who we are
About Us
Merrill Community Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt philanthropic organization created to support programs in the greater Merrill area. The Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes, including making distributions to local non-profit organizations.
“Community-oriented individuals can donate to the Merrill Community Foundation and feel peace of mind knowing the funds will be kept in the Merrill community. Their donations support local needs and enrichment opportunities for residents of all ages,” said Merrill Community Foundation Vice President Laura Huggins.
Our mission
Our mission is clear: support local organizations that seek to enrich the Merrill area community now and into the future.
Our Board
Meet Our Team
The Merrill Community Foundation board is made up of enthusiastic and passionate individuals who wish to serve the Merrill community. Browse board photographs and biographies below!
Christopher Grunenwald
President
Bio coming soon!
Laura Huggins
Vice President
Laura Huggins is honored to serve the compassionate community of Merrill as a board member of the Merrill Community Foundation. Professionally, Huggins has 20 years of marketing experience, mostly in financial services. In 2024, she joined Connexus Credit Union as their SVP of Marketing, leading digital and brand experience. Prior to championing Connexus, she was head of Marketing at Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.
Huggins holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in management and a Bachelor of Arts in communication along with professional certificates and an education policy fellowship. She hopes her skills and experience can help Merrill continue its journey of providing education, arts and services to people of all ages. Huggins is particularly passionate about investing in our community’s children and giving them opportunity.
Linda Semling Peterson
Secretary
As a lifetime resident of the Merrill Community, I am honored to be a member of the Merrill Community Foundation Board of Directors. Merrill is a vibrant community with much to offer our residents and visitors.
I am a retired executive with Semling-Menke Co., Inc. Volunteering with school and church activities, and community organizations is a focus for my time now. I also love spending time with my children and grandsons that live here in Merrill. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Utah. I enjoy the recreational activities in the Merrill area – River Bend Trail, Prairie Trails, MARC, and Council Grounds.
The Foundation supports the many fine organizations in our community that work to make Merrill a wonderful place to live.
Jeremy Cordova
Past President
I along with my wife Carrie, own Cordova Agency Inc. in Merrill, WI. I grew up on a small farm between Tomahawk and Merrill and attended Tomahawk High School. Upon graduation I attended UW-Madison, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Ecology.
We have owned the Cordova Agency since January 2012. Before entering the insurance industry, I held various jobs that provided valuable experiences in many sectors of the economy. I am a past President of the Merrill Chamber of Commerce, Merrill Rotary Club, and Lincoln County Archery Club. I currently serve on the Merrill Area Housing Authority Board, Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Insurance Plan, and am the chair of the legislative Committee of the Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin.
When not working, I enjoy hunting, fishing, golfing, and flying. Our family very much enjoys attending Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill and spending time with family on the Wisconsin River. Merrill has welcomed and embraced this “Tomahawk” guy. Giving back through donating time and treasure through the Foundation as well as other organizations is very important to me.
Julie Bushor
Treasurer
Living in Merrill for 30 plus years, along with my husband, Noel, we raised two beautiful girls here. Noel is co-owner of Courtside Furniture and is also active in the community.
I’ve been an active member serving on various boards, including our local hospital and volunteering for numerous organizations that help strengthen the community like the Girls Scouts, the Senior Celebration and being a youth softball coach, to name a few. I am also an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where I served on the School Committee for 13 years.
I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, and have spent the majority of my professional career in the printing industry; currently as Controller for Reindl Printing Inc.
Being a long-time resident of Merrill, it is a place that I truly call home. It is a community that has so much to offer, and I want to help build upon what we already have. I am excited to serve as a board member for the Merrill Community Foundation. My vision includes supporting causes that benefit the health, recreation, education and safety of Merrill residents; all causes that provide a strong foundation for future growth of our community.
Gregory Gill
Board Member
Retired Family Physician, retired June 2021 after 35 years of practice, all in Merrill, WI. Still active as a part-time instructor/faculty member at the Aspirus Family Medicine Residency in Wausau, WI. I also continue to serve as Merrill’s City Health Officer. Interests are sports, participating (golf, water and snow skiing), and watching. I also enjoy woodworking and spending time with my grandchildren.
My greatest hope as a Community Foundation Board member is to try to continue to move Merrill forward so it can grow and develop into a place where people want to stay and move to. I would like to support the present business community and also provide opportunities for new businesses to locate here. I would also like to promote the beauty of this area, along with all its recreational possibilities being positioned at the gateway to Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
Susan Ryman
Board Member
Susan was born and raised in Merrill where she currently resides with her husband Dale, and daughter Cadence. She is extremely active in the Merrill community and is honored to serve as Board Member for the Merrill Foundation.
Professionally, Susan is the Market Manager at the IncredibleBank Merrill location. She holds Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Communications and Theater Arts from UW-Stevens Point and a Master of Science Degree in Administrative Leadership from UW-Milwaukee.
Susan is passionate about the arts, hunger and homeless initiatives and mental health programs for all ages.
Michael Grunenwald
Board Member
Bio coming soon!
Elizabeth McCrank
Board Member
The Community Development Educator for the UW-Madison Extension in Lincoln County and a native of Wisconsin, McCrank is a graduate of Lawrence University and holds a doctorate in History from Boston University where she taught for two decades. She moved to Merrill in 2015 and has worked for the Merrill Historical Society as well as the T.B. Scott Library (and now serves on the board of the library.) She is a member of the Merrill Optimists Club, the Merrill Area Concert Association, the Lincoln County Sports Club, and often assists Lincoln County Crimestoppers at public events. She serves on the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors and loves walking through her neighborhood, meeting her neighbors (and their dogs) and hearing about their passions and projects. She especially loves winter and winter sports and can be seen “skiing” down the hill near Lion’s Park after a good snowfall – and enjoys maple syrup season even more. She says “The Merrill Community Foundation’s board is one of the most effective and immediate ways in which we can help other people in the community continue to create and carry on the programs, events and traditions that make this city our home!”
Greg Eichelkraut
Board Member
Bio coming soon!