board of directors

Hi, I'm mom to Kameron, my 23 year old special needs daughter who is the inspiration behind Never Say Never Playland.  In 2015 I approached the Lake Geneva Board of Park Commissions to inquire about putting adaptive swings in at a few playgrounds, but by the time I got to the meeting I decided to ask to build a fully inclusive playground instead! I'm not sure what I was thinking at that time, but it happened. The land was donated by the park board and the city donated $15,000.  Yikes... so here we go!! 

I have been a single mom to Kameron all of her life. I worked full-time for corporate for many years in the medical and manufacturing field and during that time I also waitressed part-time.  Today, I concentrate on fundraising efforts for NSN and am Kameron's main caretaker.  

Why a fully accessible playground? Well, Kameron cannot play like other kids, we quit going to playgrounds for many years because she enjoys swinging and the playgrounds in our local area do not offer swings that are safe for her to swing on and there are no other components that she can physically access that are safe for her.  At NSN she will be able to swing safely, play on the merry-go-round and go on the zip line!! Most importantly, she will also be able to play with all of her friends! 

Let's get NSN built!! 

~Dusti

My name is Cathy.  I am on the board of Never Say Never as their Finance person.

I grew up in Southeastern Wisconsin but have lived in Oklahoma and Georgia as well.  I have been back in this area for about 40 years.  I still plan to escape the winters - but haven't been able to make that work!

I have been in corporate accounting my whole career.  Recently, I opened my own accounting business and I see and know well, the struggles of small businesses and of non-profit organizations.  My clients range from a couple churches to large companies that employ more than 50 people.  I have a bachelors degree in accounting and well as over 35 years in the accounting field.

When I heard about Never Say Never, I knew I wanted to be involved.  My mom worked at The Christian League which is now Inspiration Ministries.  You could say I grew up around people of all disabilities.  I never saw them as being different - I just saw that they struggled more that I ever had to.  

I live in Elkhorn and have 5 wonderful grandchildren.  We go to parks often and I am usually the one that says we have to go - after a few hours of them having fun.  To see a person in a wheelchair watching my grandkids run and play - I feel the heartbreak.  

My efforts helping Never Say Never will always be something that I am proud of.  This organization is working hard to make a playland that every person can utilize.  My joy will be to go to our playground and hear the giggles and see the smiles.  I can't wait for that day.

~Cathy

My name is Scott, and I am on the Never Say Never Playland board of directors. I have lived in the Lake Geneva area for 28 years. 

In 2020 I retired from a long-term career management position in food manufacturing with Echo Lake Foods in Burlington, WI where I managed the sales/marketing and R&D Departments. Beginning in 1992, product developed and sales to fast food restaurant groups, hospitals, schools, universities and retail accounts were the focus for expansion. After nearly 28 years with Echo Lake Foods, I retired early to be able to focus on other passions.

After years of supporting Never Say Never from the outside, I approached NSN and asked to join the board. Like all of us, I have a passion to see this project complete and help make dreams come true for so many people.

I enjoy spending time with my wife of 30+ years, our kids and grandchildren, with who I hang out with daily. My other interests include playing tennis, music, Vespas, worship team and enjoy participating in community events.  

~Scott

My name is Diane – or as our grandkids call me G-Ma. I am Secretary

for Never Say Never Inc., a non-profit that is near and dear to my

heart. My husband and I both grew up in Lake Villa IL and lived in the

area until we moved to a farm in Slade Corners in 1988. We have

three daughters and five granddaughters. We currently raise pigs

and have hens for eggs to sell.

I retired from Baxter Healthcare Corporation after 22+ years working

in the Clinical Affairs Dept managing the clinical trial records and

monitoring and processing agreement payments for the trials. While

working at Baxter I attended night school and received a BA degree

in Business Management and Communication.

Why do I support the endless efforts of Never Say Never, work behind

the scenes of fundraising, attend board meetings to bring awareness

of the playland? My why is from watching the excitement and belly

giggles our granddaughter with challenges would exhibit when her

cousins would swing on the tire swing in our yard. But not being able

to swing herself underscores the need to create play-spaces for

children of all abilities. A place that gives children equal footing to

play free of barriers that distract from learning about others and

accepting the distinction of individuals.

I cannot wait to feel the excitement and watch the community come

together when the time comes for the “community build”. To see

everyone work together to “own” the contribution they bring when

building this dream playland that started with the idea of just a

therapeutic swing and morphed into a 13,000 square foot playland.

~ Diane

I currently live in Lake Geneva Wisconsin with my wife of 20 years Vitalina and son Alexander. I am the owner of Midwest Action Cycle, Ride Lake Geneva and Lake Geneva Scooter Tours . All companies are located in Lake Geneva and specialize in motorcycle and scooter sales and experiences . I organize local not non-profit groups that include the Lake Geneva Film Club, Club Scoot Jockeys and The Geneva Lakes Whiskey Club that have over 2,500 members combined and all are continually growing. 

I founded my family's charity The Lindsey Fund of Geneva Lakes. This benefit started in 2021 and focuses on giving laughter and adventure to local children with special needs. 

I currently serve on the Visit Lake Geneva / Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 2020.

 I have a passion for food, spirits, music and all the cultures of the world. I am also an enthusiast for adventure and enjoy motorcycling, boating, scootering and traveling. I continually strive to improve the Geneva Lakes area to the very best of my abilities and know how special this community truly is.

~Sherm

Hi, I’m Jessica! I’m wife to Eric, mom to Lou, and a hospitality and real estate entrepreneur. We moved to Lake Geneva from Indiana in 2020 to be closer to family, and I couldn’t be happier to call Walworth County our home!

It is an honor to serve on the Board of Directors for the Never Say Never Playland. I have always loved driving our daughter to the inclusive playgrounds in surrounding counties, and was very excited to see the initiative to build one right here in Lake Geneva. As I followed along from a distance, I realized that skills from my past experience in fundraising, project planning, and communications could be beneficial to the playland. I’m excited to work alongside fellow board members in seeing this project to the finish line!

Moving to Wisconsin gave me the opportunity to dream up a new career, and my aspirations of owning and operating a vacation rental in Lake Geneva have become a reality! It has been a wonderful outlet for my passions in the areas of design, organization, and hospitality. In my spare time you’ll find me enjoying a local coffee shop, teaching elementary Sunday school at our church, or on a family outing to the petting farm, zoo, or a museum.

~Jessica