David LaCosse

Board President

Dave LaCosse joined Camp Fire Illinois as a Board Member in November of 2022. After 38 years in the corporate world, he felt it was time to give back for all the help he had been fortunate to receive from many talented people. As a volunteer coaching multiple youth sports with his daughter and son, he found that it was rewarding, and this set the stage for additional volunteering opportunities.

Initially, his focus at Camp Fire was on fundraising and leading the 2024 Spring Gala
Committee. In 2023, he accepted the Vice President role and became more involved
with strategic planning, setting goals, becoming a larger part of the community, and helping to build the organization for future long-term success. In addition, Camp Fire is an active member of the Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce and Dave serves on multiple committees, including a Workforce Development Group that mentors and provides education to Bolingbrook Middle School and High School students.

A small company executive experienced in all aspects of running a small business. 
Dave spent the last 17 years of his corporate career as Vice President of Sales & Marketing and a minority owner of Geo. T Schmidt, Inc., a small manufacturing company in Illinois. Prior to 2005, Dave served as an International Sales Manager, Field Sales Representative, and Customer Service Manager in the manufacturing industry.  For the past 10 years, he has been an advisory Board Member for Inplex Custom Extruders, a plastic extrusion manufacturing company in Naperville. Dave has been a SCORE Fox Valley volunteer since August of 2022. He provides mentorship advice to entrepreneurs and small business clients covering business plans, sales & marketing, strategic planning, human resources, and operations.

Elisabeth Siedentop-Wing

Vise President

Lisa grew up in a lively German household with her parents, two sisters, and a brother. German was her first language, and many of her earliest memories are filled with the sights and sounds of life in two cultures. Music was woven into their daily life—she learned piano, alto recorder, and harpsichord—which instilled in her discipline, patience, and a lifelong love of creative expression. Church life was equally important, and her faith deepened significantly during college and through meaningful experiences at Camp Sweyolakan.  

Lisa has dedicated her career to supporting children and families through both education and health services. Early on, she worked in a busy physician’s office in Illinois, managing administrative tasks, assisting with minor surgeries, hearing tests and patient coordination. Seeking broader clinical experience, she then traveled to Germany, where she became fluent in medical terminology in both English and German.  
Transitioning into education, she focused on early childhood and special education—areas where she has had the privilege of helping students reach their fullest potential. Her commitment to excellence earned her the honor of Teacher of the Year, and she's shared her insights as a speaker at regional teaching conferences.  
For over 40 years, Camp Fire has been a cornerstone of her personal and professional journey. Lisa began as a camper and later served on staff at Camp Tiyalaka in Wisconsin and Camp Sweyolakan in Washington State. In roles spanning program planning, youth leadership, and faith-based activities, she has guided countless young people to build confidence, character, and community.  
- 1979 Wo-He-Lo Medallion recipient (highest Camp Fire award)  
- President, Camp Fire Illinois Prairie (term concluded this year)  
- Vice President, Camp Fire Chicago Council & Inland Empire (WA State)  
- NASA-certified Program Leader  

Lisa is married and is proud to be a mother and grandmother. Her daughter is happily married, and she delights in watching her grandson grow. When she's not teaching or volunteering, you’ll find her outdoors—hiking forest trails, traveling to new destinations, or simply enjoying fresh air. I maintain an active lifestyle through pickleball, running club, swimming and general fitness workouts.