Our Current Board Members
Lance Ryskamp
President
Lance Ryskamp is a Founding Board member, past Vice President and current President of the Highland Community Foundation. Born and raised in Highland, he is a 1979 graduate of Highland High School, as well as a 1983 and 1986 graduate of Valparaiso University and Valparaiso University School of Law. Besides his years of work on the Highland Community Foundation, he also served the Town of Highland in various capacities, including as a past Highland Town Councilman, past Lake County Councilman and currently, as the Highland Redevelopment Commission Assistant. He and his wife, Sue, have three step-children, each of whom is a Highland High School graduate.
Judy Vaughn
Vice President
Judy Vaughn has been a resident of Highland since 1963, is married with 3 adult children, and is employed by the Town of Highland, Public Works Dept. and Highland Police Dept. for a combined 39 years of service to the Community. She is currently a member of the Highland Community Foundation Board and serves as Vice President; a member of the Highland Elks Lodge #981; and is honored to have receive the Best of Highland Civil Servant Award presented by the Highland Chamber of Commerce in 2014. In 2007-08 Judy served on the Highland Leadership Council. She was a member of the Council of Community Events for 25 years and served as President. During that time, she spearheaded the first fireworks display for New Year’s Eve at Main Square. Jusy was also a member and served as President of the Highland Indiana Region Model A Club.
Dawn Diamantopoulos
Secretary
Jim Dal Santo
Treasurer
Cheryl Nicksic
Board Member
Cheryl Nicksic has lived in Highland since 1974. She has a passion for the town and has raised 2 children here and now has 5 grandchildren. Cheryl works in sales and marketing and those led her to form an interest in Highland Community Foundation and then a desire to join the board. She enjoys walking around town and visiting with friends. Cheryl plans to continue her work with HCF to improve Highland and it’s beautification.
Julie Larson
Board Member
Julie Larson has lived in Highland for 18 years and serves as the current secretary for Highland Community Foundation. She is committed to bringing the arts and literary education to the community. Julie also serves on the Highland Main Street Committee Board of Directors, helping to bring attention to the downtown corridor with art installations and community festivals. She is married with two beautiful children, both who have attended Highland schools. Julie obtained her B.A in English Literature and education certification from Purdue Northwest, and is currently pursuing her M.A. in English while working as an ELL Paraprofessional at Highland Middle School.
Robert Plantz
Board Member
Robert Plantz is a current Highland resident and Attorney admitted to practice in the year 2000. He is the President and CEO of the law firm Robert A. Plantz & Associates which is located in Merrillville. Married to Vanessa Plantz with a son Alexzander who attends Our Lady of Grace School in Highland, he has been involved in Youth Soccer and Basketball in Highland for more than 15 years.
Robert graduated in 1996 from Purdue University (West Lafayette) and graduated from Valparaiso Law School in 1999. He is President and a Board Member of the Our Lady of Grace Advisory Board as well as active in the Lake County Bar Association, IN Bar Association, American Bar Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Calumet Inns of Court. Robert has also been admitted to practice law in the Indiana Supreme Court and Federal Courts of the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
Mary Wells
Board Member
Mary Wells has spent her entire career working with children and in the arts. She studied at Lincoln College and Columbia College, worked in ECE and as a nanny in Chicago, before moving to Highland nine years ago. Over the years Mary has switched mediums several times, but has continued to draw from the joy of children as her inspiration. Mary has volunteered at a few not-for-profits in Chicago, assisted in starting a Community Garden in her beloved Rogers Park, and served on the Highland Main Street Bureau for 3 years
Doug Van Ramshorst
Board Member
Doug Van Ramshorst has been working in social services for 17 years (Emmaus Ministries in Chicago and Regional Mental Health in Hammond). He is very interested in showcasing the artistic talent in NW Indiana. Doug has played in several bands over the years and swears that he “will get back to it” when he has a little more time. Doug has volunteered on many committees including The United Way’s UFF Education Committee and the Governing Membership Committee for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
Help Improve Our Community
The Highland Community Foundation is working to improve the Quality of Life of our town. Quality of Life is vital to the well being of a community and its residents. Through our work, we are looking to help make Highland the best it can be, so it will remain a wonderful place to live, work, play, visit and do business.