Board of Directors & Staff

Jill Pennings, President
Jill is a Special Education Teacher in Wayzata Public Schools. She is married to Mr. Pennings, the 9th grade social studies teacher. Jill and her husband Ben reside in Corcoran and are parents to a 11th grader and 8th grader. REF Board Member since 2014.

Kevin Sjodin, Vice President
Kevin is an Azure Administrator at LTCG. Kevin and his wife Farrah reside in Rockford and are parents to daughters in 5th grade and 1st grade and a son in pre-K.  Kevin has been a member of the board since August 2021.

Laura Franklin, Treasurer
Laura is a Credit Analyst/Vice President of Bankwest in Rockford.  Laura and her husband Bryan reside in Rockford Township and are parents to a 9th grader and 8th grader. REF Board Member since August 2017.

Kelly Kinnan, Secretary
Kelly is a Doctor at the Pipe Trades Clinic in Maple Grove and a Rockford Alum. Her and her husband Mike Live in Rogers and open enroll their two children, who are in 8th and 5th grades.  REF Board Member since August 2018.

Kelly Grimm, Executive Director
Kelly is a graphic designer/art director and part time staff for the Rockford Education Foundation. Kelly and her husband Peter reside in Rockford and are parents to a son in 12th grade and daughter in 11th grade. Kelly was a board member from 2011-2014 and has been the Executive Director since 2015.

Nikki Arvold
Coming soon! REF Board Member since August 2022.

Laurie Cancino
Laurie is a Project Planning Specialist for Great Clips HQ.  Laurie and her husband Robert reside in Rockford and are parents to a 8th grader and 4rd grader. REF Board Member since January 2022.

Aaron Hunter
Aaron is the General Manager of FlyOver America at Mall of America. Aaron and his wife Shannon live in Rockford with their 3 sons; 3rd grade, Kindergarten and a three year old. REF board member since July 2021.

Carey Kelvie
Carey is a licensed cosmetologist and works for Scruples Professional Salon Products as a Technical Assistance Adviser and a Salon Manager at Cherrywood Pointe of Plymouth. Carey and her husband Nick live in Greenfield. They have 2 children – an 11th grader and 8th grader. REF Board Member since August 2017.

Jessica Lappe
Jessica is a Talent Acquisition Leader at CHS.  Jessica and her husband Dalin reside in Rockford, MN and have 3 school-aged children who are in 12th, 9th and 2nd grades. REF Board Member since 2021.

Melonie Robran
Melonie is a dance instructor for Rockford Community Ed and helps her family run Hill’s Gardens in Albert Lea.  She also volunteers as a Rockford track coach. Melonie and her husband Chad reside in Greenfield and are parents to a recent Rockford graduate (Class of 2022) and an 8th grader. Melonie has served on the board since 2011.

Robyn Schuman
Robyn is a Data and Business Consultant at Cargill.  Robyn and her husband Joel reside in Greenfield and are parents to a recent Rockford graduate (Class of 2022) and a 10th grader. She has been on the Foundation Board since 2012, and served as treasurer for 4 years.

Art Wachholz
Art is a High School IB History Teacher at Osseo Public School District. Art and his wife Angie live in Rockford and have daughters in 9th and 5rd grades.  REF Board Member since August 2019.

Susie Wagner
Susie is a yoga and strength instructor at Live True Yoga in Plymouth and Buffalo. Susie and her husband, Jeremy, live in Greenfield and are parents of 3 children. Their oldest son, an AirForce Staff Sergeant, an 9th grade daughter at RMS, and a 3nd grade son at REAMS. Susie has been a member of the board since August 2021.