Khailyn Schaefer – Candidate for Regional Advocate 2025 – Great Lakes

Note: This is a candidate page for a Judge Foundry Election. Information on this page is provided by the candidate, and does not represent the opinions or positions of the Elections Committee or of Judge Foundry. For more information about this election, see the schedule and index for the Elections at the 2025 Annual Meeting.

Nomination Statement

My name is Khailyn Schaefer, and I am a Level 3 Judge with Judge Foundry. I have been an active member of the Great Lakes Region for over 12 years and have had the honor of serving as the region’s Regional Advocate for the past year. Our region is one of collaboration, resilience, and growth, and I am running for re-election because I want to continue fostering a strong, supportive, and connected judge community.

Over the past year, I’ve worked to strengthen the Great Lakes Region through focused mentorship, certification, and community-building efforts. I’ve certified over a dozen new Level 1 judges, hosted two successful regional conferences, and established stronger relationships between local judges and the Nerd Rage Gaming Tournament Series, creating new paths for event involvement and growth. I’ve also mentored judges from every state in our region, helping them set goals, build confidence, and take on new responsibilities.

One challenge we’ve faced is uneven regional involvement—particularly in Michigan and Illinois. In response, I’ve connected with key L2+ judges in those states to form mentoring hubs and have focused on identifying Area Communicators to represent and support judges locally. These efforts are helping create more reliable support structures and accessible leadership pipelines throughout the region.

I’m especially proud of the momentum we’ve built. Our regional Discord server has grown rapidly to nearly 100 members, creating a vibrant and supportive space for communication, questions, and camaraderie. Our regional conferences have also given judges meaningful opportunities to grow, learn, and sharpen their skills—both as event staff and as community leaders.

Looking ahead, I want to continue building a regional culture rooted in involvement, inclusivity, and meaningful feedback. My goal is for every judge in the Great Lakes Region—regardless of experience level or event frequency—to feel welcomed, supported, and connected to something bigger than themselves.

A key part of this vision is empowering Area Communicators to become confident, independent leaders. I aim to provide them with the tools, guidance, and structure they need to succeed, while also giving them the trust and space to support their local communities in their own voice. I plan to hold regularly scheduled check-ins and foster open feedback opportunities across multiple channels to ensure that judges have clear, accessible avenues to express ideas, raise concerns, and shape the future of our region.

I also want to increase AC involvement in the planning and execution of regional conferences, ensuring they have leadership opportunities and a stake in the content we deliver. Over the next year, I plan to help organize four regional conferences—one per quarter—to provide regular professional development. I want to support a growth in Level 2 certifications, expand engagement in our regional Discord and communications, and establish at least two active ACs per state.

Finally, I want to see more local game stores supported by certified judges for their RCQs. I will continue working with judges and TOs to create those connections, advocate for new opportunities, and make our region more visible and valuable at the local level. This role is about lifting others up, and I am committed to continuing that work every step of the way.

It has been a privilege to serve the Great Lakes Region as Regional Advocate, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together. But there’s still more to build, more to connect, and more to learn. I’m running for re-election because I believe in this community and in the power of regional leadership to uplift, empower, and inspire judges at every level.

I promise to continue listening carefully, acting thoughtfully, and supporting our judges with transparency, respect, and care. Thank you for the opportunity to serve—and thank you for considering my nomination.

Q1: Judge Program Direction

Question: This year, many members are uncertain about our future due to Wizards of the Coast’s announcement of a new Judge Program Manager role. How will you support your region through this uncertainty and potential transition?

I feel both excited and curious about this period of change. While uncertainty can feel unsettling, I believe it also opens the door to new opportunities and fresh ways of thinking that can strengthen our community.

As Regional Advocate, I will focus on routine, transparent communication to keep judges informed about developments and decisions as they unfold. I want to create multiple avenues for feedback—whether through surveys, open forums, or casual discussions—so members feel heard and involved in shaping our future.

A core priority will be nurturing our local gatherings and mentorship hubs. These spaces foster connection, trust, and support, which are vital when larger organizational changes occur. By preserving and building on our institutional knowledge and empowering experienced judges to mentor others, we can maintain community stability and resilience.

I will also serve as an advocate and mediator between our region and higher leadership, ensuring that the concerns, ideas, and needs of our judges are effectively communicated and addressed during this transition.

Ultimately, our actions must be grounded in service to the community. I will actively seek feedback from knowledgeable and experienced individuals throughout the region to ensure our key steps reflect collective wisdom and the best interests of all members.

Q2: Local Judges and Judging

Question: As a Regional Advocate, how will you support local judges and encourage local judging in your region?

I have actively worked to increase awareness of the Nerd Rage Gaming (NRG) Tournament Series, giving local judges more opportunities to gain experience at medium and large events. I’ve collaborated with mentors and mentees across each state in the Great Lakes Region to establish realistic goals and build personal connections that strengthen our community.

I often serve as a neutral party in conversations between Local Game Stores (LGSs) and judges, helping facilitate understanding and partnerships. Additionally, I’ve developed resources tailored to judges in our region to support their growth and event readiness.

Looking ahead, my primary goal is to encourage more stores to establish RCQ events, which provide judges with critical experience at Competitive REL levels. I plan to increase communication with stores to better understand their current practices and help them recognize the value of having certified judges, both for enhancing player experience and ensuring smooth tournament operations.

While our Level 1 judge population has grown steadily, I’m focused on expanding our Level 2 judge base, as these judges are the foundation for mentorship, certification, and sustaining local judging communities. By fostering these efforts, I aim to create more opportunities for judges to thrive locally and grow into future leaders.

Q3: Programs and Projects

Question: How do you plan to use Conferences and other major projects like Exemplar or this year’s Review Competition to support and grow your region?

During my tenure as Regional Advocate, I’ve hosted two regional conferences, marking a proud re-introduction of this important tradition. While I hoped to host more, I’m pleased with the foundation we’ve built. Moving forward, I plan to continue using conferences as a key platform to certify judge candidates to Level 1. Additionally, I want to organize conferences focused specifically on Level 1 to Level 2 advancement, providing targeted support for judges looking to grow their skills and leadership.

Projects like Exemplar and this year’s Review Competition are exactly what the judge community needs. Recognizing and encouraging judges and staff for their contributions—often done without incentive—these initiatives provide valuable motivation and foster a culture of appreciation. They complement conferences perfectly by giving judges tangible ways to engage, connect, and build a stronger community.

In our region, I want to integrate these projects more closely with the Nerd Rage Gaming (NRG) Tournament Series. When judging at NRG events, I plan to be intentional about reminding judges in person about these opportunities. This purposeful promotion will help judges engage more deeply, feel more connected, and ultimately contribute to growing and strengthening our regional community.