Julie LaFore

Board President

Familiar with the Northwoods after years of camping with family in Boulder Junction, my introduction to Clearwater in 1984 was as a kitchen helper with Pearl Hove and her famous Sunday Coffee Cake. After immediately falling in love with all aspects of camp, I returned the following year in the kitchen and continued on as a stable assistant and counselor, including roles as Head of the Cape and Head Counselor.

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a degree in Public Relations but unexpectedly fell in love with business, holding positions with several international companies including Starbucks, where I was proud to be recognized by then CEO and Chairman Howard Shultz for coordinating regional volunteer efforts. My passion for coffee then led me to Italy where I trained in Parma and Milan to launch an authentic Italian cafe in the shadows of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Today I still share my love for the kitchen as a broker and product specialist for an Italian food distributor, working closely with our in-house chefs and sales team representing several national brands. I’m back to the barn these days as well as a riding instructor at a therapeutic riding barn and at a hunter jumper barn helping people connect in such a special way with horses. Each May and at select races throughout the IndyCar season you can find me at the race track working with my favorite race car team, and through that connection I’ve become part of the cheering squad for an up-and-coming female jockey racing at Thoroughbred tracks in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.

A long-time family camp attendee with my nieces, Clearwater was foundational to who I am today so I am both honored and thrilled to be able to help ensure Clearwater Camp for Girls continues to inspire and impact others for generations to come.