Renee is a 1987 graduate from LaSalle High School and was inducted into the Outstanding Alumni category. Among her many achievements, Renee has lived and worked in Haiti for the St. Joseph Family since 2002. The St. Joseph Family is an organization that ministers to the most vulnerable populations in Haiti — children of the street and children with disabilities. Two of the three homes, St. Joseph’s Home for Boys and Wings of Hope, were both destroyed in the January 12, 2010, earthquake. Renee, who works in communications and development, is now working to rebuild the facilities bigger and better than before. Renee's professional honors include multiple awards for photography and reporting from the National Newspaper Association, Iowa Associated Press Managing Editors, Iowa Newspaper Association, Minnesota Newspaper Association, Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, Minnesota Associated Press, and Iowa Press Women. Renee is also the author of the book Dèyè Mòn/Behind the Mountains, a photography and poetry book about her time spent in Haiti.