Our Staff

The World Affairs Seminar Staff

Laurie Marks

Chief of Staff – lmarks@WorldAffairsSeminar.org

Dr. Laurie Marks has built a career engaging young people in experiential learning aimed at building community leaders and a strong future workforce through career exploration and development. She currently works full-time at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as the Executive Director of the Center for Student Experience and Talent where she oversees community engagement, career services, internships, and on-campus student employment. Dr. Marks also teaches in the Educational Policy and Community Studies Department at UWM, as well as in Peace Studies at Marquette University.

Jake Oster

Program Director – joster@WorldAffairsSeminar.org

Jake Oster first attended World Affairs Seminar as a high school delegate, and has since found passion in supporting youth through education. Jake joins the WAS staff with experience in science education, hospitality and event curation, youth program development, and skills in web development and photography. He has held several different roles with World Affairs Seminar, including as staff counselor, and Web Developer. In his current role, he helps develop the academic and social activities during the seminar. Jake earned his Bachelors from Northland College.
Kathy Miller

Kathy Miller

Registrar – kmiller@WorldAffairsSeminar.org

Kathy Miller retired from a career in fundraising and recruitment and sales, and now she works at the World Affairs Seminar to support youth striving to reach their full potential. As the Registrar, Kathy’s duties include registering delegates, tracking sponsorships, coordinating transportation, and handling compliance and many of the logistics for the seminar.

Kelsey Murzyn

Kelsey Murzyn

Kelsey Murzyn first became involved with World Affairs Seminar as a counselor & presenter in 2016, when she was invited to speak about her experiences helping rural communities in Honduras gain consistent access to clean water. Having lived in both the Czech Republic and France, she brings global curiosity and a passion for helping young people become thoughtful, engaged members of their communities. Kelsey currently works as a Configuration Analyst, with previous experience as a digital product designer in the ecommerce and video game industries. She holds a Masters in Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Board of Directors

Officers

Board Chair

Linda Farkas

Vice Chair

Steve Hook

Secretary

Phil Stollenwerk

Treasurer

Steve Chevalier

Past Chair

Jeff Reed, PhD

Directors

  • Steve Affeldt
  • Tamie Koop
  • Bill Coleman
  • Nancy Rhodes
  • Rob Bassett
  • Joy Ngobi
  • Matt Nink
  • Bethany Rentsch
  • Keith Porter
  • LouLou Durant

Non-Voting Ex Officio Members

Dawn Fiedler, Rotary District 6270 Liaison

Emeritus

James Dorman, CPA