Staff

Lora Wondolowski, Director

A passion for community empowerment and coalition-building

"I am thrilled to lead the Leadership Pioneer Valley program, bringing the contacts and experience I have from directing programs at all levels to bear in my own backyard. This effort is much needed to strengthen the diverse communities throughout the Valley."

- Lora Wondolowski

Lora joins Leadership Pioneer Valley after serving as the founding Executive Director of the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters (MLEV) for the last 5 1/2 years. She was involved in all aspects of building MLEV into a successful, well-respected organization including administration, fundraising, management, board development, coalition-building, and strategic planning. Her political acumen and strategy has earned the organization strong support with members of Congress, the Governor, members of the legislature and the mayor of Boston. Prior to her work with MLEV, she worked for the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and National Audubon Society in DC. While at LCVEF and Audubon, she launched and organized several successful programs and training programs. She has nearly 20 years of experience with grassroots organizing and community outreach.

Lora holds a BS from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a MS from Bard College. She was one of the founders of the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turner’s Falls, was a volunteer and board member of Pride Zone Youth Center in Northampton, and was the founder of the Progressive Christian Voice at First Churches of Northampton. She lives in Greenfield with her spouse and two young daughters.

Lynn Shell, Administrative Assistant

Lynn received her MA and BA summa cum laude, from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania with a major in Art Studio. For many years, she worked in the Pioneer Valley as a self-employed visual artist; she also has over 15 years of experience as an administrative assistant. Lynn began working in May 2010 for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, where she continues to provide part-time administrative support. Prior to that, she worked for Step Up Springfield, a community mobilization campaign whose mission was to help Springfield students achieve proficiency in academics and character development.  As part of Step Up’s focus on parent and family engagement, Lynn worked with trainers and site hosts to schedule parent workshops.  While working at Step Up, Lynn also helped present various events including convenings, exhibitions, receptions, and the annual Kids of Character Awards Celebration. Lynn is delighted to use her skills to assist LPV with this important initiative.