RIPON EDUCATION FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors
Lyn McCarthy
Lyn McCarthy, a proud 1979 Ripon High School graduate, attended Ceresco, Central Elementary, and Ripon Middle and High Schools. After also attending Ripon College, Lyn spent much of her career in the Office of Admission at Ripon College. In 2022, she and her husband, Tim, a retired middle school band director, moved back to Ripon. Lyn is dedicated to strengthening the community by supporting students, teachers, and staff through the work of the Ripon Education Foundation. She is active in the South Woods Association, Ripon Library Association, volunteers for Ripon College, and sings with the Ripon College Choral Union.
Margaret (Betsy) Heffernan
Margaret (Betsy) Heffernan is a 1986 Ripon High School graduate and a current member of the Ripon Area Board of Education. She has over 30 years of experience in journalism, communications, and public relations, and she serves as the Communications and Corporate Giving Manager for Alliance Laundry Systems. Betsy’s family has a long history with Ripon schools, starting with her great-great-grandfather in the 1860s. In addition to her role with the Ripon Education Foundation, she serves as Vice President of the Ripon Community Hospital Community Council, Treasurer of the Ripon Library Association, and is a member of the Ripon Rotary and Ripon College Choral Union.
Jena Nolan
Jena Nolan is a Ripon College alumna (Class of 2006), former teacher and elementary principal, and a recent addition to the Ripon College Advancement Office. With 18 years of experience in public education, Jena brings a deep commitment to supporting students and strengthening school communities. After a year traveling the country with her family, she returned to Ripon—drawn by its strong schools and the opportunity to raise her three daughters in a community she loves.
Sue O’Brien
Sue O’Brien worked at Ripon High School for over 23 years, serving as support staff, a substitute teacher, and a team member of REACH, the district’s first charter school. She concluded her career as the administrative assistant in the high school office, retiring in 2023. Sue’s passion for education and desire to make a lasting impact on the community led her to join the Ripon Education Foundation, where she continues to support students, teachers, and staff.
Cindy Cody
Cindy Cody grew up in California, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Davis, and brings over 25 years of B-to-B and consumer marketing experience to her role on the Ripon Education Foundation board. Cindy has since followed her passion for sewing, working part-time at Bungalow Quilting in Ripon in addition to providing formal dress alterations. She joined the Foundation to help support the meaningful educational programs that enrich students’ lives.
Sarah Heyn
Sarah Heyn is a clinical social worker who provides individual mental health therapy to adults. She earned her undergraduate degree from Ripon College in 1999 and her graduate degree from UW-Madison in 2002. Sarah and her family moved into the Ripon Area School District in 2017, giving her the perspective of a parent who has seen firsthand the opportunities REF helps make possible for students. She joined the Ripon Education Foundation board in 2026 to support an organization that has directly benefited her children. Sarah is also an active parent volunteer with the Ripon High School band and coaches a competitive STEM-based team for students in grades 4-8.
Deb Hilscher
Deb Hilscher is a proud Ripon High School alumna from the class of 1980, as well as a parent, grandparent, and substitute teacher in the Ripon Area School District. Recently retired after a 39-year career as a middle school science teacher in Oshkosh, Deb has witnessed firsthand the power of educational grants to enhance student learning through her experience with the Oshkosh Foundation. In addition to her professional background, Deb’s family has deep ties to Ripon, with her father, husband, daughter, and herself all being Ripon alumni, and her grandson soon to follow as a future Ripon graduate.
Denise Martinez
Denise Martinez is a Ripon High School alumna, former Ripon Area School District employee, and the parent and grandparent of Ripon students. A lifelong educator and learner, Denise holds a BA in Psychology from UW-Platteville, an MSE in Counseling from UW-Oshkosh, and is an ABD doctoral candidate in Education at Edgewood College. Her career spans counseling, faculty leadership, and student services, including roles at Ripon College, SSM, Moraine Park Technical College, and Fox Valley Technical College. She joined the Ripon Education Foundation board in spring 2025 to help support the resources that foster learning and growth for students. Denise is also a current RASD Board member and has previously served on the RASD Board (2008–2011), the United Way board, and the Ripon Medical Center Foundation board. She and her husband fund the Denise and Curtis Martinez Scholarship at FVTC for eligible RASD students, and she has volunteered for local youth sports. Denise remains active at Ripon College as a member of the Willmore Center.
Jean Rigden
Jean Rigden is the Director of Teacher Education at Ripon College and has spent 33 years as an educator, serving as a teacher, principal, and now as an instructor at Ripon College. With a deep commitment to education, Jean brings her passion for supporting teachers and fostering learning in the Ripon community to her role on the Ripon Education Foundation board. She is also a proud parent, with two daughters who graduated from Lumen High School, furthering her personal and professional ties to education.
Ron Rivard
Ron Rivard has served as an educator for 27 years and began his tenure as Superintendent of the Ripon Area School District on July 1, 2025. His career spans a wide range of roles, including teaching middle school math and writing, serving as associate principal at both the middle and high school levels, leading as principal at the elementary and middle levels, and working as a curriculum director. Ron brings a depth of leadership experience and a strong belief in the power of public education to his role on the Ripon Education Foundation board. He is excited to support the ongoing great work of the Foundation and its impact on students, teachers, and the community. Ron also plans to be an active member of Ripon Kiwanis, further deepening his connection to the Ripon community.
Todd Sharp
Todd Sharp, a 1980 Ripon High School graduate, has spent his entire career in marketing and advertising. Joining the Ripon Education Foundation offers him a chance to focus on a new area of impact and be part of the finance team. Todd enjoys staying connected with the community and has a rich history of involvement as Vice President of Green Lake Greenways, a member of Ripon Rotary, and co-founder of the Green Lake 100 bike ride.
Barb Splittgaber
Barb Splittgaber is a 1977 Ripon High School alumna with a deep connection to the Ripon Area School District. She dedicated 36 years to teaching Kindergarten in Ripon and spent an additional four years as a substitute teacher before and after her retirement. Barb’s passion for the district and her desire to support it brought her to serve on the Ripon Education Foundation board. Her family has long-standing ties to the community—her parents owned The Spot Supper Club, a beloved local establishment. Barb is also a proud parent, furthering her strong commitment to Ripon schools.
Kassidy Walters
Kassidy Walters is a 2023 Ripon College graduate with a double major in Exercise Science and Psychology and a minor in Coaching. She currently serves as Resource Development Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area and is an Assistant Coach for the Ripon High School girls basketball team. Kassidy joined the Ripon Education Foundation board in 2026 and brings the perspective of a coach and community member invested in creating opportunities for local youth. While she once thought of Ripon as simply her college hometown, she now considers it her forever hometown and is grateful for the opportunities the community has given her to grow, contribute, and put down roots.
Jeanne F. Williams
Jeanne F. Williams has dedicated over 50 years to education, teaching at every level from preschool to graduate classes. She began her career as a middle school English teacher in Cleveland, OH, and retired from the Educational Studies Department at Ripon College in 2017. Jeanne’s commitment to improving educational opportunities for all children led her to join the Ripon Education Foundation, where she continues to support teachers and students. She has also served on several charter school governance councils within the district.
Connie Wuske
Connie Wuske worked with the Ripon School District for 25 years, helping staff and students at both the High School and Middle School Media Centers locate books and services to enhance their teaching and learning experiences. After retiring, Connie missed the opportunity to support students and educators and joined the Ripon Education Foundation to continue serving the community. A proud grandparent, Connie has also volunteered at local preschools and with her church to help children succeed. Although she moved away at age 10, she and her husband returned to Ripon to raise their daughters in the district they knew was best for their family.