Reni Mildred has a decade of in-home experience caring for individuals at the end of life. Her work as a hospice Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) inspired her to pursue Associate Degrees in Human Services and Addiction Studies at Madison College. Solace Home provides Reni an ideal setting to focus her enthusiasm for caregiving and advocacy.

Katherine Kamp (board president) is the former Director of The Wisconsin Partnership Housing Development, Inc. (WPHD) where she also held several other key positions, all focused on the need to increase access to affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods through partnerships among the public, nonprofit and private sectors. She was Executive Director of the Housing Partnership of the Fox Valley, and a Vice President at Lewin/ICF, a large Washington D.C. policy consulting firm. Ms Kamp has a BA from Kalamazoo College and a MPP from University of Michigan. She completed the Achieving Excellence in Community Development program at the Harvard JFK School, and continues to serve as the President of the Board of Cinnaire Lending, a national CDFI, and is on the City/County Homeless Committee for Dane County.

Ed Hughes (board treasurer) is a retired attorney who previously worked at Stafford Rosenbaum LLP and the U.S. and Wisconsin Departments of Justice. He is a former president and nine-year member of the Madison School Board and has served on a number of boards. Ed is the chair of Solace Friends’ Budget and Finance Committee.

Laura Rose (board secretary) is a retired legislative and health policy attorney, working most of her career as Deputy Director of the nonpartisan Wisconsin Legislative Council. She concluded her career as Vice President of Policy Development at the Wisconsin Hospital Association.

Laura met Ann Catlett, founder of Solace Friends, through her work at WHA. Inspired by Ann’s work with Solace Friends, Laura joined the Board of Directors in 2022, taking a leave of absence in 2023 to assume the role of Interim Executive Director of Solace Friends. Upon the hiring of Solace’s permanent Executive Director, Kendra Deja, Laura resumed her place on the Board and serves as the chair of the Program Committee.

Lisa Berry is the Head of School at Woodland Montessori School. She has been part of their school community for 12 years. Lisa has extensive experience as a consultant for teachers, schools, and community programs on their Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist (ABAR) journey. She was appointed by the Mayor to join the Early Childhood Committee, which provides guidance and support for all Early Childhood programs in Dane County. Lisa’s own family has moved around the United States nine times, which allowed them to form close connections with people from all backgrounds and develop a deep concern for our communities. Lisa is a volunteer for several organizations that aim to make our communities a better place for everyone. Lisa is the Co-Chair of Solace Friends’ JEDI Committee.

Barb Clark has focused her career on the welfare of children and social justice advocacy. Barb was a social worker at the Respite Center, as coordinator of maternal/child health at the Wisconsin Nutrition Project (now defunct) working with Hmong and Hispanic women in Milwaukee and LaCrosse, teaching child development classes at UW Madison Extension and for Dane County. She was a member of the Dane County Youth Commission, was the director of “Call For Action” at WISC TV in Madison. Barb volunteered in a Mother Teresa run orphanage with ill children in Brazil and spent 5 years working with migrants crossing the desert from Mexico to the United States. Barb was staff for President Obama’s 2008 campaign, and has coordinated several campaigns including Dane County Judicial, County Executive and District Attorney Campaigns.

Rebecka Crandall is dedicated to building meaningful communities and supporting systems change through person-centered services. Her work spans substance use treatment and prevention, as well as higher education supporting veterans. She is a certifi ed Grief Support Specialist and Recovery Coach with deep experience in trauma-informed program development.

Meg Gaines is a retired law professor who started the Center for Patient Partnerships at the UW-Madison after surviving a diagnosis of metastatic ovarian cancer and the ensuing trauma of navigating the U.S. healthcare system. The Center trains professional students to advocate with people facing life-threatening and serious chronic illnesses to help them get the care they need and want when and how they choose. Meg has served on several boards, most recently the AAMC, and is honored to have the opportunity to bring her experience as an advocate closer to home.

Dr. Juanita Halls is a retired Internal Medicine physician. She is retired from the University Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She practiced Primary Care Internal Medicine at UW Health for 35+ years. She’s always been interested in serving the underserved, including volunteering at free clinics as a medical student and resident and continuing volunteer work at the homeless shelter clinics in Madison while practicing. As part of her primary care practice she worked with patients who were housing insecure as well as with many end-of-life patients. Therefore, when she heard about Solace House, it seemed like a perfect match for volunteer work. She has worked as a volunteer at the House since it opened and she looks forward to serving on the Board of Directors.

Dr. James Ircink was born and raised in Madison, WI. After studying business in college, he had a change of heart and went back to school and ultimately obtained his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. While in medical school, James volunteered at free clinics and with community outreach groups that serve unsheltered women and men. He is now a practicing family physician and adult hospitalist at UW Health. He is interested in longitudinal relationships and breadth of practice including care of all ages. In addition, he is the current medical director of Madison Street Medicine, an organization he has been involved with for almost 10 years. He is excited for the opportunity to join the Solace Board and support its mission. If you want to get him talking, ask him about boxing, fishing, cribbage, or the Fighting Irish.

Connie Kilmark is a financial counselor in private practice, working at the intersection of money and emotions to help individuals, couples and business partners make practical, enduring change in their relationships and financial habits. She was a regular guest on Wisconsin Public Radio for 25 years, offering insights on financial psychology and creative financial practice as well as answering on-air listener questions. An experienced trainer and public speaker, Ms. Kilmark offers workshops on a wide variety of psychologically informed financial topics. She has served on numerous boards in South-Central Wisconsin and is currently the president of her congregation’s Foundation. Classical music, theater and museum visits are among her most passionate interests. She is the guardian of her adult daughter who has autism and has served as Health Care POA for two family friends with dementia.

Latasha Robinson, LPN, has more than two decades of nursing experience in a variety of key positions and is currently a Manager of Business Development. Latasha also founded and currently runs Empowering Colorful Minds. Latasha serves on the Wisconsin Serious Illness Coalition and serves on the leadership team for Madison Black Nurses. Her professional passion lies in coaching, mentoring and education. Latasha serves on Solace Friends’ Executive and JEDI Committees.

Dr. Marco Torrez-Miranda, LCSW, is a transformative leader focused on designing and implementing systems and structures that embed culturally responsive strategies to enhance access, engagement, and success. With over fifteen years of experience in behavioral health and higher education, Dr. Torrez-Miranda has served as a clinician, clinical supervisor, mentor, consultant, program director, faculty member, and administrator. His work goes beyond fostering equity—he catalyzes innovation by transforming organizational culture and policies to create environments where individuals realize their fullest potential. Through his leadership, scholarship, and presentations, Dr. Torrez-Miranda promotes systemic, sustainable change that drives equity and innovation, enabling organizations to thrive in our ever-evolving landscape.

Solace Home evolved from a dream to reality due to the dedication and hard work of many people over the years! Solace Friends extends our deepest gratitude to our former Board members and previous working group members.

Lynn Breedlove
Lisa Cappelli
Ann Catlett
Jane Corkery
Alan Craig
Charlie Daniel
Joe Dooley
Joan Karan
David Kinyon
Eric Knudson
Julie Mascitti
Bernie Micke
Meaghan Minster
Andrew O'Donnell
Karen Reppen
Maya Roy