WonderLab is excited to welcome Jonelle Gross as a new member of the museum’s Board of Directors.

Jonelle Gross Operations Manager and a Project Manager at Loren Wood Builders in Bloomington, Indiana

Jonelle Gross Operations Manager and a Project Manager at Loren Wood Builders in Bloomington, Indiana

Jonelle is the Operations Manager and a Project Manager at Loren Wood Builders here in Bloomington, Indiana. Originally from Northwest Ohio, she graduated from Trine University in Angola, Indiana and soon after came to Bloomington for work. “We had no idea that this was where life was going to take us,” said Jonelle, “but now that we’ve been here, we don’t see us going anywhere else.”

As a child, Jonelle always had an interest in science. She was intrigued about how things worked and how things were put together. Some of Jonelle’s best memories are about taking trips to the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio. Her exposure to COSI was crucial to her journey with science. According to Jonelle, early exposure to science is important for children. “The earlier kids get involved with science, the earlier it gets them thinking about the world,” said Jonelle, “it helps them grow and encourages them to become good citizens.” Growing up in a very loving and supportive environment, Jonelle was pushed to be proactive about her goals and dreams, eventually pursuing a career in a field she loved. “I went to school for Design Engineering,” said Jonelle. “I had a really great environment as a kid where I was encouraged to make a path for my career choice.”

As a strong business local who also has experience in STEM/engineering, Jonelle was the ideal candidate for this organization. “With all of the big facility projects coming up at the museum, it is important to have representation in the building and trades industry,” says WonderLab Executive Director, Karen Jepson-Innes. “I’m excited to see how Jonelle’s experience and skill set in systems and operations management can apply to WonderLab’s big projects for the coming years.”

During COVID-19, Jonelle realized that she missed connecting with her community. She wanted to volunteer for an organization that aligned with her interests and background as well as provided opportunities for community-building. WonderLab was the perfect place. “We’re really fortunate to have something like WonderLab in a town as small as ours,” Jonelle said. “We should come together as a community to continue to help WonderLab flourish. I hope to help the organization continue to be a shining star.”