At Camp Fire, our leadership believes in strong mentorship and modeling behavior that leads to success. Our Board of Directors come from a varied background of education, technology, youth development, financial services, media, and nonprofit organizations. Board Members are elected to serve a term of three years, and Officers are elected to serve a term of two years. Members and Officers may serve up to two consecutive terms. The Board of Directors meets every other month throughout the year.
We also have a number of standing committees on which individuals may serve. You do not have to be a member of the board to serve on a committee! The current committees are: Executive, Finance, Strategic Planning, Alumni, and Board Development.
If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the Camp Fire Board of Directors or on a committee, you can submit a nomination online. Or contact us at 574-387-6095 for more information about serving on the Board or on a Committee.
Mike Chapple joined the Board of Directors for Camp Fire River Bend in December 2019. Mike is the Academic Director of the Master of Science in Business Analytics in the Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame. Mike earned both his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from Notre Dame in computer science & engineering. He also holds a MS in computer science from the University of Idaho and an MBA from Auburn University. Mike, his wife Renee, and their three sons live in Granger, IN.
Melissa (she/hers) joined the Camp Fire River Bend Board in December 2022. She serves as the Employee Belonging and Participation Lead at Leo Burnett Group. She gets her energy from supporting others and co-creating platforms on which they can flourish. She’s a big believer in people and it guides everything she does. She is a white woman unlearning, a mother constantly learning, and flagrantly committed to both. She lives in River Forest, IL with a passionate Camp T camper.
Carrie O'Brien joined the Camp Fire River Bend Board in July of 2022. She currently serves as Senior Vice President- Employment Law for Reyes Holdings, based in Rosemont, Illinois. For the past 22 years, she has been an employment attorney in the Chicago area, starting with the law firms of Winston & Strawn and Drinker Biddle and Reath (formerly Gardner, Carton and Douglas) before moving in-house. She has her B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, and her J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. She resides in Glenview, Illinois with her husband, Chris O'Brien, and their three children, who have been enjoying time during the summer months at Birch Lake since 2020.
Ethan joined the Camp Fire River Bend Board in December of 2024. He is a Director at 119th Street Capital, the private investment arm of First Bancshares Inc. Prior to joining 119th Street Capital, Ethan’s experience included merger & acquisition advisory and restaurant entrepreneurship. Ethan holds a B.S. in Finance from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. Ethan spent many summers at Camp T as a camper and dishwasher.
Bob joined the Board of Directors in December 2020 and serves on the Board Development Committee. His wife Layna and their three children have had a summer home on Birch Lake since 2008. Each of their kids spent many summers at Camp T when they were younger, with great memories for the whole family. Bob had previously been President and COO of The Commodore Corporation before leaving in 2022. He has an engineering degree from the University of Illinois, an MBA from the University of Rochester, and has served on boards related to the housing market.
Maria Carlson is an elementary teacher at Cornerstone Christian Montessori School in Elkhart, Indiana. Maria is an Elkhart native, and holds a degree in English from Kalamazoo College. Her 14-year-old, Ava, has attended Camp T for the past five summers. Maria was a member of the Camp staff in 2020, as a co-kitchen manager. She is active in the community, having served as a member of the Board of Directors for Swanson Community Pool and Irish Aquatics Swim Club. She enjoys reading, music, theater, and spending time with friends and family.
Jamie Green was elected to the Board of Directors in December 2021, and served as treasurer from 2021-2024. Jamie is the Director of Corporate Development for Caterpillar Inc. He holds an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BS in Mathematical Economics from Wake Forest University. He has been a resident of Birch Lake since 2017.
Tara Grove is the Assistant Head of School and Director of Middle School at The Stanley Clark School in South Bend, Indiana. She holds a Masters in Education from The Ohio State University, and earned her Bachelors in Education from Indiana University. Tara and her husband Lee, and their two daughters have a cottage at Birch Lake, and love spending their summers at the lake. Her daughters have attended Camp T for the past three summers, and Tara looks forward to serving on the board of directors to ensure that many more youth have the same wonderful experiences at Camp Fire and Camp T.
Tom Kuhn was elected to the Board of Directors for Camp Fire River Bend in February 2022. Tom has been a member of the Finance Committee since 2014 and previously served on the Board from 2014-2016. He retired as a Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company in Chicago after a 34 year career in investment management. Tom is a graduate of Northwestern University. He and his wife Jan, a former camper at Camp T, live at Birch Lake.
Sarah Mayeda joined the Camp Fire River Bend Board in December 2022. Sarah is the Founder of InStride Advisors, a consultancy that supports leaders and teams as they navigate organizational change, leadership transition, and strategy development in non-profit organizations, government entities, and philanthropy. Sarah earned her bachelor's degree in Public Policy from Northwestern University and an MA in Instructional Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She lives in River Forest, IL with her husband and her two children, both enthusiastic Camp T campers (past and present).
Kara Nickell joined the board in December of 2024. Kara is currently a first grade teacher at Orchard View Elementary in Middlebury, Indiana, and has 18 years of classroom experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Indiana State University. Kara and her husband Zack live full time on Birch Lake. Kara and Zack have three grown children who love to come back and spend time on the water. All three of their children attended summer camps of which they have wonderful memories. Kara looks forward to serving on the board and volunteering at camp.
Marti Strain joined the Board of Directors for Camp Fire in December 2023. Marti is a Nurse who works at Becton Dickinson as a Clinical Solutions Director for National Accounts leading a team of nurses and pharmacists who support the US largest health systems. She is a member of a four generation Camp T family. Her roles at camp include a camper, dishwasher, counselor, and has volunteered every summer for the last several years as the Camp Nurse. Marti and her family live in the Michiana area.
Lauren Willis has served on the board of directors for Camp Fire since March of 2019. Lauren is a CPA and works in the Athletic Business Office for the University of Notre Dame. She attended Manchester University in Indiana, where she earned a bachelor's of science in accounting. Lauren serves in the finance committee and the board development committee for Camp Fire. She also volunteers with the LaPorte County Draft Horse Association and Cultivate Culinary. Lauren and her husband Bryan live in South Bend with their two daughters.
