Laurie Drapela
Laurie A. Drapela is a Professor of Criminal Justice at Washington State University Vancouver. Her research explores the intersections of mental health, behavioral health, neurodiversity, and formal justice systems. She also researches offending desistance trajectories among youth. Her manuscripts have appeared in Justice Quarterly, Crime & Delinquency, The Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Deviant Behavior, Youth & Society, The Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Justice Policy Journal, and The Social Science Journal. She co-authored Law and Neurodiversity: Youth with Autism and Juvenile Justice Systems in Canada and the United States, published by University of British Columbia Press (2020). She serves as an autism advocate in her local community of Vancouver, Washington, as a member of the editorial board of Spectrum Life magazine.
Karin Edwards
President, Clark College
Appointed to Advisory Council in 2020.
Karin Edwards’ 36-year career at community colleges spans roles from admissions counselor to campus president. She currently serves as president for Clark College. Previously, she served as president of Portland Community College’s Cascade Campus. Her community service includes serving on the board of directors of Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives and on the advisory board of the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, as well as being an active member of the Partners in Diversity Leadership Council and the Oregon Presidents Council of the Oregon Community College Association. Edwards earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in higher education administration at State University of New York at Albany, and her doctorate degree in educational leadership at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I.
Lindsay Fisher
Vice President, Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Advisory Council Chair
Appointed to Advisory Council in 2015. Advisory Council Chair in 2018.
Lindsay Fisher is vice president of Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver. She is a member of the 2015 class of Leadership Clark County and received the Vancouver Business Journal’s Accomplished and Under 40 honor that same year. Fisher has received the Paul Harris award from the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County. She serves on the board of the Association of Washington Business and the Trauma Intervention Program Advisory Council. Fisher earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and hospitality business management from WSU.
Julianna Marler
CEO, Port of Vancouver, USA
Appointed to Advisory Council in 2016.
Julianna Marler, CEO of the Port of Vancouver USA, is the first female CEO in the port’s 105-year history and one of just a handful of female port CEOs in the United States. Previously, she served as the port’s chief financial officer. Before joining the port, she worked as procurement services manager for the City of Vancouver for nine years. Marler received the 2018 Women of Achievement Iris Award from Clark College and serves on the boards of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and Greater Portland Inc. Marler earned a degree in business administration from WSU.
Stephanie McClintock
State Representative, 18th Legislative District
Stephanie McClintock represents the 18th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Capital Budget, Consumer Protection and Business, and Education committees. She brings experience in public service and community engagement, including four years on the Battle Ground School Board. McClintock currently works in public relations for United Grain Corporation and holds a Bachelor of Arts in business management from Concordia University. Committed to supporting effective governance and education policy, she remains active in local organizations and community initiatives.
Tim Merlino
Superintendent, Educational Service District 112
Appointed to Advisory Council in 2014.
Tim Merlino became the superintendent and chief executive officer of Educational Service District 112 after serving as chief financial officer for 28 years. Since his appointment, ESD 112 has evolved into a $70 million-plus enterprise, with significant growth in early learning, school construction, STEM initiatives and innovative student support programs. Merlino serves on the board of the state’s THRIVE Washington, is vice chair of the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative, and co-chairs the Southwest Washington STEM Network. He is a WSU graduate.
Julie Olson
Senior Sales Executive for KEP Technologies, Inc.
Appointed to Advisory Council in 2019.
In addition to more than 30 years in private industry specializing in scientific sales and management, Julie Olson has served 15 years in public service; seven years on the Clark County Council and eight years on the Ridgefield School Board. She is also president of the Northwest Wine & Food Society, which is dedicated to raising funds for scholarships, grants and educational opportunities for students in culinary arts, viticulture and fermentation sciences.
Lon Pluckhahn
City Manager, Vancouver
Lon Pluckhahn has served as Vancouver’s city manager since October 2024. He oversees all city operations, including a $2.1 billion biennial budget and more than a dozen departments. With more than 30 years in local government, he brings deep experience in municipal finance, housing, economic development and community planning. Before joining Vancouver, he was city manager of Marion, Iowa, for nearly 15 years. Pluckhahn holds master’s degrees in community and regional planning and public administration from Iowa State University, where he also earned his undergraduate degree. He is the immediate past president of the International City/County Management Association.
Lisa Keohokalole Schauer
President, PointNorth Consulting, Board of Regents, WSU
Appointed to Advisory Council in 2016.
Lisa Keohokalole Schauer, is president of PointNorth Consulting. She is passionate about inspiring leaders and empowering teams to achieve their business goals. A tireless community advocate, she serves as board chair for The Children’s Center and is co-founder and board chair of the H-RoC nonpartisan political action committee. Her numerous awards and recognitions include the Iris Award from Clark College and the Women of Influence Award from Portland Business Journal. Schauer earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership and learning from George Washington University, and bachelor’s degrees in public relations and political science from Gonzaga University.
Jasmine Tolbert
Vice President, People and Culture, YWCA Clark County
Appointed to Advisory Council in 2021.
Jasmine Tolbert is a lifelong Clark County resident and proud VanCoug! She graduated from WSU Vancouver in 2017 with a B.A. in social sciences. She serves as HR director for YWCA Clark County and is a champion for racial equity in the community through her role as NAACP Vancouver president. Tolbert also serves on WSU Vancouver’s Equity Diversity Advisory Board.
Mei Wu
Co-Founder and VP of Corporate Development, Speak Technologies, Oregon Venture Fund Ambassador
Appointed to Advisory Council in 2016.
Mei Wu, co-founder and vice president of corporate development at Speak Technologies, is a seasoned executive in the software industry. She is an advisor to start-ups and entrepreneurial ecosystems, an ambassador for the Oregon Venture Fund, and an advocate for partnerships between businesses and higher education in Southwest Washington. She serves on the board of the Columbia River Economic Development Council and volunteers for the Business Growth Mentor and Analysis Program (MAP) for the Carson College of Business at WSU Vancouver. Wu earned an MBA from WSU.
Sharon Wylie
49th Legislative District Representative, Washington State Legislature
Appointed to Advisory Council as ex-officio in 2014.
Sharon Wylie is the 49th District legislative representative for the Washington State Legislature, a position she has held for four terms. Her successes for Clark County included obtaining funding for the Clark County Center for Community Health, the new crime lab, and the Salmon Creek Interchange. She has served as president of the Council for the Homeless, and as board member of Affordable Community Environments. Sharon earned a BA in political science from UC Riverside.