COMMUNITY CHAMPION

One of Beth Clemmensen’s earliest memories of Lake Forest is visiting from the western suburbs. “I would drive up with my mom to shop at Market Square,” says Clemmensen, a former Kraft marketing executive who is currently revamping the marketing curriculum as a professor at Lake Forest College. “We’d go to the Talbots store and grab lunch at The Lantern to make a day of it.” The impression of that bucolic downtown stayed with her. So, when she and husband, Christopher, were debating where to settle and raise their family 26 years ago, Lake Forest was back on her radar. “Shortly before we married, he took a job in brand marketing with SC Johnson in Racine, Wisconsin,” she explains. “I was working in brand marketing for Kraft Foods in Glenview. As we looked at a map, Lake Forest was a good midpoint between our jobs, and I remembered what a cute town it was.” Clemmensen says they loved raising their two boys, Connor and Andrew, in Lake Forest and being involved in their schools and activities. In addition to serving as room mom and numerous APT positions at both Deer Path Middle School and Cherokee Elementary, she was elected by the community to the District 67 School Board, where she served as the board Vice President and was a member of the executive board of the Lake Forest High School Foundation, where she helped to enhance their marketing. Today, Clemmensen continues to give back to the next generation of marketers at Lake Forest College. She is also a fierce advocate of the community. “The people in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff are the best! They are so willing to give of their time and talents,” she says, adding that the breadth of offerings in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff is second to none. “Think about everything we have right in our town. From Lake Forest Hospital and Lake Forest College to the beach, Gorton Center, CROYA, the Rec Center, Grove Cultural Campus, Ragdale, Lake Forest Open Lands, Elawa Farm … and that’s just to name a few. Each of these places provided my kids with amazing opportunities and experiences.” Here are a few more of her favorite things: What is your favorite restaurant in Lake Forest or Lake Bluff and what is your go-to order? The Gallery. We love that the menu changes with the art. What Chicago restaurant do you always go to when you’re in the city? RL. What hidden gems in the area do you recommend the most? One of my favorite local spots is La Plancha Loca in Highwood. Their street tacos are the best! I also love Smith’s Men’s store. What is one thing most people don’t know about Lake Forest College? Students come from all over the U.S. and 80 different countries. There are almost 1,800 students on campus and about one-third are students of color and 18 percent are international. Additionally, many of our students are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and are first generation college students. Last TV show you binged? The Chosen and Ted Lasso. Favorite brand to follow? Studio McGee and Magnolia Home are favorite decorating brands, but I also find lots of cool “unknown” decorators on Pinterest. Favorite ad campaign? Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. It fundamentally changed how women looked at the beauty industry and themselves. Three books that have influenced you? The Bible. I did Community Bible Study in Lake Forest for 20 years and it was life changing. Second would be Ultra-Prevention by Dr. Mark Hyman and third would be The Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. What do you listen to on your Airpods? My son made me a Lollapalooza Apple playlist with my favorite songs from attending Lolla over several years. I also like The Doctor’s Farmacy podcast with Dr. Mark Hyman Beauty products you can’t live without? Beautycounter’s Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream (any product that I can see results after one use is a keeper) and their Beyond Gloss in Peony (it’s the perfect shade of pink). What’s on your bucket list for 2024? I want to start by channeling my inner Marie Kondo and getting rid of stuff. We have a lot of things to be “thanking for their service” as we sort through my in-laws’ things and our own clutter! Favorite influencers/accounts to follow on social media? Joanna Gaines, Studio McGee, The Home Edit, HGTV, the Rambling Redhead, Mind Body Green, Natural Nurse Mom, Dr. Mark Hyman, and Whole 30. Celebrity you’d like to have dinner with? Malcolm Gladwell. I love his books.