EmployAbility: Employment and Housing Solutions
Meet the Talented Staff at EmployAbility
In 2014, Andrea founded EmployAbility initially connecting with a few clients in libraries, and has since built a flourishing company with an expanding team. With a background in social services dating back to 1999, Andrea discovered her passion for vocational rehabilitation after relocating to Madison in 2007. After earning her clinical social work license, she has also dedicated time to enhancing her psychotherapy skills, particularly in anger management and emotion regulation. In her leisure time, Andrea loves to spend time with her adult daughters, sail, do lindy hop and other swing-era dances, enjoy live music, and tackle home improvement projects.
Kaitlynn joined EmployAbility in the fall of 2023 with a passion for recognizing others for their strengths and connecting them with equitable resources to improve their quality of life. She provided behavioral therapy to children and young adults with disabilities for more than 4 years and still occasionally provides respite care. Kaitlynn graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Psychology from UW Madison and plans to pursue a master’s degree in the future—though she is still deciding which area of human service is the right fit. In her free time, Kaitlynn enjoys snuggling with her dachshund and two cats, playing Nintendo Switch games, watching reality competition and game shows, and spending time with friends and family.
Crystal graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work and a master’s degree in Educational Counseling, focusing on community mental health. Her professional experiences include assisting people in achieving individual affirming skills, maintaining independence, crisis stabilization services, supporting education around mental illness, effects of substance use, understanding housing systems in Dane County, and employment skills. Crystal works from a person-centered perspective with the understanding that we are the experts of our own lives, are unique, and of many characteristics, our lives intersect within areas of oppression and privilege, and we can benefit from the support of others. Crystal enjoys working as an Employment Specialist to assist others in achieving their vocational goals as it can increase connection, instill dignity, renew interests, bring passion, and support financial needs. Crystal additionally enjoys spending time with her two dogs and two cats, baking, and taking in the views of this precious planet.
Ciara has worked extensively in youth development and education, and is currently pursuing a masters degree in Counseling at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. She began her career as a music teacher in 2018, where she worked with students in elementary school through high school. After transitioning out of teaching in 2021, Ciara worked in the Madison-area as a college and career readiness program coordinator and advisor for high-school students. She is enthusiastic about working with young people and adults to find their voice and passions, while forging meaningful partnerships with schools, workplaces, families, and other communities of importance. In her free time, Ciara enjoys playing with her two cats, spending as much time outside as possible, reading, and crocheting cute animals.
Amy knew she wanted to study psychology from the age of 13 and she has not tired of it since! She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and has over thirty years of human service experience including vocational coaching and placement, skills development, wellness coaching, event planning, and training. She has a passion for inclusion and cultural sensitivity. She sees building self-awareness as a key life strategy for growth and wellbeing. In her spare time, she enjoys meditation, music, nature, writing, activism, and spending time with friends and family. Amy joined the EmployAbility team in the spring of 2024.
Alaina graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling through the University of Wisconsin - Superior. Alaina has worked in vocational and housing services since 2021 throughout Sauk, Dane, Jefferson, and Milwaukee Counties. Alaina is excited to work with the Employability team to help individuals gain independence and autonomy through skill development and employment opportunities. In her spare time Alaina enjoys reading, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and training/playing with her (soon to be) service dog, Freya.
Gabriel graduated from UW-Steven's Point with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. He is taking a break from education to assess what he wants to pursue as a specialty and hopes to obtain a PhD someday. Gabriel has worked a wide range of jobs and cultivated knowledge from all walks of life and loves to put that knowledge to work in helping people. In his free time, Gabriel enjoys making and listening to music, playing video games, and learning obscure lore of various fictional worlds and stories.
Tessa earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology at UW La Crosse. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in social work at UW Madison. Tessa hopes to obtain an LCSW and be a counselor one day. Tessa has worked with adults with disabilities teaching independence and activities of daily living. Tessa also has experience working with social workers within the healthcare system. In her free time, Tessa enjoys reading, cooking, thrift shopping, and spending time with her cat, Paul.
Michael is a former high school and middle school teacher, a math tutor, and, since 2020, a Certified Peer Specialist. He worked with peers in the Hotels to Housing program in 2021, providing empathetic support as they navigated the change of moving into their own apartments. He has over 25 years of lived experience as a person with a diagnosed mental health condition. He loves supporting peers and celebrating their successes as they courageously face mental health challenges. In his free time, Michael enjoys playing piano, solving and constructing crossword puzzles, and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Diana joined EmployAbility in January of 2018 after a three-year hiatus to care for her twin grandsons. Having worked at The Salvation Army prior to that, she knew that she was done with the corporate world and would prefer to work in a human services environment. She loves her position as Office Assistant that allows her to meet all of the fantastic consumers that pass through EmployAbility's door. She enjoys spending her spare time with her five grandchildren and taking long rides with her husband.
Ethan B - Office Clerk
Ethan is a lifelong Madisonian who joined the EmployAbility team during the summer of 2019. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from St. Norbert College in De Pere and enjoys service sector jobs. He also works as a Poll Worker and worked for several years in the theatre. Additionally, Ethan has volunteered in his church's nursery for almost a decade and typed up the church's bulletin for just as long. In his free time, Ethan enjoys drawing and writing.