Meet The Board

---

Lauren  joined CIWSA in 2016 and has served on the Board in 2017-18, and since 2022. Lauren learned to sail as a child and cruised the East coast with her family when she was a teenager.  She takes on a her new role as Commodore, having served as Rear Commodore for the last 3 years.

Lauren is a teacher, Fairwind YC skipper, and ASA-certified Small Boat Sailing Instructor.  In the summer she volunteers her time with kids from the Boys and Girls Club to take them sailing on Fairwind Capri 14s in "The Pond" (behind Vons at Wooley and Victoria). Additionally, Lauren teaches sailing on small boats at Westlake YC. 

Denise joined CIWSA in 2020 (during COVID when CIWSA was sailing and Westlake YC was not).  Denise  has volunteered for  her 3rd year as CIWSA Vice Commodore.  She will be primarily working on shoreside activities, eg, finding speakers, videos, and field trips.    

Denise currently runs the Adult Sailing Program at WYC and has for the last 3 years introduced both new inexperienced and experienced sailors to the sport of lake sailing.  She often sails with Lauren. 

Michele Ackerman is a lifelong sailor and joined CIWSA in 2017, and was the CIWSA Director and Treasurer from 2020-24.  She takes on her new role as Rear Commodore in 2025.

Like Lauren, Michele is a teacher, Fairwind YC skipper, and ASA-certified Small Boat Sailing Instructor.  She also volunteers her time with kids from the Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, Michele mentors the instructors at Pacific Corinthian Youth Foundation's Summer Sailing Camp.