Board of Directors
rcboard@redcaboosechildcare.org
Aaron Stephenson
Board President
I am a Red Caboose parent of two children, a daughter in the preschool program, and son who has participated in the school age program. In my professional life, I work with the US Geological Survey as a Senior Developer and Solutions Architect. In my free time, I enjoy reading, getting outdoors to hike and canoe, and attempting to become a decent cook. I am excited about the future of Red Caboose as we continue our work of serving children and families in Madison.
Colin Stroud
Board Vice President
I was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. My family and I found out about Red Caboose when we moved back from Washington D.C. I am grateful that we found such a vibrant, diverse, and loving environment for our two children and that I get to be part of this vital organization. In my professional life, I work as an attorney focusing primarily on civil rights.
Cindy Gillis
Board Treasurer
I grew up in Stevens Point, but have called the Madison area home for over 30 years. I currently work for UW-Madison, but my previous employer is an accounting firm specializing in non-profits. That is how I became involved with Red Caboose as I did their monthly accounting. Their staff and mission inspired me to join the Board.
Phil O’Leary
Board Secretary
I currently operate my family farm in Rock County Wisconsin and am an emeritus University of Wisconsin-Madison engineering professor. I am an agricultural and environmental engineer. As Engineering Professional Development chair, I coordinated outreach programs across a wide range of engineering disciplines. I also created and directed, Camp Badger Engineering Summer Program, a large middle school experiential leaning initiative.
KC Gilbertson
Board Member
I have a social work degree and have been working with children and families for many years including as a Site Supervisor and Camp Director with Red Caboose since 2008.
Cheryl Heiman
Board Member
I have been a teacher with Red Caboose since 1974 and have been the Lead Teacher in the Turtle Room for most of those years. Things have changed over the years, but our commitment to providing exceptional care and early childhood education continues.
Kris Moelter
Board Member
I have been part of the Madison community for over 20 years. My community work revolves around strengthening families and trying to make our systems more equitable and inclusive, including serving as a peacemaker with the Dane County Community Restorative Court, and being a member of the Community Response Team and Dane County Timebank.
Robby Schiller
Board Member
I worked at Red Caboose for many years and wish to continue to contribute to the success of this organization that I love and that has done so much for me. I feel as if I will be a valuable resource and contributor and bring a unique perspective to the table. I hope to focus on events, piloting new programs, and engaging with the greater Madison community as well as learn from the other members of the Board.
Leadership Team
Jason Anderson
Executive Consultant
director@redcaboosechildcare.org
My career has been dedicated to creating the conditions that support the social and emotional development of children through quality child care, after school programs and summer camps.
Lisa Fiala
Project Administrator
I have been with Red Caboose for many years in various roles including School Age Program Director, Executive Director and now Project Administrator. I am excited to be working on Red Caboose’s new facility project and our New Tracks Capital Campaign to make it happen.
Wendy Rakower
Director Emeritus
emeritus@redcaboosechildcare.org
I served as the Executive Director at Red Caboose for many years. I am grateful to continue to support Red Caboose’s development efforts.
Ashlee Causey
Preschool Program Director, Board Member (non-voting)
I’m excited to join the Red Caboose Family! I’ve worked in Early Childhood Education for the past 11 years as a teacher. I’m originally from Southern California and received my Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Fresno State. I’ve always been passionate about working with children, families, and colleagues who share that same passion. I believe in order to create a safe and fun space for children to flourish, staff must feel the same! This is the environment I hope to cultivate with all of you!
School-Age Program Director, Board Member (non-voting)
school.age@redcaboosechildcare.org
I am the School Age Program Director. I have been working with school age children since 2005. In 2012 I earned a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. I was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Romania.
Administrative Team
Jennifer Roughen
Billing Coordinator
Billing: billing@redcaboosechildcare.org
Joining the administrative team at Red Caboose is an opportunity to combine my accounting experience and my child care experience. I am also utilizing my childcare nutrition experience to support our Nutrition Program. I am looking forward to working with and supporting all of our Red Caboose families.
Beth Feeney
Enrollment Coordinator
sapenroll@redcaboosechildcare.org
I am a Madison native who recently moved back from Los Angeles with my daughter. I have a degree in Secondary Education from UW-Whitewater, and have been working with youth of all ages for over 12 years in various capacities and regions of the country, including Brooklyn, NY and San Diego, CA.
Nutrition Program
Kaylidh Gunnon
Nutrition Coordinator
My family and I relocated to Madison from Colorado high country. I have been in the culinary industry for over 10 years and am a professionally trained chef with specialties in French and wellness cuisine. I’m excited to merge my cooking career with being a mother and cooking at Red Caboose while growing with this community.
Preschool Program Teams
Turtle Room Team
Cheryl Heiman
Turtle Room (11-24 mo.) Lead Teacher, Board Member
turtles@redcaboosechildcare.org
I have been a teacher with Red Caboose since 1974 and have been the Lead Teacher in the Turtle Room for most of those years. Things have changed over the years, but our commitment to providing exceptional care and early childhood education continues.
Kathy Barkus
Turtle Room (11-24 mo.) Teacher
I have over 25 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. I am fortunate to have worked with a vast and diverse population of children over the years. I earned an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and graduated with high academic honors.
Morgan Cutler
Turtle Room (11-24 mo.) Teacher
I have been working in the early childcare field for a few years. I recently graduated from Madison College with an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. A couple of years ago I got recommended to come and work at Red Caboose, and I have been here ever since.
Elephant Room Team
Katie Draeving
Elephant Room (2-3 yrs.) Lead Teacher
elephants@redcaboosechildcare.org
I have been working with children for over 20 years and have been with Red Caboose since 2015. I enjoy craft projects and hobbies like sewing.
Kristi Cherry
Elephant Room (2-3 yrs.) Teacher
I have more than 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and started at Red Caboose in 2019. I live in Evansville with my dog and two cats. I have an associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology and love football, especially the Green Bay Packers.
Ida Brown
Elephant Room (2-3 yrs.) Teacher
I have been working with children in an early childhood education setting for five years. I like to interact and play with the children both indoors and outdoors. I was born in Milwaukee, and grew up in Madison. I love Red Caboose! I am excited to be part of a team where everybody is so warm and welcoming.
Bumblebee Room Team
Heidi Schaaf
Bumblebee Room (3-4 yrs.) Lead Teacher
bumblebees@redcaboosechildcare.org
I have been in the field since 1999 and started at Red Caboose in 2002. In 2007, I left to spend time raising a child and worked at another center here in Madison. I returned to Red Caboose in June of 2020. I continue to study Early Childhood Education (ECE) at UW Milwaukee’s School of Education, where I most recently earned the Leadership Credential.
Jane McCarthy
Bumblebee Room (3-4 yrs.) Teacher
I have fifteen years of experience as a stay-at-home mother of four and ten years of experience working with children in a childcare program within a health and fitness center. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and hold a Wisconsin Preschool Lead Teacher certification. I am excited to be part of the team at Red Caboose and work with the children in the Bumblebee classroom.
New Bumblebee Teacher Announcement Coming Soon!
Grasshopper Room Team
Kassi Woods-Rodriguez
Grasshopper Room (4-5 yrs.) Lead Teacher
grasshoppers@redcaboosechildcare.org
I grew up in Puerto Rico and am a bilingual Spanish/English speaker. I have worked as a nanny and in childcare settings. I started at Red Caboose as a Float Teacher so I had an opportunity to work with all of the children and staff at the center. I am certified as a Lead Preschool Teacher and am thrilled to lead the team of teachers in the Grasshopper Room.
Leigh Szuch
Grasshopper Room (4-5 yrs.) Teacher
I have been an early childhood educator for over twenty-eight years! For seventeen of those years I was a Teacher in the Grasshopper Room here at Red Caboose and am very excited to return. Every day there are new things to discover about this world, inside the classroom and outside. I get to really know each child in my care, mostly by using my sense of humor, knowledge of art, and by really listening to the kids. There’s no other job like it, and nowhere I’d rather be!
Jamie Cunningham
Float Teacher, Nutrition Assistant, Grasshopper Interim Teacher
I have worked in child care settings for two years. I work with children to help influence and guide them into successful adults in the future. I’m looking forward to creating relationships and connections with the children and families. Children experience a range of emotions and I look forward to helping them learn to express them.
New 4K Teacher Announcement Coming Soon!
School Age Program Teams
Lapham After School Program Team
Sydney Warwood
Lapham After School Site Supervisor
lapham@redcaboosechildcare.org
I have been part of Red Caboose since 2018. I am most proud of the variety of my work with kids for the past 8 years, ranging from lead teacher at an accredited daycare to substitute teaching at all grade levels. I earned a Bachelors in Education from University of Montana-Missoula, and happy to be living in Madison now! My mission as a supervisor and in my work with kids is to treat everyone with respect and care, and to ensure that everyone is included and celebrated in our community.
Freida Escamilla
Lapham After School Assistant Teacher
I started working the the children and families at Red Caboose back in November of 2021. This is my first position working with school age children and Red Caboose is a great place to learn new skills from the experienced staff here.
Meghan Prudlow
Lapham After School Substitute
I am a Sophomore at UW Madison studying Elementary Education and Education Studies. I worked in child care for the last year. I did two years of classroom placements, and spent three summers working as a camp counselor. I am very excited to get to know all of our students this year.
Haley Roughen
Lapham After School Teacher, AM Center Float Teacher
I am excited to join the team at Red Caboose and work with the students at Lapham. I have completed Assistant Teacher early childhood coursework and worked with children for one year at a childcare center in Deforest where I grew up.
Alyssa Wolf
Lapham After School Teacher
One of my favorite things about working with children is being able to watch them grow and blossom. I look forward to assisting with that growth and supporting this development through play. I have experience working with children in many settings including summer camps, nannying, volunteering with individuals with multiple abilities, and supporting children in a hospital setting. I am currently working towards my master’s degree in Child Life at Edgewood College with the intent of becoming a Child Life Specialist.
Annika Becker
Lapham After School Teacher
Bio coming soon!
Marquette After School Program Team
Beth Feeney
Marquette After School Site Supervisor
I am a Madison native who recently moved back from Los Angeles with my daughter. I have a degree in Secondary Education from UW-Whitewater, and have been working with youth of all ages for over 12 years in various capacities and regions of the country, including Brooklyn, NY and San Diego, CA.
Ciara Nash
Marquette After School Assistant Site Supervisor
I have been with Red Caboose since 2018. I was program leader with MSCR for 3 years. I am studying and have done volunteer work in art therapy. I have also done administrative work with Dane Arts and the Goodman Community Center. I want to be the person and teacher I never had growing up while attending after-school programs and community centers. I am looking forward to building relationships with the students and families.
Evelyn Vazquez
Marquette After School Assistant Teacher
Photo and bio coming soon!
Jasper Harth
Marquette After School Teacher
I have been working in education for two years. I taught English in Vietnam, was an AVID tutor at Memorial High School, and a Site Supervisor with MSCR. My goal is to earn a master’s of education degree and continue work in education.
Delaney Kiernan
Marquette After School Teacher
Hi! My name is Delaney Kiernan and I am a senior at UW-Madison. I love working with kids because it brings me joy seeing them grow and get excited about new things as they continue to experience the world! I have been babysitting since I was 15, have had practicum in different elementary classrooms, worked as a special education camp counselor, and a tumbling coach. I am very excited to be a Captain at Red Caboose this summer!
Community Partners
Steve Goldberg
Fund Development
I am working with Red Caboose on the New Tracks Capital Campaign. I retired from the CUNA Mutual Group after serving the company in various positions, most recently as Executive Director of the CUNA Mutual Foundation. I then served as Gift Development Specialist for Madison College. I continue my community involvement by consulting with nonprofits on their fund development strategies, emceeing community functions and attending numerous nonprofit events. I am an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Madison Chapter.
isolved
Human Resources
We manage payroll, employee benefits, and other human resource support functions for Red Caboose. That means we work with Red Caboose to elevate the employee experience to align with employees’ core values, support their wellbeing (financial, emotional, physical, spiritual, professional), grow their professional careers, and give them the right tools and resources to feel and perform their best.
Chuck Michaels
Janitorial Services
I am the owner/operator of Chuck Michaels Janitorial Services and have been providing those services to Red Caboose at the Child Care Center for decades. I make sure the Red Caboose facilities are clean and safe and am looking forward to doing the same in the new Red Caboose facility on Winnebago Street.
Numbers 4 Non Profits
Accounting
At Numbers 4 Nonprofits we manage money with mission by providing cost-effective accounting solutions for nonprofits. We are inspired by the mission of Red Caboose and the work they do in the community. We take our commitment to helping Red Caboose fulfill it’s mission to improve the lives of others very seriously. Our role is to be a partner in the development of Red Caboose. We deliver timely, meaningful and accurate financial information, and use that to support the financial decision-making process of Red Caboose.
