THE WI-AIMH VISION:

All Wisconsin infants and young children will reach their fullest potential through nurturing and consistent relationships within the context of family, community, and culture.

 
 

Team WI-AIMH

People are arranged alphabetically by first name from left to right in each row. Click on a person’s name to read their bio.

Alexandra Vazquez Vargas

Southeast Office Coordinator & HMHC Referral Specialist
avazquezvargas@wiaimh.org

Anne Konen

Professional Development Manager
akonen@wiaimh.org

Arielle Rall

Personnel &
Operations Lead

arall@wiaimh.org

Beth Smetana

Tribal Mental Health Consultant
bsmetana@wiaimh.org


Carrie Finkbiner

Quality Improvement & Professional Development Director
cfinkbiner@wiaimh.org

Christina Davis

Professional Development Coordinator
cdavis@wiaimh.org

Corey Robak-Klein

IECMH Consultation Program Manager
crobak-klein@wiaimh.org

Dawn Dean

Travel & Logistics Coordinator
ddean@wiaimh.org

Delechia Johnson

Outreach and Training Lead
djohnson@wiaimh.org

Emily Ewoldt

Pyramid Model Lead
eewoldt@wiaimh.org


Jenny Durand

Pyramid Model Co-Director
jdurand@wiaimh.org

Julie Betchkal

Pyramid Model Co-Director
jbetchkal@wiaimh.org

Kathleen Magin

Director of Operations
kmagin@wiaimh.org

Kenya Evans

Communications & Outreach Coordinator
kevans@wiaimh.org

Kris Barnekow

Continuous Quality Improvement Lead
kbarnekow@wiaimh.org


Martha Stolp

IECMH Consultation Mentor
mstolp@wiaimh.org

Sarah Bruhn

Project Coordinator, Quality Improvement & Professional Development
sbruhn@wiaimh.org

Sheila Dunlap

Operations Manager
sdunlap@wiaimh.org


 

Lana Shklyar Nenide, Executive Director
Lana joined WI-AIMH in 2006 to oversee professional development efforts of the agency, including state implementation of the Pyramid Model. She is now responsible for leading the agency in achieving its mission and priorities. Lana holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin where she received specialized training in infant-parent mental health. Prior to joining WI-AIMH, Lana worked as a research specialist with the UW Twin Laboratories, where she evaluated infant and toddler social emotional development and coded behavioral data for the Genetics of Emotional Otogeny Project. Lana is a member of the Fussy Baby Network and provides training on the FAN framework. Lana is faculty at Wisconsin Infant, Early Childhood and Family Mental Health Capstone Certificate Program and holds Infant Mental Health Endorsement. In 2016, Lana was selected for the prestigious ZERO to THREE Fellowship.

Abby Taylor, Data Manager

Abby Taylor has been teaching and conducting research related to early childhood special education and the Pyramid Model over the last 15 years. She has been a teacher in inclusive toddler and preschool early childhood settings and a coach to teachers and childcare programs supporting implementation of the Pyramid Model and other evidence-based practices. She has conducted research projects related to adapting peer-mediated interventions for children with internalizing behaviors, social problem-solving, and coaching throughout her time at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She has presented her work at multiple national early childhood conferences yearly, and continues to publish research and practitioner articles and book chapters related to her work.

Abby’s passion is supporting teachers and programs to use data and high leverage practices to promote social emotional development, provide targeted support, and ensure each and every child and family has the support they need. Abby’s passion for supporting those who support young children is motivated by her experiences in the classroom, and her journey learning to support and advocate for her three children who each have individual social emotional and developmental needs of their own. In moving back to Wisconsin after 19 years, Abby is excited spend more time with family and explore the great outdoors that the state has to offer.

Alexandra Vazquez Vargas, Southeast Office Coordinator & HMHC Referral Specialist

Alexandra is the Southeast Office Coordinator and Referral Specialist for HMHC. Alexandra was born in Bayamon Puerto Rico and at the age of six her family moved to Milwaukee WI. She graduated with a Medical Assistant degree in 2014. At the beginning of her career she was impacted, working for a low income clinic that helped patients who did not have access to health insurance, this experience shaped her into wanting to help people in need. Though very new to the early childhood community Alexandra feels a strong pull to help bring awareness in Infant mental health and building a better world for all children to blossom in.

In her free time Alexandra loves to spend time with her family and create memories with her three beautiful children. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and visiting her family in PR.

Anne Konen, Professional Development Manger

Anne is the Professional Development Manger for Healthy Minds Healthy Children. She has a graduate degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago and in child development from the Erikson Institute. Anne has 20 years of experience in the areas of child welfare, early intervention, family support, and early childhood education. Anne was an early childhood mental health consultant in Chicago for over ten years. She worked directly with child care providers, center staff, and home-based family child care providers, to promote and support social-emotional development, understand behaviors and developmental needs of children, and prevent challenging behavior in young children ages birth to five years old. Most recently she was a workforce development manager with an early childhood mental health consultant initiative in Illinois where she supported the onboarding and professional development of mental health consultants across the state. Anne is excited to be part of the WI-AIMH team and sees it as an honor to work alongside like-minded people who “get” the world of infant and early childhood mental health.

Arielle Rall, Personnel & Operations Lead

Arielle serves as the Operations Team Lead and is based out of the Middleton office. Growing up all over the country, she moved to Madison for college and never left! She graduated from UW-Madison in 2020 with her B.S. in Community/Nonprofit Leadership and a certificate in Entrepreneurship. While in college, she interned with several local nonprofits and was a part of an anti-trafficking agency, where she was deeply impacted by the stories of young children in different social welfare systems and the lasting effects of trauma (and healing!) throughout their lives. She grew up with family members who were well-versed in the foster care and social work spheres, and from a young age, wanted to be able to contribute to helping the systems and people impacted. Arielle is passionate about equity and social justice in Wisconsin, and wants to see people of all ages have the resources to be the healthiest, best versions of themselves.

When she isn’t working, Arielle loves to garden and spend time with her two fluffy cats. She loves visiting the local arts and makers spheres, and being involved in the creative community around her.

Ashley Bowers, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Director
Ashley has worked with children and families for 15+ years, initially as a Parenting Specialist and subsequently as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Mental Health Consultant while providing clinical supervision and post-graduate instruction. Since joining WI-AIMH in January 2019, she has served as a trainer, reflective supervisor, I/ECMHC, Endorsement Coordinator and program manager. She has a wealth of direct service experience balanced with administrative expertise in program development, coordination and management. She finds great value in partnering with adults working with and on behalf of young children and families to support children’s social and emotional development. Ashley earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and certificate in Child and Adolescent Studies from UW-Milwaukee, her graduate degree in Counseling from Marquette University and a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from the COAMFTE accredited Family Therapy Training Institute. She also holds Endorsement® as an Infant Family Specialist.  

Beth Smetana, Tribal Mental Health Consultant

Beth joined WI-AIMH in February of 2024 as an Infant Mental Health Consultant for Tribal Nations. As a social worker with over 30 years of experience in a variety of settings, Beth has worked with treatment foster care, AODA treatment in a correctional setting, Indian Child Welfare, behavioral health, and with frail elders and adults with disabilities. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from UW- Madison, and is a licensed clinical social worker. She lived in Cidra, Puerto Rico for two years and worked as a VISTA volunteer. Additionally, she has 13 years of experience in leadership, having supervised multiple units at Jackson County Department of Health and Human Services, and serving as agency director for four years. She also is a trainer who loves connecting with others around topics of interest.

Beth lives in Jackson County, teaches and practices yoga in her time outside of work, and loves speaking Spanish whenever she gets the chance.

Carrie Finkbiner, Quality Improvement & Professional Development Director

Carrie has been working with children, families, and organizations for over 20 years. Carrie is passionate about supporting professionals and organizations in doing their best work. She has experience in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI); developing and coordinating projects; providing clinical mental health treatment; and developing, delivering, and coordinating professional development. At WI-AIMH Carrie will serve as the Quality Improvement and Professional Development Director. In this role she will lead the strategic direction for CQI and workforce development and ensure WI-AIMH programs and professional development are well integrated and coordinated across the agency. Carrie earned her graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University and her undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science and Law from the University of WI-Madison.  In 2022 she completed the UW-Madison Infant, Early Childhood and Family Capstone Certificate Program. Carrie is a state trainer in the Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) framework and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Wisconsin. She holds IMH-Endorsement® as an Infant Mental Health Mentor at the Policy designation. 

Christina Davis, Professional Development Coordinator

Christina is our Professional Development Coordinator and has had the pleasure of working with children and families for the last 14 years. Christina believes deeply that every child deserves unconditional positive regard and equitable access to learn and thrive in a positive environment. Christina earned a double Bachelor’s Degree in both Social Welfare and Spanish from UW-Madison in 2015. After graduating, Christina worked as an After-School Site Supervisor, Day Camp Director, and a Head Start Director- serving hundreds of families and cultivating relationships with those families and community members. During her time as a Director, Christina honed her skills as an Early Education Professional- providing thoughtful reflective coaching to support classroom dynamics, collaborating with other skilled professionals to coordinate effective trainings for professional development with a focus o the importance of offering unconditional positive regard to all children and families. Christina also successfully led her centers through several accreditation processes- including YoungStar and the National Accreditation Association.

Christina is very passionate about living out her values of collaboration with others, transparency, and advocating for equity and safety for all.

Corey Robak-Klein, IECMH Program Manager

Corey is a bilingual and multicultural mental health professional who has been working with children and families for over 15 years; she began her career as a Wraparound REACH Care Coordinator followed by a 2-year service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in a small fishing town in Ecuador. Upon return to the United States, Corey enrolled in a clinical psychology graduate program where she worked with survivors of sexual violence, refugees, and spent a summer in Nepal working with young children who were at risk for exploitation. Most recently, Corey spent seven years with a large health care organization where she became a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, working in Early Head Start, Head Start, and elementary schools in the Milwaukee area providing mental health consultation. She then took on additional duties as a program coordinator and then director of a therapist training program.  

Corey holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, Music, and Sociology from St. Norbert College, a graduate degree in International Disaster Psychology from the University of Denver, and a postgraduate certificate program in marriage and family therapy from the Family Therapy Training Institute. Corey is an Approved Supervisor Candidate through AAMFT. She also has completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in 2022. Corey has studied Spanish for over 20 years and has enjoyed working with Latinx populations in every position she has held in her career.

Dawn Dean, Travel & Logistics Coordinator

Dawn is originally from the Milwaukee area, but moved to the Chippewa Valley in 1999. After starting her career in administration directly out of high school, she enjoyed a break to become a stay-at-home Mom to her 2 children. Once her youngest entered preschool, she went to Chippewa Valley Technical College and completed the accounting certification program. She entered the hospitality industry in 2015, where she resumed her career in administration and management.

In her free time, Dawn enjoys travelling, especially when  she gets her “now adult” children to join her.

Delechia Johnson, Outreach and Training Lead

Delechia has 29 years of extensive training and professional experience in the field of early care and education as a master trainer in the state. She has worked in the field in various roles from a volunteer, director, educational coordinator, mentor, instructional coach, teacher and consultant. She is a professional who has been recognized as effective and impactful by her colleagues the ECE community. Delechia has established positive relationships over the years with many of the early care and education programs through providing training and consultation for many of those programs in the Milwaukee and outlying counties. Delechia received her Master’s of Science in Early Childhood from Erikson Institute in 2018.

Emily Ewoldt, Pyramid Model Regional Lead, Southern Region

Emily Ewoldt brings 25 years of experience in the early childhood field. She has a degree in elementary education and a minor in early childhood. Emily also earned a master’s degree in education from UW-La Crosse. Emily has been in many roles throughout her early childhood career which include, multiple teaching positions for infants to children age 12, center director for child care centers, supervisor of multiple 4K sites, early childhood specialist and in her most recent role Emily was an Environment Rating Scale Observer. Emily cares deeply about helping to create social emotional connections for all children and their caregivers.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 teenage children.

Golshan Motamedi, Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Golshan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist currently serving as an Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant for HMHC. Before obtaining her clinical graduate degree as an MFT, Golshan spent 15 years providing childcare as a Day Camp Counselor, Primary Caregiver for Infant-K4 classrooms, and nanny. Golshan was also previously certified through the Wisconsin Child Care Registry while obtaining her BS in Psychology with a clinical concentration, helping build a foundational bridge between Golshan’s two passions: mental health and child development.

Golshan has experience working for a local non-profit in Dane Co. as a mental health professional, specializing in providing wrap-around mental health services for children and families impacted by trauma, and in a clinical group private-practice setting. Golshan is certified in Level One TheraPlay and TF-CBT, and has extensive experience working collaboratively with children, families, and systems who have been impacted by COVID-19, foster care, adoption, immigration, medical trauma, domestic violence, substance abuse, generational trauma, neurodiversity, burnout, and anxiety related to life transitions and global anxieties. Golshan has experience with facilitating brief trauma informed/focused SEL school-based groups, such as Bounce Back, CBITS and FACE-KIDS, client advocacy, as well as experience with crisis work and stabilization through Dane Co’s Rapid Response Program. In relation to her experiences with Dane Co’s Early Childhood Zones program, attending client IEPs, and consultation experience through Dane Co’s CORE program, Golshan has a deep appreciation for collaborative, reflective work that highlights the importance of respecting individual difference, and the power of supported systems.

Jenny Durand, Pyramid Model Co-Director and Pyramid Model Lead, Southern Region

Jenny co-directs Pyramid Model and serves as lead in the southern region. Prior to working at WI-AIMH she worked at a Child Care Center as their Curriculum Coordinator and Internal Pyramid Model Coach and Data Coordinator. During that time, she also was active in committees to implement the Pyramid Model across the child care sites in the district. Jenny received a BA in History from UW, Madison her teaching certification in social studies for grades 6-12 from Edgewood College. She continued on to receive her MA in Education and completed the Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health Capstone program at UW-Madison. She has worked with children for 16 years in various programs.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children.

Julie Betchkal, Pyramid Model Co-Director

Julie brings 37 years of supporting children, families and teachers in public school education - as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher, a Lead Teacher, and as an Early Childhood Program Support Teacher in Northwest Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education- Intellectual Disabilities. In 2005, Julie was asked to join a list of train-the-trainers for the “The Pyramid Model for Social and Emotional Competence." The content, strategies and ideals were a perfect fit for her personal and professional philosophy. After 5 years of training others, Julie went on to co-coordinate Wisconsin’s efforts. Julie continues to serve as the State Coordinator for Wisconsin’s implementation of the Pyramid Model for Social Emotional Competence. A fifth-generation Wisconsinite, Julie is proud, humbled and inspired by the trainers, coaches, leaders, teachers, facilitators and families who are working to ensure Wisconsin is a better place to be a small child.

Kathie Magin, Director of Operations
Kathie is the Director of Operations at Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health, where she works to promote the development of young children’s social emotional skills, especially as it relates to their interactions with their primary caregivers and within the context of their communities. Kathie has worked with young children and their families for more than twenty years in a variety of direct service and supervisory positions. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a secondary focus in Interdisciplinary Family Studies from William and Mary, and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Vanderbilt University. Her professional experience includes teaching and consulting in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education; Head Start teaching, family advocacy, and home visiting; and work with children and families in community preschools, domestic violence shelters, and social service agencies. 

Kenya Evans, Communications & Outreach Coordinator

Kenya is a Milwaukee-based communications professional with more than 13 years of experience in content writing, marketing and journalism, severing both in for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Throughout her career in creative content strategy and multi-media storytelling, she’s primarily worked with purpose-driven organizations that focused on creating a positive impact within underserved communities, closing equity gaps, and promoting a better quality of life for marginalized populations. Kenya is a proud graduate of UW-Milwaukee with a B.A. in English, and a world traveler with experience in teaching internationally in South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Colombia.

When she’s not helping organizations increase brand awareness and engagement, or reach marketing goals, she enjoys catching outdoor yoga classes, gallery-gazing at museums and finding the best brunch spots for French toast or shrimp and grits.

Kris Barnekow, Continuous Quality Improvement Lead

Kris serves as Continuous Quality Improvement Lead at WI-AIMH and is Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). She received a baccalaureate degree in Occupational Therapy from UWM, a master’s of science degree in Human Learning and Development from UWM and a doctorate of philosophy in the Therapeutic Science track, Department of Kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The focus of her doctoral dissertation was maternal-infant attunement, and this research was guided by Kraemer’s Psychobiological Attachment Theory where she focused on infant capacities that fostered attunement with their mother. 

While completing her doctoral work, Kris served children and families in Wisconsin’s Birth to Three Program. Because of her work with Dr. Kraemer, Kris understood the significant role relationships play during early development. She and Dr. Kraemer, co-authored a paper in 2005 that outlined Psychobiological Attachment Theory as a frame of reference for pediatric occupational and physical therapists who serve children and families in early intervention settings. Since then, Kris has integrated an early childhood mental health approach in her research, teaching and service. Kris holds Infant Mental Health Endorsement in Wisconsin and is committed to work that enhances the lives of young children and their families. 

Lisa Garlie, Pyramid Model Regional Lead, Southeast Region

Lisa has been in the Early Childhood profession for 20+ years. She has held multiple positions in the Early Childhood profession including Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher, Administrative Assistant, Instructional Coach, and Education Manager. In her most recent job, she had the opportunity to deepen her understanding of the Head-Start Performance Standards and the State of Wisconsin’s Licensing Regulations. Her skills include looking at data to see what the next steps could/should be in programming, collaboration with other identities inside and outside of an organization, the ability to see the global parts to a situation when making decisions, building a team and the importance of having a team, time management/organization and many others.

Marlow Fowlkes-Ware, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Mentor (IECM,HC)

Marlow is an IECMHC Mentor for the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health (WI-AIMH).  She joins the WI-AIMH team with over 30 years of direct experience working with children and families. Before starting with WI-AIMH in February 2023, Marlow worked for Aurora Family Services, Milwaukee Mental Health Consultants, and brings more than seven years of experience working as a Reflective Practice Mental Health Consultant and Marriage and Family Therapist. In her early career, she worked in a variety of direct service positions at agencies such as the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Sensitive Crimes Unit of Victim Services - Office of the District Attorney, Kids Matter Inc., and the Milwaukee County Mobile Urgent Treatment Team (MUTT). Her expertise involves working with children and families impacted by crime, violence, and trauma.

Marlow is a Milwaukee native, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Marquette University and her Master’s Degree in Social work from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She also received her postgraduate Marriage and Family Therapy certificate from the Family Therapy Training Institute in Wisconsin, a COAMFTE-accredited program. Marlow values family. She is most passionate about supporting, educating, and helping caregivers expand their capacity to think reflectively about their work and their relationships with children and families. 

When she is not working, she enjoys time spent with her husband, children, and extended family.

Martha Stolp, IECMH Consultation Mentor

Martha Stolp has been working with children and families for the last 15 years. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and currently works primarily as Mental Health Consultant for Early Childhood, birth through age 5. Martha obtained her Bachelor’s degree Human Development and Family Studies, Child development and Education, in 2010 from University of Missouri. She worked as a preschool teacher and nanny while obtaining her degree and continued to do so while obtaining her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UW-Stout in 2016. She worked as a Child and Family Therapist at Children’s Wisconsin, specializing in working with young children and trauma, as well as Mental Health Consultant for Head Start, until 2022 when she opened her own practice. Since her practice opened in 2022, she has primarily worked as a Mental Health Consultant for various early childhood programs in her immediate and surrounding communities. Martha is passionate about advocating for children, families and early childhood staff. She values relationships, connectedness and play! Her mission is to help grow healthy connections in families, schools and communities through fun, creative and reflective space.

She is a mother of two beautiful and silly girls as well as two very fluffy Golden retrievers. Her family enjoys playing at the beach, movie nights and visiting extended family. Martha hopes to integrate mental health in fun creative ways into her own community as she grows her work in the filed of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.

Rachel Siegersma, Pyramid Model Regional Lead, Northwest Region

Rachel brings over 22 years of experience in the Early Childhood field. She has worked both as a 4K teacher and Early Childhood Special Education teacher in public schools as well as running a Family Child Care when her children were young.  In recent years, Rachel has worked as a home visitor and a Young Star quality coach, becoming Pyramid Model trainer and Program-wide External Coach. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education, a Master’s degree in Special Education, and has earned her Early Childhood Special Education certificate. She holds Infant Mental Health Endorsement. Rachel’s passion of Pyramid Model comes from her experience using and implementing Pyramid Model in her classroom. She is drawn to the children who challenge us and has first-hand experience with the impact of implementing Pyramid Model.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time with her three children and finding time to be in nature.

Sarah Bruhn, Project Coordinator, Quality Improvement & Professional Development

Sarah Bruhn was an early childhood educator for 14 years before joining WI-AIMH as a Project Coordinator in Quality Improvement and Professional Development. She has worked extensively with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families in a variety of preschool settings, including in university-based lab schools and as a Montessori guide. Sarah earned both her BS in Child Development with a minor in Psychology and a MS in Applied Family & Child Studies with a certificate in Women’s Studies from Northern Illinois University. She is awed by the capability and inherent curiosity of young children. She seeks to promote conditions that empower IMH professionals, families, and young children to find meaning as they connect and grow in their relationships. Sarah is grateful that her career pivot out of the classroom has brought her to WI-AIMH. She is inspired by this organization of dedicated professionals.

Sheila Dunlap, Operations Manager

Sheila was born and raised in the Chippewa Valley and Lincoln County. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship from UW-Eau Claire. Growing up in a split family taught her many things, especially the importance of mental health and wellness in early childhood. Sheila has always considered early positive relationships in her life to be a major contributing factor to her battle with mental illness. Sheila has a diverse professional experience concentrated in customer service, restaurant management, business administration, and healthcare. Working for a non-profit organization to help improve the lives of future generations has always been her calling.

Tina Ruckdashel, Pyramid Model Regional Lead, Northeast Region

Tina supports Wisconsin Pyramid Model trainers, coaches and program wide implementing sites. She collaborates with state and local leaders to provide community level awareness and strategic planning for a coordinated and comprehensive multi-leveled system of support to ensure social and emotional competence of young children. Prior to joining the WI-AIMH team, Tina worked as a preschool teacher for almost 10 years in New London, Wisconsin. She joined the UW-Oshkosh Head Start team as a center director in 2009 where she continued on as the Education Disabilities Manager, and in 2016 she became the Social Emotional Development Specialist. In her time with Head Start, she enjoyed coaching teachers in Pyramid Model practices, training staff in various education topics, and was also a trainer in Non Violent Crisis Intervention, and developing and implementing behavior plans for some students. She is excited to continue to impact the health and well-being of children and families.