KALAMAZOO, MI - The Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association (KOHA) Board of Directors has elected Dianne Shaffer as its President, marking her the first female to hold that title in the association’s nearly 55 year history.

Shaffer has served on KOHA’s Board of Directors for about a year and a half, serving most recently as secretary. “I am very excited to be in the role of President of the Board of Directors so that I can support our awesome staff in providing the best hockey and youth development experience possible for our membership. I want our members to know they are a part of what makes KOHA great,” said Shaffer. “I am a little bit of a geek when it comes to process and procedure, so I am excited to work with the KOHA staff and Board to continue to develop infrastructure and strengthen our organizational capacity and community partnerships.”

A Kalamazoo native, Shaffer attended Connecticut College for her undergraduate degree where her best friend encouraged her to learn how to ice skate and play hockey. She returned to the area and obtained her Masters of Social Work from WMU in 1997. Shaffer has worked for Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (KCMHSAS) since November 2012, first as a Program Manager for Youth and Families and now as Director of Systems Development. Prior to KCMHSAS, Dianne was the Executive Director of Advocacy Services for Kids (ASK).

Hockey is a big part of the Shaffer family - both children (Samantha and Cameron) play for KOHA, and Dianne's husband, Kevin, not only plays, but was recently named Head Coach of KOHA’s 16U Lady K-Wings team.