Geri Pawelski believes the League has a vital role to play in the ongoing work of empowering voters and defending Democracy, and she volunteers to help build and strengthen the League so that members can continue this important work. In addition, League service enables her to personally engage in politics and government in an effective way outside of a political party.

Geri joined the League in 2010 and served as president of LWV South Bend Area from 2013 to 2017. During  several years of service, she has taken on additional leadership roles and enjoys helping develop League programs and initiatitives. Geri has also served on the board of  LWV Indiana.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Oklahoma State University and a certificate in paralegal studies from Indiana University South Bend. She has worked as a paralegal, executive office administrator, technical writer, and publicist. Geri enjoys writing, volunteering in our community, gardening, and pampering two senior kitties.She has lived in St. Joseph County since 1988.

Dr. Elizabeth Bennion is Chancellor’s Professor of Political Science and Director of Community Engagement at Indiana University South Bend. Bennion holds a BA in American Studies from Smith College and an MA and PhD in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Bennion teaches American politics, with an emphasis on political behavior. She is the founding director of IUSB's American Democracy Project, Vice President for Voter Services for the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area, President of the Indiana Debate Commission, and host of WNIT's live weekly television program Politically Speaking. In these capacities, she moderates political discussions, public issue forums, and candidate debates for local, state, and national candidates. 

A nationally recognized expert on civic education and political engagement, Professor Bennion has won numerous local, state, and national awards for her community-engaged teaching, research and service, and has published widely in academic books, journals and newsletters. With over 80 publications, 200 invited presentations, and 600 media appearances, Dr. Bennion is committed to sharing her research and teaching beyond the classroom.

John Hagen
Treasurer

John R. Hagen was a private practice consultant to the health and human service system. He managed projects and conducted studies regarding regional health and human services; marketing studies; evaluation studies; strategic, organizational, role, and program planning; management information systems; and, specialized work in state policy development, regulation, and mental health and disabilities services.

In academia, he taught graduate-level courses on the U.S. health system, health care management, epidemiology and biostatistics, and specialized topics in the I.U. School of Public and Environmental Affairs. As a visiting professor at Skidmore College, he taught philosophy in areas ranging from introductory topics to advanced seminars in contemporary philosophy to majors and staff.

In the health planning arena, Hagen was variously director of research, planning & marketing with the Northern Indiana Health Systems Agency, Inc. in South Bend, Indiana, and later Vice President of research and operations with a consulting firm in Austin, Texas.

Hagen received his B.A. degree at Moorhead State University, an MBA at Indiana University South Bend, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin. He has been involved in the South Bend community as a volunteer board and committee member or pro bono consultant for the United Way, the Mental Health Association, Habitat for Humanity, the Area Agency on Aging, City Alliance of South Bend, Healthy Communities Initiative, the Michiana YMCA, the Community Forum for Economic Justice, and the League of Women Voters as a local and State board member and local and State Treasurer.

Beth North (formally Elizabeth Ann Batten North – Elizabeth A.B. North). Born in Latrobe, PA, 1956; Dad ran for Congress 1960; Mom member of League of Women Voters. 

Moved to Elkhart, IN 1966; graduated Elkhart Central HS 1974; graduated Indiana University Bloomington (Kelley) School of Business 1978; moved to Ohio first career position after graduating – Clinical Information Systems Representative – Ames Division, Miles Labs Inc. (which was already owned by Bayer as of the April before I joined July 10, 1978). Enjoyed 28 ½ year career in sales, domestic and global marketing primarily in the In Vitro Diabetes Care business. Traveled extensively and raised three children in parallel; continued career with smaller company in Ft. Lauderdale FL then startup company in Ann Arbor, then with current employer Force 5 (a marketing and advertising agency in South Bend); joined the League of Women Voters (finally!) in 2014. Was asked to join the BOD in December 2021. Have worked as a volunteer voter registrar at various events. MOST enjoy Lunch with the League! Beginning “glide-path to retirement” June 1… dropping back to working just two days a week for Force 5. Title is Director of Business Development. Have husband Ned of nearly 44 years; three grown children and six grandchildren ages 8 months to 7 years old.  

Marti Goodlad Heline has been on the LWV board for several years and is co-chair of the membership committee with Judy Bradford. 

Marti became involved with the League of Women Voters after 35 years as a newspaper reporter in Muncie and South Bend. Most of that time was with the South Bend Tribune covering courts, legal affairs and local government. 

She was attracted to LWV because it is nonpartisan and because of its important work registering and educating voters, sponsoring candidate forums, and advocating for issues to preserve citizens’ rights and open government. Marti served as nominations chair and joined the fundraising/Friend-raiser committee before her election to the board of directors. Her favorite League activity is registering new voters. She also has served as board secretary, worked on the Citizens Guide, and participated in school presentations and voter registration, Marti recommends attending League state meetings to understand the impact of LWV beyond the local chapter. 

Marti continues to work part-time as a lead event specialist at Sam's Club and occasionally freelance writes. She is president of the South Bend Press Club, for which she is a long-time board member. She and her husband Tom have two grown daughters: Laura, head athletic trainer at the University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, and Amy Slav, marketing director at Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions, Granger. Amy and her husband Jared are parents of 4-year-old grandson, Dominic

Marla Godette earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from The University of Michigan and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Central Michigan University. Marla is currently ABD (all but dissertation) toward her Doctorate degree in Global Leadership through Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, IN. Her education and professional experience have allowed Marla to travel to six of the seven continents and engage with all aspects of humanity in a beautiful way.

Marla provides professional development and training to organizations. She is an adjunct professor, an international conference speaker and presenter, a certified Life Purpose coach, a certified UC-Berkley Global Inclusivity Leader, a keynote speaker, and has become a sought after mental health and implicit bias educator.

Marla has been married for 29 years, has 3 sons, 4 godsons, 2 goddaughters, and 9 grandchildren. Faith, Family, Friends, and Fun are her jam! Welcome Marla Godette.

Aladean DeRose is a lawyer. Her mission has been to practice law for the betterment of society, helping one person at a time. 

Aladean graduated from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. with a major in languages and linguistics. She received her law degree from Indiana University’s Mauer School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana at a time when around 20% of her law class was female, and when women were around 5% of all lawyers in the U.S.A. 

Her early law practice was in the field of civil rights litigation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act addressing equal employment. This trial work led to Aladean’s career as a part-time attorney in the City of South Bend’s Legal Department for nearly 33 years. Early in her career, Aladean was president of the St. Joseph County Women’s Political Caucus, a bi-partisan issues-focused organization. She was also a president of the St. Joseph County Bar Association. She regularly volunteers her law services through the St. Joseph County Volunteer Lawyer Network. A former member/dancer of Southhold Dance Theater, Aladean appeared in several performances from 1978 to 1983, and served on its Board of Directors for several years.

As a member of the LWV,  Aladean  most enjoyed LWV’s voter registration events, especially the U.S. naturalization ceremonies and talking to students about the importance of voting. Without the vote, we would not have the laws that have increased the number of persons who can enter careers such as law which were once virtually closed to women.

Continuing to practice law, Aladean now handles mostly family law cases, along with wills and estates, and small real estate transactions.