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, Chairperson
    President & CEO Solira Laboratories, Inc. and Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, District #5

  • Brayton Farr, Vice-Chairperson
    Loan Originator, Cardinal Financial, and President of Leelanau Chamber of Commerce

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

  • Jeffrey Shaw, Treasurer
    Supervisor, Elmwood Township

LPEF Board Members

  • Timothy Haring
    Attorney at Law, Founder LPEF, and Former Chair of Leelanau Peninsula Chamber

  • Laura Galbraith
    Executive Director, Venture North Funding & Development

  • Sharon Oriel
    Talisker & Associates, and 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

  • Margaret Ellibee
    Empire Chamber of Commerce, Empire Planning Commission

  • Lisa Rossi-Brett
    Realtor, The Leelanau Group Real Estate and Cedar Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Partners

Strategic Partners