Meet the Board
Christine Fowler Shearer - Governor
Christine Fowler Shearer is an art historian, curator, and writer whose latest project, Mirror Mirror, focuses on contemporary female artists that focus on issues of identity—as a woman, artist, mother, and/or daughter. With a background in the museum field, Shearer has spent the last twenty years focused on raising awareness of non-mainstream artists, periods and regions. Her interest in women in the arts led to her getting a Ph.D. in Cultural Art History from Warnborough College, Ireland in 2017, with a dissertation on four female artists working and living in Taos, New Mexico from the 1920s through the 1940s.
Shearer received her BA in Art History from Kent State University and her MA in Art History from the University of Notre Dame in 1996. She attended the Getty Museum Leadership Institute in July 2006. In 2010 she founded her own company, Fowler Artistic, to provide curatorial, editorial and support services for museums, non-profits, collectors and artists.
Shearer has curated a number of exhibitions, including The Ohio Presidents: Surprising Legacies, Duo/Trio: Diptychs and Triptychs by 14 Ohio Artists, The Urban Landscape: A Tale of Grandeur and Abandonment, Joseph O’Sickey: Unifying Life, Love and Art, Against the Grain: Modernism in the Midwest, Midwestern Visions of Impressionism, Breaking With Tradition: Ohio Women Painters, 1870-1950, Transcended Memories, Framework of a Community: The Steel Industry in Stark County, 1861-1865, Untrodden Paths: Contemporary Landscape Painters, William Glackens: Works and Process, Carl Gaertner: A Story of Earth and Steel, and The Poetics of Place: Charles Burchfield and the Cleveland Connection.
Audrey Jarvey - governor elect
I am Audrey Jarvey and I began my Soroptimist journey in 1987 when a dear friend invited me to a meeting of the Fond du Lac Club. I was at first in awe of this group of very professional businesswomen, and thought to myself – I surely would never fit in here! But they were all very open and friendly and I felt drawn to become a part them. I attended another meeting and was then invited to become a member – it was one of the best and most life-changing decisions I have made.
Being a Soroptimist and part of my club has helped me grow professionally and personally. I became involved right away in chairing the TAP Award committee (now the WOA). Throughout the years I have served on almost every committee we’ve had-I’ve co-chaired Chocolate Fantasy and have served on the board for as many years as I can remember, first as Recording Secretary, as a Director at Large, President-Elect, President and Past President.
Working together with these awesome women, making lifelong friendships and helping other women has definitely made me a better person. Professionally, I have become a better speaker; I’ve made excellent networking contacts, and have a confidence that has evolved as I continue to move forward.
Being a member of the Region board is such an opportunity to expand my Soroptimist involvement to the next level. I enjoy working with the other board members from the region. I think that I have really gotten a better feel for the “big picture” of our mission and the amazing work that is being done and all of the positive results of that work. And, best of all, getting to know the women of region and the friendships that develop – that’s the icing on the cake!
My professional background is in Accounting and am now Very happily retired!
Personally, I had just met my husband Don around the time I joined Soroptimist. We were married in 1989 and are continuing our adventure in retirement. He is a very dedicated Soroptimister!
lINDA ALPERS - TREASURER
I’m Linda Alpers and am a charter member of SI Northeast Suburban Franklin County. Over the last 25 years, I have served in all office positions in my club and have been the registration chair for the region since 2010. For the last year I have also been the webmaster for simwr.org.
I have worked at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for the last 32 years and am currently a Clinical Applications Consultant working with their electronic medical record application. I plan to retire at the end of 2022 and will then have more time to dedicate to Soroptimist and the position of treasurer.
I am currently the sole caregiver to my parents who now live with me and my 3 fur babies.
Sheila Zingler-Gilbert - Secretary
Sheila Zingler-Gilbert is a member from SI Fond Du Lac also known as the "chocolate club." She has been a member since November 1999. She has been involved in many areas within her club but the most rewarding experience was serving as the club's President. This was a great experience and looking back, she is glad she did it. Sheila is an only child but feels lucky to have a big Soroptimist family. Her parents are her biggest Soroptimist supporters. They have been there every step of the way on her Soroptimist journey to guide, assist, listen, encourage, and give advice. They are always there to attend the events and help out the club.
Connie Gindt - District I director
I have been a member of Soroptimist International of Fond du Lac since 1990 and have enjoyed 30 plus years of awarding women and girls financial assistance through our educational awards. We’ve assisted our community in many other ways, including redecorating a bedroom for a women and her children at the local shelter, participated in Light Up the Night, worked to women’s build for Habitat for Humanity, Team Trivia Night for Literacy and donated funds for so many local programs that needed our help.
Our fundraiser have been unique to say the least; Landmark ornaments, Chocolate Fantasy, Rummage Sale, Brat Fry, Antique Appraisal Night, style show, international dinners and raffles to name a few.
The bonus part of my Soroptimist membership is the lifelong friendships I have gained through working side-by-side with these wonderful women. We each have different life experience and are able to trust and share with each other those differences and remain friends. Plus it's great fun!
With a 42 plus year career in customer service, I truly believe that teamwork and good communication is key to making a difference; at home, at work and in our organization. I recommend new members especially volunteer for committee work right away and get to know your fellow members. You will find them a fascinating group!
I look forward to serving as your District I Director. My email is always open (voicemail - not so good with that).
Let’s make this a rewarding and fun biennium.
jAN YOUWER - dISTRIC i sECRETARY
I’ve been a member of the SI Fond du Lac club since 1999. During that time, I’ve had the honor of serving many years on the board, first as Treasurer, then Recording Secretary, President Elect, President and Director. I’ve also had the pleasure of serving as chair of numerous committees including Chocolate Fantasy.
Being an active part of the Fond du Lac club has always been a family affair. My husband and both children have been active participants in many of our fundraisers and activities. I love being a part of this organization and am so grateful for the friendships and the opportunity to work side by side with such an amazing group of women.
In my professional life, I worked in financial services for nearly thirty years, first in the Chicago area, then in Wisconsin. Now happily retired I’m finding more time for all the things I love to do.
I look forward to representing you as part of the Region Board
Ruth Waggoner - District II Director
Ruth Waggoner has been a member of SI Kenton/Hardin County since 2007. I have served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Delegate at the club level and been on several committees in our club. At the Regional Level, I am continuing as District II Director and I also served as chairman of the Dream It Be It program.
My husband Bill and my family have supported me in all my roles as a Soroptimist. They know how passionate I am about Soroptimist and what it means to me. We have five children and eleven grandchildren who keeps us every busy. Three in college, three in high school, two in middle school and three in grade school, so lots of activities to go to.
Bill and I are both retired now from farming and I also worked and retired from Huntington Bank as a Universal Banker. We like to travel and we were snow birds in Florida for twelve years and decided to sell our home down south.
Being District Director has allowed me to get to know the clubs better in my district and to watch them grow and become successful. It also has allowed me to make many more new friends.
Laura Ferguson - District II Secretary
Laura Ferguson is serving her second term as District II Secretary and has been a member of SI/Kenton/Hardin County since 2012. She has held several offices in her club, including President and Virginia Wagner Award chair. She joined the club after asking then-Governor Missie Austin what was this Sophmorist thing that she belonged to? One meeting later, she was a new member and could pronounce Soroptimist correctly.
Laura graduated from the Ohio State University in 2001 with a BA in English. She then went on to serve in the US Peace Corps (RPCV/Bangladesh ’03-’05) before returning home to work in the family business. Since then, she has been active in her community as county deputy to the Ohio State Grange, member of the Ohio Knit Wits Knitting Guild, and various other community groups.
Kellie Klingle - District III Director
Hello! My name is Kellie Klingel, and I am the District III Director. I have been a Soroptimist for 6 years with the group from Flat Rock, Michigan area. My first meeting was with my best friend, and I joined instantly, but it wasn’t until after my first conference that the power of Soroptimist really “clicked”.
I have served as the Club President, President-Elect, Live Your Dream Chair, and as a member of the Fundraising Committee. However, my favorite part of Soroptimist has been meeting all of my new, wonderful friends, near and far.
I have an Associate Degree in Business Administration and have been employed as a Legal Secretary for over 30 years in the metro Detroit area.
I look forward to representing all of you on the Board as your District III Director!
GAIL hUTRA - District III Secretary
Gail Hutra is the District III Secretary and a member of Soroptimist International of Monroe County. She has held the offices of Secretary, Program Chair, Celebration of Women Co-Chair, Bylaws Chair, Delegate, and Region Laws and Resolutions Chair. Gail had attended and volunteered at many Soroptimist events prior to becoming a member of her club in 2010.
Gail spent 33 years in Retail Store Management and is now retired. She is the current Treasurer for The Salvation Army of Monroe Advisory Board, the Trustee of St. Michael’s We Care, and a member of The United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties Special Events Committee.
ALEXandra nicholis COON - District IV Director
Alexandra Nicholis Coon is the District IV Director for Soroptimist International of Canton/Stark County and a member of the Canton/Stark County Club. She has previously served as the Region Public Awareness Chair, District IV Secretary, Region Virginia Wagner Award chair, and club president.
Nicholis Coon currently serves as executive director for the Massillon Museum and holds a BA in art history from Kent State University and an MA in art history through the joint program at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Case Western Reserve University. She has been with the Massillon Museum since 2001 and served as curator from 2003 to 2010. Coon served as board president for the Ohio Museums Association from 2017-2019, and is currently the board chair for Visit Canton. She is active on boards of the Cleveland Print Room, Massillon WestStark Chamber Foundation, and the Aultman Health Foundation. Museum Advocacy is near and dear to her heart; she has joined museum colleagues nationwide on Capitol Hill for eight years now as part of the American Alliance of Museums Advocacy Day. She has led two major capital projects for Massillon Museum, most recently a $6.2 million expansion.
She and her husband Joshua live in North Canton with their twin daughters.
AMY HURSEY - District IV Secretary
I’m Amy Hursey and I’m the District IV Secretary and a member of SI Zanesville where I serve as recording secretary and Public Awareness chair.
I joined Soroptimist after being introduced to the club by a friend. I am a true volunteer at heart and have always had a strong desire to be a part of something bigger than me.
I have worked as a lab supervisor for 30 years. I am active in my church and enjoy traveling with my husband Shawn. In my spare time I like to read, love to cook and enjoy completing the Wordle puzzle every day.
I am looking forward to the new experiences and knowledge that will come from serving as the District IV Secretary.