Leila Ahvarhoush
With nearly two decades of experience in creating & planning events, development, consulting, and project management, Leila Ahvarhoush is a seasoned professional dedicated to creating impactful experiences. Throughout her career, she has played an essential role on planning committees for major fundraisers, wedding shows, and various events, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to excellence.
Leila's passion for making a difference continues to be a significant part of her career and is evident in her ability to execute memorable experiences through signature fundraisers.
Leila moved back to Lawrence from California 16 years ago. She is actively involved in the community and proud to be on the board of Limestone School, a growing institution that positively impacts the future of education for the community.
Currently, Leila is the Event Specialist for the Chancellor's Office at the University of Kansas.
Leila's passion for making a difference continues to be a significant part of her career and is evident in her ability to execute memorable experiences through signature fundraisers.
Leila moved back to Lawrence from California 16 years ago. She is actively involved in the community and proud to be on the board of Limestone School, a growing institution that positively impacts the future of education for the community.
Currently, Leila is the Event Specialist for the Chancellor's Office at the University of Kansas.
Eliza Darmon
Intuitive, entrepreneurial, and a creative problem solver at heart, I bring a people-centered approach to everything I do. A Kansan through and through, I earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas and began my career in the nonprofit sector. I served in the Peace Corps in Suriname, S.A., and later held leadership roles in marketing, development, and as Co-Executive Director at Van Go, Inc.
The daughter of two educators and a mother to two daughters myself, I deeply value experiential learning and a strong sense of adventure — both personally and professionally. I am guided by the words of Margaret Mead: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."
The daughter of two educators and a mother to two daughters myself, I deeply value experiential learning and a strong sense of adventure — both personally and professionally. I am guided by the words of Margaret Mead: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."
Emily Gullickson
Emily Gullickson is the proud daughter of an educator. When she was younger, one of her dreams was teaching kindergarten, and has always been deeply connected to education. She has taught college-aged students since 2009, as well as one year as a Preschool teacher in a Spanish-Immersion classroom at a Reggio Emilia school.
She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in Spanish and International Studies. She holds Master’s degrees in Spanish and Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Throughout her 13+ years in higher education, Emily worked in roles that specifically focused on DEI initiatives, social justice, program development, teaching & curriculum, grant writing, academic outreach & retention. She currently serves as the Head of Programs and Strategy for the national non-profit, The Sadie Collective. Emily and her family have lived in Lawrence since 2015, and are delighted to be a part of the important community that is Limestone.
She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in Spanish and International Studies. She holds Master’s degrees in Spanish and Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Throughout her 13+ years in higher education, Emily worked in roles that specifically focused on DEI initiatives, social justice, program development, teaching & curriculum, grant writing, academic outreach & retention. She currently serves as the Head of Programs and Strategy for the national non-profit, The Sadie Collective. Emily and her family have lived in Lawrence since 2015, and are delighted to be a part of the important community that is Limestone.
Madeline Herrera
Madeline Herrera grew up in the midwest and has wanted to be an educator since she was 12 years old. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from KU School of Education. Her Masters degree is in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, an area she became passionate about at a young age. Madeline is known for her high level of student engagement and strong classroom culture. She credits these close bonds to dynamic project-based learning units she designs with current students in mind. Collaboration with professionals in areas outside of education is standard practice for her as she creates her units of study. She has taught in both elementary and middle school settings, rural and urban, as a classroom teacher as well as an English Language Acquisition Specialist.
Karen A. Jorgensen
Karen A. Jorgensen joined the Lawrence community and the KU School of Education and Human Sciences faculty in August, 2005. As a constructivist, student-centered educator, Karen has taught all elementary grade levels in multi-grade classrooms at an inquiry-based elementary school in Minnesota. Karen is also a language educator and staff member for 17 summers with the Concordia Language Villages. Karen’s areas of advocacy and passion include equity- and social justice-based education, identifying and supporting areas of strength and those for instruction and practice in literacy, and using research and pedagogy together to inform instructional decision-making.
Karen A. Jorgensen earned her B.A. in Elementary Education and Scandinavian Studies from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Karen’s master’s degree work was completed at Høgskolen i Hamar (Norway) in the areas of Norwegian linguistics, literature and language. Her Ph.D. in the dual program areas of literacy education and second languages and cultures education was conferred by the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. As a Teaching Professor at KU, Karen prepares undergraduate elementary preservice teachers to teach literacy and instructs online master’s degree courses for reading specialists in grades PK – 12+.
Karen A. Jorgensen earned her B.A. in Elementary Education and Scandinavian Studies from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Karen’s master’s degree work was completed at Høgskolen i Hamar (Norway) in the areas of Norwegian linguistics, literature and language. Her Ph.D. in the dual program areas of literacy education and second languages and cultures education was conferred by the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. As a Teaching Professor at KU, Karen prepares undergraduate elementary preservice teachers to teach literacy and instructs online master’s degree courses for reading specialists in grades PK – 12+.
Jenny Trucano Muller
Jenny Trucano Muller has dedicated her career to inspiring people to care for nature and to helping nonprofits excel. She’s amazed at how Limestone students engage with and advocate for the natural world and feels extremely fortunate her family has been part of the Limestone community since the first year.
Jenny is the Director of Finance and Operations for The Nature Conservancy in Kansas and Nebraska and holds an MBA from UCLA. She and her husband Keith also own Cycle Works, a bicycle shop, in Lawrence.
Jenny is the Director of Finance and Operations for The Nature Conservancy in Kansas and Nebraska and holds an MBA from UCLA. She and her husband Keith also own Cycle Works, a bicycle shop, in Lawrence.
Do you have a passion for helping kids in our community? Are you an expert at networking or fundraising? We would love for you to consider joining our board of directors! Please contact madeline@limestoneschool.com with any questions or to set up an informational meeting and tour.