Lori Franke Hopkins

Lori Franke-Hopkins is a professional coach, education specialist, and motivator at Be Just Me Consulting. She also serves as the president of Wrapped in Hearts, which promotes wellness, health, and happiness. Her passion project empowers individuals to take charge of their health and well-being by adopting a natural and holistic lifestyle. She hopes to inspire a movement toward a healthier and happier society through her advocacy.

Dr. Hopkins holds a B.S. in Speech Communication and English, an M.S. in Secondary English Education, and an Ed.S. in School Administration. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in May 2014.

Before beginning her academic career, Dr. Hopkins served in the United States Marine Corps, which she regards as her most significant professional achievement. She was stationed at the Marine Corps Detachment at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, where she completed the Military Police Academy. After graduating, she worked as a military police officer at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina. Following her honorable discharge, she took on various roles at the first riverboat casino in Illinois. She started as a security officer and progressed to the Alton Belle Casino's shift manager and loss prevention investigator. Additionally, she taught English, speech, and drama at Carrollton High School, coordinated the testing program at SIUE, directed teacher education and clinical placements at Blackburn College, and held several administrative positions within the Jersey CUSD No. 100 school district, including superintendent. Before establishing her consulting company, she was the state director for AdvancED/Cognia, the largest and oldest accreditor.

In addition to being an educational leader and business owner, she is also a musician. In 2004, she recorded an album titled "Sometimes" and is a member of the variety band Miles Station. Dr. Hopkins is also a published author of several books, including Transforming District Office Culture: One Strategy at a Time, I Want to Be Just Me, The Power of Positive Music, I Like, I Like, I Like, The Test, What is Veterans Day Anyway, and her memoir, Just Lori: A Memoir of an Ordinary Gal.

Lori resides in Shipman with her husband, Scott, and they have three daughters: Shayelle, Delani, and Korrie.