Leadership Council – Fond du Lac Blades

Support Teams

Blades parents are just as much of a family as the athletes. Through early morning practices, bus rides, and ice show weekends, our parents become their own team. Our amazing parents form an essential support team to the Blades, providing the best possible experience for skaters and their families. We believe that parents are an essential to the behind-the-scenes success of our skaters.

The Fond du Lac Blades program is a stable, fiscally responsible, volunteer-run organization.

2026-27 Blades Leadership Council

Michelle Walny

Chair, Safe Sport
Email: fdlblades@gmail.com

Our family has been part of the Blades for the last six years and Wisconsin Edge for three years prior to joining Blades. I have served on the Blades Leadership Council for the last two years.

In my professional life, I am a high school English and Communication teacher and will be celebrating year 25 in public education next year! Several of those years were spent as the department head of English.

Kim Trent

Treasurer, Scrip Coordinator
Email: fdlbladesfinances@gmail.com

Jinnie King

Flight and Hotel Coordinator
Email: jinnieking@gmail.com

My Blades skater is my daughter, Kloe. She has been with Blades since 2019 and prior to that she was a synchro skater with WI Edge (2016-2018). During my years with WI Edge, I had the opportunity to be a team lead.

Tj Baseley

Practice Ice Coordinator, Competition Itineraries
Email: tjbaseley38@gmail.com

Jenny Drake

Email: jennydrake1977@gmail.com

I’m a lifelong resident of the community, a proud mom to Olivia (10), a Blades skater, and Owen (8), a hockey player, and I’ve been married for 23 years. Though our family is relatively new to skating, we’ve embraced the competitive and supportive spirit of the Blades, and I’m excited to give back to an organization that has brought us so much joy. As an executive at Grande Cheese Company with board experience, I’m passionate about strategic planning and collaboration to help ensure the Blades’ success for generations to come.

Katie Hamburg

Junior Fundraising Co-Coordinator
Email: hamburgk@fonddulac.k12.wi.us

I have been a Blades parent for many years. I have admired the hard work that goes on behind the scenes and I am ready to join the team that makes it work.

I have been a teacher for 24 years! And I bring creative ideas with organization. I am a hard worker and loyal to my passions.

Becky Ruth

Bus Transportation, Volunteer Coordinator
Email: rdruth4@gmail.com

Our family has been involved with Synchro going on 8 years, including Ice Stars, Wisconsin Edge and Fond du Lac Blades. This season will mark our 6th year as Blades! I am overwhelmed by the true spirit of family and community that the Blades organization emanates. Our family is so honored to represent the Blades organization, the Fond du Lac community, our state and country as a Blade both on and off the ice.

Amanda Hildebrand

Friends of Fondy Blades Coordinator, Fundraising

Email: ajhildebrand1@hotmail.com

Julie Papenfuss

Heather Thorson

Marketing Committee Lead

I’ve been a part of the Blades organization since 2019 when my daughter began skating on the Prelim team. I’m excited to have my youngest daughter also join Blades this year, at the Aspire level.

Professionally, I am a marketing strategist for a Fortune 500 company, responsible for multi-channel advertising and growth marketing strategies.

I look forward to being part of the leadership council and helping Blades grow for years to come.

Emily Fink

Apparel Coordinator

Our family’s synchronized skating journey began in 2022, after our daughter spent a few months skating with the Fond du Lac Figure Skating Club. After watching practices, she knew she had to give synchro a try—and the rest is history! Our entire family quickly fell in love with the sport, the friendships, and the incredible community that comes with it.

We’re excited to continue being part of this organization for many years to come. As a small business owner in our community with a background in organizational change leadership, I’m honored to serve on the Leadership Council and look forward to using my experience to support our skaters, families, volunteers, and the continued growth of this amazing organization.

Evie Schaefer

Emeritus
Email: FDLBlades@gmail.com

Bridget Grover

FDL FSC Committee President

Our family joined Blue Line in Fond du Lac when our daughter Shalyn, and eventually son, got into the Learn to skate hockey program. They both stopped that, but Shalyn started in figure skating three years ago, and I began attending FDL FSC club board meetings shortly after, simply wanting to help and learn the ropes. Since then I've especially enjoyed helping organize our ice show and home competition and watching our skaters grow in confidence on the ice. Shalyn(8) now skates Blades at the aspire level as well as club, and now as FDL FSC committee president, I look forward to representing the FDL FSC at the Blades Leadership Council meetings.

Past Members

We thank our past council members for their service and contributions. Because of their hard work, our skaters continue to be a part of our growing family.

Jessica Sabel

Tracy Scharf

Jaime Bachleitner

Michele Gilbert

Jessica Arndt

Mark Westpfahl

Contact Info

Fond du Lac Blades
550 Fond du Lac Ave
Fond du Lac, WI 54935

fdlblades@gmail.com

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