The Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation is led by part-time staff and a working board with representation from each Leelanau community and Chamber of Commerce, to ensure our work is locally driven and meets the needs of Leelanau businesses and communities.

Click on each name below for email contact information.

LPEF Board Officers

  • Jim Bardenhagen, President
    Bardenhagen Farms, Michigan State University Extension Director in Leelanau County, Farm Service Agency County Committee

  • Patricia Soutas-Little, Executive Director & Chairperson
    President & CEO Solira Laboratories, Inc. and Former Leelanau County Board of Commissioner, District #5

  • Brayton Farr, Vice-Chairperson
    Senior Loan Originator, Citywide Home Mortgage, Home Builders Association of NWMI Director of Events & Member Engagement, and President of Leelanau Chamber of Commerce

  • Scott Walker, Secretary
    Founder & Vice President, Due North Marketing Communications Inc.

  • Margaret Ellibee, Treasurer
    Empire Chamber of Commerce, Empire Planning Commission

LPEF Board Members

  • Laura Galbraith
    Executive Director, Venture North Funding & Development

  • Sharon Oriel
    Talisker & Associates; Vice President, Housing North

  • Lois Bahle
    Founding member of the Leelanau Trail (now TART Trail System); Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce; former Board Member of Leelanau Energy; Chair of Housing Action Committee; Chair of Solid Waste Council; Secretary of Suttons Bay/Leelanau Rotary

  • Lisa Rossi-Brett
    Realtor, The Leelanau Group Real Estate; Cedar Chamber of Commerce; Executive Director, Cedar Polka Festival

  • Timothy Haring
    Attorney at Law, Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member & Founder of LPEF, and Former Chair of Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Administrative Support

  • Jamie Jewell
    Marketing Director & Realtor, Schaub Team Premier Realty; Executive Director, Leelanau Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Partners

Strategic Partners