Executive Director
Laurie Wanta is a retired German, English and Mandarin teacher with a passion for culture and languages. She came to the ED position by being a team leader on a refugee resettlement team in 2021 and then responding to God’s call to serve Newcomers in more ways in the West Bend Community. She spearheaded the steering committee that formed The Welcome Network in 2023. She has recently taught ESL at Casa Guadalupe and continues to serve on the Family Selection Committee of Habitat of Washington and Dodge Counties.
Board President
Jen Enters is a corporate trainer with extensive experience with language and culture. She spent 13 years as a missionary helping to plant a church among the Tanda people of Guinea, West Africa. During that time she spent a brief stint as a language and culture acquisition consultant, as well. Upon returning to the United States, Jen taught English as a Second Language to hundreds of students from all over the world for 12 years. She volunteered with Casa Guadalupe as an ESL teacher’s aide/teacher for two years. Having lived overseas for many years, Jen knows what it is like to be a stranger in a strange land and has a keen passion for helping newcomers find welcome, help and belonging. She was a member of the steering committee that formed The Welcome Network and has served as the Board President since its inception. She co-developed and teaches the cultural literacy course all Welcome Network volunteers are required to complete.
Board Vice President
Brian Leeson is the retired CEO of Omron Delta Tau. He is also a former board member and board president of Slinger Board of Education. He served as Lieutenant Colonel and Army helicoptor pilot. He currently serves as a small group leader and REACH Local liaison at Kettlebrook Church in West Bend, WI.
Board Bookkeeper
Sandi Rivera is currently employed as bookkeeper for Habitat of Humanity of Washington and Dodge County. She brings her skills with numbers as well as a passion for the outsider to our board. She is on the board for the Youth and Family Project in West Bend, WI.
The Welcome Network 