Josh Carr
Executive Director
Josh started his camping career in 1997 at Camp Foster on summer staff. This was followed by teaching in South Dakota, being a YMCA Program Director in Nebraska, and serving in our U.S. Military as a paratrooper. Josh has been back at Camp Foster YMCA as the executive director since 2008. Josh claims to be the luckiest man in the world. He gets to do the things that make him happy and calls it a career. Those things are based around serving others, providing children opportunities to learn in the greatest classroom setting available (the great outdoors!), and enjoying the variety that each new day brings working for the YMCA.
Valarie Hinrickson
Office Director
Val has lived in the lakes area since 2004. She resides with her husband, daughter, and many furry friends on an acreage outside of Spirit Lake. In her free time Val enjoys watching Kansas City Chiefs football, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. Val has been at Foster since 2011 and is ready to help you out with all of your camper questions.
Alex Brown
Property Manager
Alex grew up in southwestern Iowa and has visited the Iowa Great Lakes area since he was a kid. His professional experiences include various trade work for the past five years. His first experience with Camp Foster was as a summer camp counselor in 2021. He also worked at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan in Nashville, TN in 2022 as a member of the property maintenance team. He’s excited to be back at Camp Foster, and is committed to making a difference here for years to come. In his free time, you can find him spending time with his fiancé, Erin, and their pets, Cruz and Maple.
Mallory Wagner
Director of Overnight Camping
Mallory started her camp experience at Camp Hitaga as a youth. Motivated to give others the same camp experience, she obtained a degree in Leisure, Youth, and Human Services from the University of Northern Iowa in 2019. She kicked off her camp career at a YMCA in Michigan as the Summer Camp Program Director. Mallory loves getting outdoors with her family and friends. Playing no favorites to just one outdoor activity, you can often find her camping, hiking, or hunting. After cheering on the Hawkeyes, you can find her cuddled up on the couch with a good book and her cat Raleigh.
Madeline Look
Community Programs Director
Madeline is from Omaha, Nebraska and loves cheering for the Huskers! She was a camper at Camp Foster and eventually continued her journey as a camp counselor. From 2022 to 2024 she has held multiple leadership roles at camp. Maddie has strong connections with her friends and family and spends time with them whenever she can. In her free time, she enjoys doing various art projects and spending time in the outdoors. Camp has been a significant part of her life, and she is dedicated to providing the people she serves with the best experience possible.
Andrew Fisher
CEO
Andrew has been with the YMCA movement since 2005 when he began working for the Ottumwa Family YMCA in Ottumwa, IA. In 2007 Andrew joined the Bedell Family YMCA where he served the organization in various capacities until being named the CEO in December 2016. Andrew his wife Rachel and their daughter now enjoy spending time together enjoying the Iowa Great Lakes.
Kyle Struve
Communications Director
Kyle Struve is the Communications Director for the YMCA of the Okobojis. A native of Sheldon, Iowa, Kyle has been familiar with the lakes area his entire life. He received his B.A. in Graphic Communications from the University of Northern Iowa. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, as well as hunting and fishing.
Amanda Shaffer
Chief Financial Officer
Amanda moved to Okoboji from Omaha, NE, where she worked for 6 years in public accounting with Deloitte. She earned her BSBA and MPA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and holds an active CPA license. Originally from Sioux Falls, Amanda spent much of her childhood visiting family in the lakes area, so she is excited to be back full time as the Y’s Chief Financial Officer.
George Wigen
Human Resources Generalist
George Wigen is the Human Resources Generalist for the YMCA of the Okobojis. A native of Northwest Iowa, George has worked in Human Resources for over thirty years. He received his B.A. from Iowa State University. George presently resides in Estherville with his wife. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his grown children and grandchildren. He also enjoys hunting and fishing. George is excited to join the team.
Karissa Norine
Development Coordinator
Having relocated from North Liberty to Milford, Karissa brings experience in public relations, project management, marketing, and event planning to the Y team. A 2004 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and originally from Ringsted, she is honored to contribute her skills to the community. Her husband and two boys share in her enthusiasm for being in the lakes area and closer to family.