Our Team

Cori Mander is the President of Cole’s Camp, mother of Cole, Payton, Ryan, and married to Brent Mander. Cori’s profession for the last decade has been in Project Management. Prior to this she served as a Branch Manager at a thriving bank for 17 years. Cori has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL. She uses her professional experience to bring efficiency and planning to bring forward success and awareness to Cole’s Camp as well as utilize her ability to handle many tasks at once. Cori is very involved with meeting the families who have experienced the loss of a child or loved one as well as planning and attending all in-person events. Cori’s purpose for supporting the vision of Cole’s Camp is so others will not feel alone on their grief journey and to share hope with other families.

Brent Mander is the Vice President of Cole’s Camp. He is the father to Ryan, Payton, and Cole and is married to Cori Mander.

“We created Cole’s Camp as we felt that more attention should be given to families grieving the loss of child or loved one.  As a father, it became important for me to continue Cole’s legacy by helping others who experience a similar loss and to make it okay for men to share emotions about their loss.”

Christina Pierce joined the Board of Directors as treasurer in January 2024. Christina is currently employed by KPMG LLP serving as a Director of Practice Operations supporting the Vice Chair of Audit. During her 20 years at the firm, she has held various roles in client service, campus recruiting and project management. Christina earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy and Masters of Accounting Science from Northern Illinois University.

Christina and Cori have been friends since childhood, and she is honored to serve on the board and support Cori, Brent and their family in this way. She believes in the mission and vision of Cole’s Camp, helping families through their grief journeys. For too long families have suffered through grief silently and often alone. Through the efforts of Cole Camp, families can be connected to resources and to a community who will support them and continue to give them hope.

Jodi Albers serves on the Board of Directors. Jodi works as a Senior Business Intelligence Data Analyst and has held this position for over eight years. Prior roles include Software Engineer, Business Analyst and Data Analyst. Jodi has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Management Information Systems and a degree in Marketing, from the University of Iowa. Jodi
uses her expertise to help guide Cole’s Camp with its internet and social media presence. She also created and now maintains the quarterly newsletter. Jodi is Cole’s aunt and is a sister to Cori. She joined the board to help support Cori, Brent and their family while honoring Cole. Jodi’s journey supporting Cole’s Camp has broaden her awareness of the importance of connecting with others that share a similar loss. This has provided more drive for Jodi to continue to support the organization’s vision which opens the doors for those meaningful connections.

Amy Haack serves on the Board of Directors. Amy works as a Regional Business Manager for a global dental company. Previous to this role, she was a Dental Implant Specialist for nearly a decade. Amy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Biomedical Science from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. She utilizes her experience with project management, allocating resources, partnering with external organizations and educational programming to move the mission of Cole’s Camp forward. Amy currently serves as Co-Chair of the Coletucky Derby, which is the main fundraiser for Cole’s Camp. She is Cole’s aunt and is a sister to Cori. Amy was originally driven to support Cole’s Camp to help Brent & Cori navigate the loss of Cole. After being involved with utilizing local resources, she realized the need to help other grieving families heal was very great and she could help on a larger scale through her involvement with this organization.

Lauren serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors. Lauren currently works in project management for an insurance company where she met Cori. Prior to her role in insurance, Lauren worked in operations and event planning for Arlington Park. Lauren graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. She utilizes her experience by bringing awareness to Cole’s Camp’s mission and events through social media along with maintaining accurate records of meetings, agendas, minutes, and official documents.

Lauren is committed to supporting Cole’s Camp’s mission and is grateful to contribute her skills and energy into the cause. She looks forward to bringing positive change in our community and beyond.

Megan Pecoraro-McCann is mom to Leonardo, Isabelle, and Tash and wife to both Ryan McCann and the late Joe Pecoraro. Widowed at 28 with two young kids (2.5 years old and 10 weeks old) Megan has since used her expertise as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to walk beside others in their own path(s) of grief. In the past ten years post loss, Megan has been certified as both a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Certified Grief Informed Professional. Megan works full time at BPS 101 as a school social worker and part time through two different mental health agencies running community outreach programs and a grief support group. She is excited to officially join Cole’s Camp’s Board of Directors after years of friendship with the Mander Family.