Lakeland lands community leader to forge partnerships
Lakeland University has named Christine Loose, a well-known community leader with a lengthy track record of successes, its director of strategic partnerships.
Loose is a seasoned hospitality, strategic, operations and customer service leader and skilled relationship builder who has led teams at multiple locations with multiple functions.
She will lead Lakeland’s external engagement efforts, driving the development, management and expansion of strategic partnerships with industry, nonprofit and educational organizations.
“We are fortunate to welcome Christine to our team,” said Lakeland President Beth Borgen. “She has numerous relationships in the region that perfectly complement the work we’ve already done and the growth we have planned.
“Christine will be instrumental in enhancing our educational programming, experiential learning and Cooperative Education opportunities and, ultimately, overall institutional growth. She will be an important bridge between Lakeland and the region, relaying community needs and insights and how those present program opportunities for Lakeland and career opportunities for our students.”
Loose worked for over 20 years at Kohler Co. She was responsible for all Kohler Lodging in Wisconsin and St. Andrews Scotland, food and beverage, Kohler Waters Spas, Kohler Fitness businesses and a variety of other functions including group and leisure sales, revenue management, special events and central reservations.
She led teams which won numerous awards, including Forbes Five Stars and AAA Five Diamond for The American Club, Forbes Five Stars at the Kohler Waters Spa and Five Red Stars at the Old Course Hotel.
“I am very excited to be joining Lakeland University,” Loose said. “The university's history of educating and preparing students of all ages for success is truly remarkable.”
Loose is no stranger to higher education. After her work at Kohler, she spent 18 months as executive director of the Lakeshore College Foundation, helping grow the school’s endowment and donor bases while leading all fundraising efforts. She has also served eight years on the Board of Trustees at her alma mater, St. Norbert College, and previously served on the Silver Lake College board.
She comes to Lakeland from Safe Harbor of Sheboygan County, Inc., where she has been serving a short-term role as vice president-development.
Along with her professional work, Loose is a leader in the community. She is president of the Sheboygan County United Board of Directors, spend six years with the Sheboygan Service Club, including club president, and was a board member of the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce.
Loose has a master of business administration with a marketing emphasis from DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a communications minor from St. Norbert. She also has completed other leadership and management certificate programs.
