Meet the Board of Directors
- Donna Wald – Board Chair
- Luke Erlenbusch – Director/Communications Liaison
- Marilyn Kolesar-Lynch – Director/Board Secretary
- Mary Lovell – Director/Programs Liaison
- Brian Moersch – Director/CFBISD Liaison
- James Weichel – Director/Finance Liaison
- Carolyn Benavides – Director
- Erin Carter – Director
- Dr. Steve Nguyen – Director
- Alex Sagcal – Director
- Tauren Thompson – Director
- Laurie Wilson – Director
Donna Wald – Board Chair
As the Chairman of the Board of the CFBISD Educational Foundation, Donna Wald brings a breadth of experience in nonprofit management, higher education and public-school administration. Donna has served in advancement and development roles with several nonprofit organizations and her expertise in building and maintaining strong relationships with alumni, key community influencers, and organizations has been critical to their success.
Recently in the role of Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations, Donna directed university outreach and advancement efforts for a private university with a large alumni base spanning over 30 countries - her responsibilities included operations, board relations, public relations, alumni marketing and communication, grant management, development and events management. Ms. Wald served DeVry University as Regional Director of Community Outreach and the Dallas Independent School District as the Coordinator of University Partnerships, where she oversaw the daily operations for the district’s field-based training which partners with universities and colleges. Donna’s skill in strategic partnership development and coalition-building led to significant program expansion and recognition of the DISD Student Teaching Academy and collegiate partnerships that remain in existence. Donna started her career in higher education as Director of Recruitment and Community Outreach at Navarro College, now famous for the Netflix documentary “Cheer”, where she realized the importance of community development, strategic partnerships and purpose-driven missions.
A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Ms. Wald holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Art in Speech Communication with extensive research in Persuasive Communication and Narcissism. With her extensive marketing and promotions experience, Donna has worked with teams to create communication campaigns geared towards multi-level audiences and has authored several recognized strategic marketing materials.
In her spare time Ms. Wald can be found behind the podium teaching at many of the Dallas-area community colleges and serving as a volunteer to organizations promoting education and academic pursuits.
Luke Erlenbusch – Director/Communications Liaison
Luke Erlenbusch has been an active parent, PTA & band booster, and volunteer within CFBISD for the last 15 years, having all three (3) of his children attending various CFBISD schools on the West side of the district during that time. Luke has served on several PTA boards and as President of the Ranchview High School Band Boosters from 2013– 2018. Luke has announced for several CFBISD events, athletics, band, and has been the announcer for Newman Smith’s Tournament of Champions band competition since 2015. Additionally, Luke has served on several district committees including multiple years on Campus Improvement Councils for various campuses, a 2-year commitment on the CFBISD District Improvement Council and was a member of the CFBISD Citizens Facility Advisory Committee.
In 2015, Luke received the Texas PTA Lifetime Membership Award, and in 2018, Luke and his wife Jennifer were both honored by the Ranchview High School Band with a Lifetime Booster Membership Award.
Marilyn Kolesar-Lynch – Director/Board Secretary
Marilyn Kolesar Lynch currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Development at Dallas College Brookhaven. Her current role provides an opportunity for her to utilize her experiences in secondary/higher education and business/industry to enhance Brookhaven College’s partnerships and secure resource support toward building a network to serve individuals, employers and our community.
Her 45 years in community college education in the Tarrant and Dallas County systems include being part of the CFBISD/Brookhaven team that implemented the area’s first Early College High School at Brookhaven. Her varied industry experiences have also informed those in higher education. In addition to her service on the CFBISD Education Foundation Board, Marilyn is active in several professional organizations and is a member and former Board Chair of the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and also serves on the Chamber’s Educational Foundation Board.
Although she lives in Ennis, she values her direct connection to the Carrollton-Farmers Branch community which began as a charter employee at Brookhaven College She continues to demonstrate her passion to serve as a “connector” through her volunteer work with the Foundation
Mary Lovell – Director/Programs Liaison
Mary has volunteered for CFBISD schools since 1991 through community organizations such as North Dallas AAUW, C-FB Association for the Gifted & Talented (C-FB AGT), various PTAs and community advisory committees. She currently serves on the Citizens Bond Advisory Council. She is a Texas PTA Extended Life Member recipient and in 2008 was selected as “Parent of the Year” by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented. She also serves on the boards of the Harvard Business School Club of Dallas, Hope International, C-FB AGT and CFB AAUW Foundation Inc. Her friends describe her as pleasantly persistent in her advocacy for our public schools.
Brian Moersch – Director/CFBISD Liaison
Brian J. Moersch currently serves as the Area Superintendent for Staff and Operations for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. Brian is starting his third year with CFBISD. Prior to joining CFBISD he served as the chief of staff for Ector County ISD (Odessa). Brian has been in education for 14 years and has served in numerous positions such as acting superintendent, assistant superintendent, executive director and director. His goal is to help eliminate opportunity and achievement gaps for all CFBISD children.
James Weichel – Director/Finance Liaison
James Weichel is a Commercial Banker with WaFd Bank and has been in the banking industry for 28 years. James works with commercial clients in the Dallas-Ft Worth area to address their banking needs.
James is very involved in the community and currently serves on the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce (Addison, Carrollton and Farmers Branch) as a board member and previously as Chairman of Board. He also serves on the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Education Foundation as a board member. James is a member of the Park Cities Rotary Club and has participated in volunteer projects with the North Texas Food Bank, Dallas Meals on Wheels and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
James lives in Rockwall, TX and has been married for 26 years. He and his wife Kristen have two children: Anna-Kate (age 21) who attends the University of Oklahoma and Griff (age 14) who attends Cain Middle School.
Carolyn Benavides – Director
Carolyn was raised in South Carrollton and had been here all of her life. As a wife and mother, she has been involved in community activities since 1981. As a business owner in Carrollton, she and her husband utilize their restaurant as a beacon of light to the community by providing food and clothing support to local people in need through out the year.
Erin Carter – Director
Dr. Steve Nguyen – Director
Steve Nguyen earned his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees at the University of Houston and has been in practice in Dallas since 1997. He is active in his professional associations at the local, state, and federal level. He also has an interest in public policy and was appointed by Governors Perry and Abbott to serve on various statewide councils, including the Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council, the Institute for Healthcare Quality and Efficiency, and the Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs. Nguyen also served on the Comptroller Small Business Advisory Council and is currently the Chairman of the Las Colinas Association. He and his wife Lien have lived in the CFB ISD area since 2004. They have two children, Max and Sidney…and a four legged “child” Cho.
Alex Sagcal – Director
Alex is an active member of the community and is a passionate supporter of our Public Educational System. Representing Sam Pack’s Five Star Ford and Five Star Chevrolet of Carrollton as Community/Public Relations Manager, Alex is active in three (3) Chambers of Commerce, is a Life-time PTA Member Recipient, and has been an Adjunct Professor at El Centro College/ DCCCD. Having raised his daughter in the CFBISD system (K-12), Alex’s family has experienced the good care and attention to detail available to all of our families.
Tauren Thompson – Director
Laurie Wilson – Director
Laurie Wilson began her career with the City of Carrollton in 2012. She is currently the Director of Administrative Services/City Secretary and has also served as Administrative Services Manager, Marketing Coordinator, and Marketing Assistant. Laurie joined the Carrollton team as an Administrative Intern in the Parks and Recreation Department. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration from the University of North Texas. Laurie is a Texas Registered Municipal Clerk and completed the Metrocrest Chamber’s Leadership Program in 2016. She is the Vice President for the Urban Management Assistants of North Texas, an active member of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association and serves as the Membership Chair for the North Texas Chapter. Laurie is on the Board of Directors for the CFBISD Educational Foundation, the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club, and has chaired North Texas Regional Leadership Day.