Meet Our Board
Our board of trustees is dedicated to lending their skills, insights and passions to serve disability services and advocate for those with special needs, their families and the staff who support them.
Ruth Neuger
Board President
Ruth has served on the board since 2013. She is a print consultant at Engage Print in Northfield. Ruth and her husband, Dave, have three children, two daughters-in-law and one grandchild and are active volunteers in the community. Ruth looks forward to influencing community members to participate with LBSA.
Jim Loe
Vice President
Jim joined the board in 2020. He and his wife, Deb, have three children and are active in the community. Jim is the President/CEO of Community Resource Bank and is honored to support the LBSA vision.
Caroline Yaun
Secretary
Caroline joined the board in 2019. She lives in Northfield and is a clinical consultant with UnitedHealthcare. Caroline enjoys serving and advocating for people with developmental disabilities in both her professional and personal work. She and her partner, Adam, have a blended family with three adult children and a very lucky mini golden doodle.
Meleah Follen
Treasurer
Meleah joined the board in 2021. She is currently the Youth Engagement Director at Healthy Community Initiative. Meleah has a long history of service to the community participating on numerous boards and assisting nonprofit organizations in a variety of ways.
Cheryl Buck
Board Member
Cheryl is the director of sponsor relations for PRMIA. She joined the board in 2004 and recently completed a four-year term as president of the board. Cheryl and her husband, Dave, have two children. Cheryl volunteers throughout the Northfield community.
Matt Karl
Board Member
Matt joined the board in 2023 and is a resident of Northfield and the proud father of a daughter who attends Northfield High School. He recently retired from a long career in commercial real estate. Matt participates in a variety of volunteer opportunities at LBSA and truly enjoys his engagement with our clients.
Kenna Schulz
Board Member
Kenna joined the board in 2021. She is currently CFO at Schulz Electric. Kenna, along with her husband, and 3 children have volunteered in different roles at LBSA. She believes every human deserves to live their best life possible and sees this in everyday interactions with LBSA clients both on and off campus.
Steve Underdahl
Board Member
Steve is president and CEO of Northfield Hospital & Clinics. He joined the board in 2014, shortly after he and his wife, Lori, moved to the Northfield community. Steve has a family member with developmental disabilities, which drives his passion for advocacy.
Jonathan Davis
Board Member
Jonathan Davis joined the board in 2023. He is the Associate Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield, MN. He is a dad to his two boys and the husband of Rev. Lauren Baske Davis, Associate Minister at First United Church of Christ.
Carrie Duba
Board Member
Carrie joined the board in 2019. She and her husband, John, have three young adult children. Carrie is a school psychologist at Northfield High School, where she supports students in finding success. She is thrilled to be a member of the LBSA board where she can support the amazing work the organization does in the greater community.
Bob Gilbertson
Board Member
Bob is a Minneapolis attorney who joined the board in 2012. He and his wife, Cynthia, are happy to be involved with LBSA, which they consider a respected and admired part of the community. Bob is especially interested in public policy.
Jill Metz
Board Member
Jill joined the board in 2023 and is what Northfielders call a “Townie”. She has served on the LBSA Gala committee for over a decade. Jill enjoys working from home as a Customer Success Manager for SmartSense by Digi. She spends most of her time outside of work and volunteering chauffeuring her two kids to all of their sport activities.
Phil Strom
Board Member
Phil joined the board in 2022. He is a United Methodist minister. He and his wife, Alice (Early Childhood Special Education Teacher), have retired “back” to Northfield. One of the five “kids” in their blended family, Emily, is an LBSA client. Phil is committed to helping broaden generous support of the Laura Baker Services Association mission.
Gretchen Ehresmann
Board Member
Gretchen joined the board in 2022. She is a retired family physician who worked in Northfield for many years. She and her husband John raised their sons here. They now have a granddaughter with Prader-Willi Syndrome and are very aware of the needs and challenges of people with disabilities.
Shreya Ashok
Student Board Member
Shreya is LBSA’s student board member for 2023 – 2024. She is a senior at St. Olaf College and plays on their softball team. She works at Lincoln House and enjoys being part of Special Olympics events. Shreya plans to pursue a career in nursing.