Board Members

Colleen Schoenfeld (she/her/hers) is the founder and Board President for the Center for Equity Education.  She was previously a Senior Investigator at the University of  Michigan, investigating Discrimination and Harassment concerns as well as Sexual Misconduct concerns. Prior to that she was a Civil Rights Investigator at Central Michigan University. Colleen began her career in the United States Army from 2003-2015 where in addition to flying Apaches, she also served as a Unit Victim Advocate and unit trainer. She received her bachelor’s degree in German in 2006 from Eastern Illinois University and her master’s degree in Public Administration in 2018 from Central Michigan University and is a current PhD student at the California Institute of Integral Studies.  Colleen is passionate about providing equity education to the underserved K-12 community and about making reforms to the military's handling of sexual misconduct. 

Lauren E. Spencer (she/her/hers) is the Secretary for the Center of Equity Education.  Lauren graduated from Michigan State University College of Law with her Juris Doctor and a certificate in Indigenous Law and Policy. Prior to law school, Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Relations and Policy from James Madison College at Michigan State University. Lauren has been a Civil Rights Investigator since 2016.  Lauren has responded to reports of harassment and discrimination—including sexual and gender-based misconduct—involving students, faculty, and staff. Lauren also has extensive experience developing and facilitating training on subjects including discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. Lauren has previously been a Law Clerk for Legal Services of South Central Michigan and a Program Coordinator for Michigan State University’s Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Resource Center. She also served as a Vice Chair for the American Bar Association’s Civil Rights and Social Justice Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys yoga, vegetarian cooking, and gardening.

Cathy Schoenfeld (she/her/hers) is the Treasurer for the Center of Equity Education.  Cathy is also a Certified Nurse Midwife and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.  She received her BSN from the University of Michigan and MSN from the University Hawaii-Manoa.  She recently started a new position as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in a Sexual Assault Healthcare Program developed at Michigan State University and due to open at the end of September 2020.  As an Army spouse for almost 30 years, she has lived and worked all over the world including Germany, Hawaii, Louisiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and in Michigan where she was born and raised.  Prior to moving back to Michigan in 2016, she spent 18 years in Chicago where she worked in the Nurse Midwifery practice and taught in the CNM/WHNP program at the University of Illinois Chicago.  
Most of her career has been spent providing care to women in underserved and minority populations in both outpatient and inpatient settings.  In her role as a healthcare provider to women, she has heard many stories from her patients and has seen the effects that sexual abuse and assault and gender and racial inequality can have on both women and their families.  For this reason, she is very excited to see how the services that the Center for Equity Education will provide can address these issues and is very honored to serve on the board.

DaeSean Ashby (he/him/his) is a Policy Advisor for the Michigan House of Representatives Democratic Caucus. Prior to graduating with his master’s in political science from Central Michigan University, DaeSean served as a Multicultural Advisor (MA) for 150 students housed in the residence halls. The MA position instilled a passion for equity and justice education while also positioning him to have difficult conversations in relation to privilege and oppression. While in college, DaeSean enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve and served as an admin personnel. DaeSean has the future goal of running for political office. Until then, he is focused on using his racial and cultural experiences to assist in developing thoughtful democratic policies.  

Andrew Kruley (he/him/his) received his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law where he served as Administrative Editor on the Elder Law Journal. Prior to law school, Andrew received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Sociology from the University of Michigan. Andrew was a Civil Rights Investigator at Michigan State University’s Office for Institutional Equity and prior to that was a Supervisory Investigator at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office for Civil Rights, where he supervised investigations of cases and compliance reviews of health care providers, and served as Chairperson for the Midwest Region's Outreach Program. Andrew's lifelong interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion inspired him to pursue a career in civil rights compliance and was honored to be asked to join this board as he has been searching for a way to better connect with the community.  

Jennifer Page (she/her/hers)  is the Executive Director of R.I.S.E. Advocacy, Inc., a domestic violence, and sexual assault services agency based in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and serving Clare, Isabella, and Gratiot counties. Jennifer is a two-time graduate of Central Michigan University and holds a B.S. in Social Studies/Secondary Education, and a master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA). Jennifer has served as a board member for Ten 16 Recovery Services since 2021 and is a member of the fundraising committee. Recently, she was also elected to the Board of Directors for the Center for Equity Education, based in Michigan. She is also an active member of the Edenville Township Museum Committee, and the Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club. Jennifer is a lifelong resident of Midland County where she resides with her husband and their four sons.