Meet Some of  the Fine Folks Behind the Scenes

Janice Allen

Board Trustee

Janice Allen is a Director at Lori's Voice. Janice Allen is an Emmy-nominated and award-winning journalist who joined the FOX 17 News team in July 2010. You can catch Janice anchoring FOX 17 News at 5pm, 6pm and 10pm. Since 2011, Janice has been the face of the Emmy award-winning FOX 17 franchise “Pay it Forward”, highlighting positive stories in West Michigan.

Janice met Lori Hastings while working on a Pay it Forward piece in 2012 and fell in love with Lori’s Voice and its mission. Over the years, she’s been involved with the annual Walk for the Challenged and is proud to share Lori’s Voice stories as the organization continues to grow and help families in West Michigan & beyond.Janice has always loved meeting new people and keeping up with current events. She graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Broadcast Journalism and Communication Studies.

Janice's work has been recognized by the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Indiana Broadcasters Association, Indiana Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists.

Janice is from Wheaton, IL a western suburb of Chicago, but spent part of her childhood living in Grand Rapids. In her spare time, Janice enjoys traveling, reading, working out and enjoying all Pure Michigan has to offer with her husband Antwan.

Last year, Janice took on a new role: “Mom”. Daughter Jolie Faith was born in July 2022.

​Lori Hastings is the Founder and Director Emeritus of Lori's Voice. Lori's love of children and reading has inspired her to write a book series using a voice activated computer. Each story has been written to encourage children to become the very best they can be. Lori hopes to touch the hearts of children and realizes the many challenges young people face when living with a disability. Living with a disability herself, Lori understands the medical needs that are not always covered by insurance. It is her goal to make a difference by assisting these precious children with the tools that will enhance their lives and let them be kids. Lori and her husband, Dave, have three adult children and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren.

Lori Hastings

Founder and Director Emeritus

Joanie Host

Board Trustee

Joanie Host is a Director at Lori's Voice. Joanie spent 22 years in education and absolutely loves working with children and their families.  Having raised a daughter with cerebral palsy she knows firsthand the joys and struggles families face. She has also worked as a coordinator for Mental Health of West Michigan with the BeNice program. Joanie is a Mindfulness Instructor through Grand Rapids Mindful Schools and has taught mindfulness to students' kindergarten through second grade. Her many experiences have taught her that when we work together, great things can happen which is why she is so excited to join Lori’s Voice. 

Duane Kluting is the Treasurer and a Director of Lori’s Voice.  Having known Lori her entire life, he has witnessed first hand her personal journey. Duane is a retired marketing/financial executive and CPA with many years of business and consulting experience. He serves on the Board of Directors of various companies and leads or is active in many organizations at his church and his grandchildren’s school. He has also chaired or served on committees for the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids and St. John’s Home and is currently a trustee and chairman of the Holy Spirit Parish Educational Foundation. Being blessed with healthy children and grandchildren has helped Duane realize there are many less fortunate families.  He believes Lori’s Voice is a wonderful way to directly influence the lives of children and families who have genuine needs.

Duane Kluting

Treasurer and Trustee

​Dr. Jena Krueger

Board Trustee

​Jena Krueger, MD, is a director of the board at Lori's voice and is also a-certified pediatric neurologist specializing in child neurology and epilepsy. Jena earned her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in East Lansing. She completed her pediatric and pediatrics neurology residencies and her clinical neurophysiology fellowship at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University. Her clinical interests include general neurology (including headaches, tics, developmental delay and genetic syndrome), pediatric seizures and epilepsy and pediatric neuromuscular disorders (including Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Muscular Dystrophy, and other neuromuscular disorders). Jena currently works as the head pediatric Doctor at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

Michelle Vlug is the Secretary and a Directory at Lori's Voice. Michelle worked for 30+ years in the Merchandising, Advertising and Foods Marketing areas for Meijer, Inc. She also volunteered at the small school her daughters went to, and later was a Coopersville Athletic Booster trustee and secretary while they were in high school. Growing up with a special needs sister has given her a firsthand experience on how involved the entire family is, as well as the struggles they face.

Michelle Vlug

Secretary and Trustee

Chris Weatherford

Board Trustee

Chris Weatherford is a Director at Lori's Voice. Chris is an IT Director at Fishbeck, an engineering firm in Cascade, where he has been working for 20 years.  When not working, Chris is spending time with his wife Jane and son Cameron. Chris first became aware of Lori's Voice through West Michigan Miracle League where his son plays baseball.

​Cameron was born with Cerebral Palsy which has left him dependent on a wheelchair. Chris has always been passionate about creating solutions to assist with Cam's physical needs.

Rachael Ruiz is a Host and Reporter on "eightWest" on WOOD TV. She helped launch the lifestyle and entertainment show in 2009. Before that, Rachael worked as an anchor and reporter at WOOD. She has also worked at television stations in the Flint/Saginaw and Lansing area markets. 

As a part of “eightWest,” Rachael continues her passion for storytelling but now focuses on topics like health, food, fitness, travel and local business. Some of her “eightWest” adventures involve hot-air ballooning, flying a plane, skydiving with the U.S. Army Golden Knights, and skating with the Grand Raggidy Roller Girls. Rachael also enjoys cooking alongside area chefs and showcasing restaurants on the show. She’s also logged lots of miles throughout Michigan, doing stories on unique destinations to visit.

Rachael enjoys being active outside... skiing, running, biking, hiking and boating. She has been a member of numerous West Michigan boards including the Grand Rapids Children's Museum, YWCA West Central Michigan and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. You can often find her lending support to local events, fundraisers and arts organizations.

Rachael was born and raised in West Michigan. She is married, and the proud mom of two daughters. She graduated with a journalism degree from Michigan State University, with an emphasis in political science.  

Rachael Ruiz

Board Trustee