators to invest in leadership development of their students through the WASC. Sue serves on the Board of Trustees as a representative of the family of Don Larsen.
Jason Rae
Jason believes that had it not been for the programs of the WASC and his involvement with the organization, he would not be the person he is today. Through attending leadership camps, getting involved with boards and committees, and other activities of the organization, Jason learned that anything is possible and that one should never doubt what can be accomplished. Jason currently works in Milwaukee at a public strategies consulting firm, working with corporate, non-profit and political clients on message development, strategic management, and government relations. He is active in his community and on numerous state and national boards and committees, all of which he credits back to learning about leadership through the WASC.
Terry Ragus
Terry first became involved in student council shortly after beginning his career as a guidance counselor in Sun Prairie, WI. He has served on the WASC Governing Board for 25 years and was the Junior and Middle School (JAM) representative for Region V (The Capital Region) for the same period. His love for the WASC is the result the effects he’s seen first-hand with young people after they become involved. He truly believes that WASC involvement changes lives forever and wants all young people to share the experience.
Julie Quinlan Brame
Her first day at WASC Leadership Camp was a turning point in Julie’s life. That week, along with seven more years on staff at both state and national camps, helped her to better understand her personal strengths and weaknesses and grow as a servant leader. Julie is proud to continue working to build a new generation of leaders through her work as Vice President for College Advancement at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Like WASC, Alverno believes that the world is better when each of us have the courage and support to do and be our best.
