Lauri Lee first brought her enthusiasm and skills to the Northside as advertising manager of the Northside News, a position she held for four years as she got to know all about Northside Pride. She went on to support the newspaper through ad sales and as a volunteer writer and proofreader.

She joined the Northside Planning Council (NPC) board in 2015 and now serves on the executive committee as secretary while also working with numerous NPC projects.

As a champion of business, Lauri sits on the board of the Madison Northside Business Association and was president for two years. Colin Murray, executive director of Dane Buy Local, called Lauri an unsung hero of the Northside, citing her diligence and hard work as one of the reasons she was nominated for a Dane Buy Local – Biz Award in the Business Expert category.

Lauri responds to needs wherever she sees them. She recently set up and ran an online auction to benefit the Sun Prairie explosion disaster relief fund, raising over $10,000. If there is an event to raise money, awareness or celebrate success, you are likely to see Lauri there, putting her artistic touch on set-up, welcoming guests and always seeing things through to the end.

Lauri also sits on the Mendota Community School Committee and has helped for four years in the Adopt-a-Teacher program for Door Creek Church. She deliciously shares her expertise in growing and cooking with herbs. Lauri is a Northside Changemaker in a very big way.