Barb Schultze has been a dedicated volunteer with OccuPaws for 18 years. Over the years, she has served the organization in several key roles, including puppy raiser, Vice President, and President.

A lifelong Wisconsin resident, Barb is deeply committed to helping blind and visually impaired individuals across the state gain access to high-quality guide dogs at no cost. Her passion for service and belief in OccuPaws’ mission have guided her leadership and long-standing involvement with the organization.

Looking ahead, Barb’s goal is to mentor and inspire the next generation of volunteers, ensuring a strong and sustainable future for OccuPaws.

Kris has been a volunteer with OccuPaws since 2013 when she was Worthy Grand Matron for the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoys raising and training but also enjoys helping with the medical concerns that may arise in a dog.

Kris has been the Medical Assistant instructor with Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore for the past 21 years and is also a Registered Nurse, working part-time with home care and hospice out of Upland Hills Health in Dodgeville.

She currently serves as the Vice-President and Puppy Committee Chair and looks forward to watching the dogs grow and work. Always remember to keep two paws up and put your best paw forward.

As Treasurer of OccuPaws Guide Dog Association, Kassel combines financial stewardship with a deep love for dogs, which serve as the heart of OccuPaws’ guide dog program. With a background in accounting, including a Master’s in Accounting from Edgewood College, and a full-time career as a tax accountant, she ensures that the organization’s resources are carefully managed so every Labrador puppy has the best start toward becoming a life-changing guide.

Beyond the numbers, Kassel is passionate about supporting the volunteers, puppy raisers, and trainers who nurture these remarkable dogs from playful pups into skilled partners.

She joined the Board after starting as a puppy raiser back in 2016 and is honored to play a role in helping more individuals who are blind or visually impaired gain independence through the loyal companionship of a guide dog. She has a large role to play after passing of Mark Schultze, OccuPaws Treasurer, who passed away in 2024.

Susan Elder has been a sitter and raiser for OccuPaws since 2019. She was elected to the Board of Directors in 2023 and elected Secretary in 2024. Susan retired in 2022 from Mirus Bio, a biotech company in Madison, after a 12-year tenure where she worked in Quality and Production. She also had 17-year career in the food and pharma industries. She earned her BS in Bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Susan’s volunteers at her faith community. Her husband and she live in Madison and have two grown children. She enjoys attending UW sports events and traveling in her spare time.

Kathy is a dedicated OccuPaws Guide Association Client Support representative working toward ensuring clients have consistent welcome and ongoing support through post-graduation phone follow up and hosting monthly client calls.

Kathy has leadership skills as a former manager in a large financial tech corporation which includes experience with a large team and several financial related audits. Kathy is an experienced guide dog user.

Paul Turinske is legally blind and members of his family are severely allergic to dogs, Paul was not seeking a Guide Dog until he learned that OccuPaws was placing Poodles in 2013 at a Foundation for Fighting Blindness VisionWalk.

Paul was matched up with his first Poodle guide dog, Tango, in 2015. As a result, Paul regained his confidence and independence for traveling for work and pleasure.

Paul was asked to be a member of the Client Advisory Committee in 2014, developing, participating, and later hosting monthly calls with clients. In 2016, Paul was appointed to the Board of Directors.

Paul has over 35 years of experience implementing entire computer networks and business software systems.

For OccuPaws, Paul has also contributed by converting paper forms to online forms, maintaining databases and reports, and providing other analyses.

Paul was matched with his second Poodle Guide Dog, Lincoln, in 2024.

Paul enjoys traveling with his family and has traveled with his Guide dogs to New York, Boston, Maine, Florida, Arizona, Hawaii, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and other states. Visiting such sights as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Boston’s Freedom Trail, the Smoky Mountains, and many more. His greatest adventure was a Hawaiian Cruise to Oahu, Maui, and Kauai, where he took many excursions to see the islands’ treasures.

Paul brings real-world client experiences to the board and is a vital component of the organization.

Jim has been a volunteer with OccuPaws since 2013 when he and his wife began to raise “Star”. He is active in the Masonic Lodge as a Mason and involved with the Order of the Eastern Star.

Jim has been an electrician for 35 years and enjoys working with electricity and watching the lights come on. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and handles all food-related tasks, especially grilling during brat season and making BBQ for the indoor vendor events throughout the year.

Ed Elder has been a sitter and raiser for OccuPaws since 2019 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2025. Dr. Elder retired in 2024 with Emeritus status from his role as Research Services Director at the UW School of Pharmacy following a 35-year career that was allocated between the biopharmaceutical industry and UW. He continues limited teaching appointments at UW and is also serving a fourth 5-year term (2025-2030) with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), which sets global pharmaceutical standards. Ed earned a BS in Pharmacy and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, both from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, SC.

Ed holds multiple volunteer roles with Scouting America, Glacier’s Edge Council, including serving as the Council Advancement Committee Chair since 2017. He is also active in his local faith community and is a Helping Hands volunteer with Appalachia Service Project, having been on twelve ASP mission trips to make homes warmer, safer and drier.

Ed and his wife live in Madison and have two grown children. They enjoy attending UW sporting events, especially Women’s Hockey and Volleyball, traveling, and visiting family and friends.

Jane has been a puppy raiser since 2019 and a member of the Puppy Committee since 2021. She volunteers at fund raisers and currently hosts a breeding female. She retired from non-profit work where she managed volunteers for large events and wrote marketing materials. She has a degree in journalism.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors brings together a diverse group of individuals committed to the long-term success and integrity of our organization. With a wide range of expertise and experience, each member plays a vital role in guiding our mission, ensuring responsible governance, and fostering strategic growth.

We are proud to work alongside such a dedicated and forward-thinking leadership team.

Barbara Schultze – President

Kristen Schoville – Vice President

Kassel Matushak – Treasurer

Susan Elder – Secretary

Kathy Ducat – Director

Paul Turinkse – Director

Jim Schoville – Director

Ed Elder – Director

Jane Cisler – Director