Board of Directors & Staff

Barb Ladd has been a member of our community for several years. She retired from her social work practice of 10 years in 2020. She graduated from Columbia College and has a Master's in Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago.

She fell in love with the Northwoods over 20 years ago when she and her husband Jeff would come up snowmobiling every year. She is involved with LOL through her church, the gym, and community garden. Barb and her husband recently retired and are enjoying full-time life in the Northwoods: They like to motorcycle, ride bikes, UTV, ski, snowmobile, and mostly just enjoy time spent together.

She supports many of the local charities and feels that LOLA is an important organization for the health of Land O' Lakes. She believes that "when people have a means to express themselves through creative media, they have a more positive outlook on life." Barb hopes to be a positive influence in helping to foster LOLA's future success.

Denise first fell in love with the Land O'Lakes area during her inaugural visit to Black Oak Lake in 1974. After raising her family in Geneva, Illinois, she embraced the opportunity in 2016 to return north and serve the Watersmeet/Land O'Lakes community as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the ISCCW. Following her retirement from that role, she continued her commitment by volunteering as the organization's President for three years.

She holds an associate degree in Dental Hygiene as well as an Associate of Applied Science in Horticulture, specializing in sustainable landscaping—fields in which she has worked throughout her career.

A dedicated community volunteer, Denise has contributed her time and leadership to numerous boards and committees, including the Land O'Lakes Community Garden, CCROA Board, SISU Ski Fest in Ironwood, The Musky Expo, and the "Before I Die" Project. She is currently leading the newly established Watersmeet Beautification Committee.

Denise believes strongly that giving our time is the most meaningful way to create lasting change and growth. She feels that LOLA enriches the region immeasurably by fostering creativity, connection, and a sense of belonging within the broader arts community.

Diane recently retired from BAE Systems in Phoenix, Arizona where she was a pricing manager for 36 years. She has a bachelor of science degree in Accounting and a master's degree in Business Administration. Diane has vacationed on Black Oak Lake since the 1970's, and became a full-time resident there joining her husband Bill and his blue heeler Shadow in the Fall of 2021. She is the mother of two adult sons, John and Sam.

Diane has enjoyed craft projects since she was young and likes to learn new skills. She also likes dinner parties with friends, games, walking, kayaking, boating, snowmobiling, and has recently taken up snowshoeing. Diane doesn't profess to have any real art talent but is in awe of those who do.

She is impressed with the positive impact and the opportunities for friendly social interaction that LOLA has given the local community, and is excited to be a part of this amazing organization and its future endeavors.

Erin S. Luoto is the Head of Operations at Luoto's Fitness. She is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Nutrition Specialist and Class Instructor. Along with working in the realm of fitness, Erin has explored the creative world recreationally and professionally.

Previously, Erin was Executive Chef at Paul's Superior View in Silver City Michigan. She has also played guitar, drums, melodeon, and mouth harp in the Traditional Irish band; The Saucy Rovers, reggae in Moonbeard, and folk in her original band; Nonesuch, out of Ontonagon. Currently, Erin produces ASMR (Autonomous sensory meridian response) content for YouTube.

Erin went to school at Northern Michigan University studying Art and Design with a concentration in Illustration.

Erin is an advocate for movement and art in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin. An avid cyclist, trail runner, and weight lifter, Erin believes in the clarity and creativity movement offers our minds.

Land O' Lakes Arts (LOLA) is excited to announce the hiring of our new Program Director, Heather Grimes. With a strong background in the arts, music, theater, and community programming, Heather brings a passion for creativity, community engagement, and the transformative power of the arts. In this role, Heather will be responsible for developing and overseeing LOLA's diverse range of classes, workshops, and events, while working closely with artists, instructors, and the community to continue LOLA's mission of enriching lives through the arts.

Heather was most recently the Special Events Coordinator for the Bonifas Arts Center in Escanaba, MI, where she gained experience in events management, arts administration, and community outreach. Heather has had a lifelong passion for the stage – she has been in over 50 productions. Besides acting, singing, and dancing, Heather has in-depth knowledge in all things theater – from hair and makeup to sound design and light board operation. Heather has led teams as both a backstage manager and a production stage manager, and she directed her first show in 2007.

Heather spends her free time enjoying the outdoors fishing and playing disc golf. She also loves singing in a band with her father.

Contact: heather.lolaarts@gmail.com

Ivy graduated from Northern Michigan University with a BA of Science in Education. She taught in the Upper Peninsula before moving to Land O' Lakes where she teaches in a multi-age classroom.

Ivy is a watercolor artist and a member of the Artistree gallery. She is inspired by the outdoors so many of her paintings feature wildlife or nature. She is an avid hunter and fisherman, spending much of her time in the woods with her labrador retrievers. She also enjoys gardening, cross country skiing, and keeping bees.

Ivy's passion for art and community involvement was greatly influenced by her grandmother. She was a dedicated member of the Headwaters Art League and an early contributor to the Artistree Gallery.

Ivy is excited to serve as a board member for LOLA and help promote art in the community.

Having grown up vacationing every year with her family in the Northwoods, Jan is now living her dream – retired and settled full-time in Land O' Lakes with her husband. Since making this beloved vacation spot her permanent home, she's discovered a community even more vibrant and welcoming than she ever imagined – and LOLA has been a big part of that. As a Board member, Jan is proud to support LOLA's mission of expanding access to the arts in the community she now gratefully calls home.

Jan grew up in the Quad-Cities and moved in the 80's to the Chicagoland area for a new job opportunity in construction. Over four decades, she rose through leadership positions, eventually becoming Vice President at STV, a national engineering firm, and led the company's Midwest construction and program management initiatives. Known for her supportive leadership and inclusive values, she mentored colleagues and empowered smaller firms through collaboration and partnership pursuits.

A graduate of Western Illinois, Jan also is a Certified Construction Manager and LEED Accredited Professional. She was active in various professional organizations including serving as local chapter president. She also served on the National Boards of the Construction Management Association of America and One Hope United, a nonprofit, providing child and family services.

Jan embraces retirement as a chance not only to enjoy a new pace of life but also to give back. She also currently serves on the Public Art Committee of Land O Lakes, the Northwoods Girls Golf, and the Christmas Belle Education Award committee that provides support to eligible students pursuing post-secondary education. Jan hopes to bring her experience, commitment and dedication to help LOLA continue to be a cornerstone of the community – sparking creativity, fostering connection and enriching lives.

Kathi is a retired special education teacher from Central Wisconsin. She lives in Land O' Lakes fulltime. Kathi and her husband stay busy volunteering for LOLA, the VFW, and church. She also enjoys crafting.

Kay Schroeder has been part of the Land O' Lakes community since 2016, when she and her husband purchased land and built a cottage here. In 2022 they moved to their property full-time, embracing everything the Northwoods has to offer. Their love for Vilas County began more than 20 years ago after a spontaneous Labor Day weekend trip to a small cottage in St. Germain with their two young children and two golden retrievers.

Kay brings over 30 years of experience in human service–related fields. In 2006, she and her husband founded a corporate guardianship agency, which they have grown over the past two decades to serve nearly 600 people throughout Wisconsin with the support of an exceptional team of 25 professionals.

Since making Land O' Lakes their full-time home, Kay has become an active community member, joining the Christmas Belles, the Christmas Belles Education Award Committee, and the Community Garden. She is enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve on the LOLA Board and contribute to the inspiring work being done to nurture the arts in the area. She feels a deep connection to the creativity and spiritual expression of local artists and is grateful for the chance to support and be part of that effort.

Mariya is originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and moved to the north woods with her family in 2016 – first in Eagle River and then finding their forever place in Land o Lakes in 2020.

Over the years Mariya has participated in the arts in various ways – from singing and theatre in school to teaching after school art classes in college. Her current passion is photography- particularly sports photography and you will see her with camera in hand at many local sporting events photographing her kids and the other athletes.

Mariya works in Healthcare IT and is usually the friendly face at her husbands mortgage office in town. She loves what LOLA does to bring art to everyone in the community and is happy to be a part of it!