Whatcom Rowing Association

Board of Directors

Lisa began with WRA in 2016 after signing up for Learn to Row, hoping to eventually learn to scull and with no thoughts of rowing as part of a team. Having been a competitive swimmer from the age of 5, getting involved in a true team sport was a new experience, but one that took hold quickly and hasn’t let go. She loves diving into the details of technique and figures the speed will come eventually.
Lisa enjoys her time off the lake hiking with her dog, cross country skiing, kayaking, and dreaming of travel to faraway places. Work days are spent in the environmental world for the non-profit Northwest Straits Foundation where she restores our marine shorelines for salmon, Orcas, and all the other critters that rely on healthy habitats.

Jeremey was born and raised in rural Nebraska. He moved to Bellingham in 2000 to attend WWU. After graduation and working two years in Seattle, Jeremey and his wife, Kristin, relocated back to Bellingham to build a family.

Fast forward 20 years and their son decided to give rowing a shot! The entire family was immediately hooked!! Jeremey and Kristin both love supporting their kids and youth sports. They both actively volunteer for Whatcom Rowing Association and Bellingham Bay Swim Team.

When he’s not running his business, chasing kids, volunteering, or working on his farm, you’ll find Jeremey at the golf course or a rock concert. Jeremey holds a BA from WWU, operates Edge Home Finance in Bellingham and has worked in financial services for 25+ years.

Kristin holds a Masters of Education from WWU and is a published author with Penguin Random House. Their favorite mornings are spent sipping coffee and watching the rowers as the fog lifts off of Lake Samish.

With a passion for rowing that began in the mid-nineties at Seattle University, Kate feels fortunate to have been part of the Lake Stevens, Green Lake, and Vashon Rowing Clubs before joining Whatcom Rowing Association, where she has been a member for over 12 years. Kate has served on the board in the past and currently holds the position of vice president, working to support and grow the club. Rowing is not just a sport for her—it’s a community, a connection to the outdoors, and an opportunity to experience the unparalleled synergy of a shell flying across the water. Kate’s son rowed as a junior for five years and now competes for Seattle University, continuing her family’s love for the sport. Kate looks forward to contributing to the continued growth of Whatcom Rowing Association and sharing the joy of rowing with others.

Outside of rowing Kate is a lifetime educator as a public school teacher and administrator. Her current position in Bellingham Public Schools is running a program that supports families who include home learning as a part of their educational path. She enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, reading and exploring every antique store around.

Sheila joined her first rowing program at Vancouver Rowing Club in 2004 but real life took over and it wasn’t until 2011 in Bellingham when she was able to pursue this sport she had always hoped to be a part of. She saw a sign about a new rowing club at Lake Whatcom and signed up for one of the first Learn to Row programs at the ‘boat yard’ on the south side of the Bloedel parking lot before the beautiful boathouse became a reality. Rowing has become a huge part of her life, her health and her recovery from a cancer journey. She makes a point of finding rowing clubs wherever she travels for work or pleasure and to join in with rowers worldwide to explore waterways from her favorite place – the sliding seat. Sheila joined the Board in 2023 and fully assumed the Treasurer role in 2024.

Sheila is a CPA and works in International Disaster Response for a faith-based non-profit in a role that is usually related to Finance, Logistics and Human Resource responsibilities. She is eager to bring the adaptability, problem-solving and resiliency of her work style to the Whatcom Rowing Association. She lives in BC with her husband and has 3 adult daughters that make her smile every day.

Sarah was introduced to rowing when her three sons joined the WRA Junior team in 2022. She quickly gained an appreciation for the camaraderie of larger boats and loves being in an 8 best. She thinks there is nothing better than the feeling of swing with her eyes closed. She likes racing and the thrill of regattas, as well as the quiet peace of rowing in her single shell at the south end of Lake Whatcom.

Sarah has served on the Board in the past as Junior Parent Rep and currently as Social/Membership Committee Chair. She strives to create community for all members of WRA and dreams of bringing rowing opportunities to underserved youth and all those seeking an escape from loneliness. When not rowing, Sarah loves to read, travel, study languages and cherish her family and dog.

Jaime’s first exposure to the sport of rowing was as a coxswain for his first two years of high school. After a growths spurt made him too large to cox any longer, he switched to rowing for his last two years of high School. He then continued rowing through college at SUNY Maritime College and has since rowed at Norwalk River Rowing Club in Connecticut, Vesta Rowing club in London UK, and is happy to have found a new home at WRA with his daughter who is an active Junior rower.

Jaime has spent most of his life around the water or working in a sector of the maritime industry. He has been a ships officer, chartering manager, and currently runs the Blue Water Scholarship Fund, a non-profit dedicated to helping students go to Maritime College. Jaime is eager to see WRA grow and share some of the benefits of rowing he has enjoyed with the local community.

Coming soon…

Angela Maher was introduced to rowing through her high school son’s participation in the sport and quickly became an active member of the rowing community. In addition to supporting youth rowing, she has been involved in beach sprints rowing as both a boat handler and coach, assisting athletes in developing technical skill, resilience, and confidence on and off the water.

Angela brings previous career experience as a leader in education and human resources, as well as experience serving on nonprofit and advisory boards, contributing governance oversight and mission-focused guidance.

Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Angela enjoys hiking, skating, reading, and travel.

Page began rowing as a freshman at Western Washington University in 1977, contributing to the launch of its first women’s rowing team. This club later gained varsity status, forming the foundation for today’s powerhouse program.

After Western Page earned her Paralegal Certification at the University of San Diego. Having decided that Whatcom County is home, she returned and began a career with more than twenty years of litigation paralegal experience before moving into nonprofit civil legal aid. As Program Coordinator with Law Advocates, Page blended legal ability with a passion for social justice.

In retirement, she returned to rowing, joining WRA in 2016, and its Board of Directors in 2026. As Member at Large and Equipment Manager/Liaison, she offers practical skills and dedication to the rowing community. She also enjoys alpine skiing, and putting around her turn-of-the-century farmhouse property.

Deana moved to Bellingham in May 2025 and started her first Learn to Row course mid-June. She had not rowed before, but it has been at the back of her mind since going to college at the U of WI-Madison and being asked to try out for their crew team (she doesn’t think she lasted a week). With all the water up here in Bellingham, it seemed like a good time to check it out for real. She says she is halfway hooked already! She likes the learning, the challenge, being outdoors, and the community is fantastic.

Deana previous lived in Oregon and worked as a researcher at Oregon State University for 20 years before taking a break and becoming heavily involved in Search and Rescue with her dog Midnight. She has previous board experience with other non-profit boards, and has extensive experience writing grants. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking with her dog, reading, and gardening.

Board of Directors

Lisa Kaufman

Jeremey Beck

Kate Baehr

Sheila Vicic

Sarah Witte

Jaime Cleveland

Martin Shelton

Angela Maher

Page Henkel Chance

Deana Grobe