Kendra Deja comes to Solace Friends with 25 years of experience working in hospice and palliative care. Kendra holds a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from UW-Madison, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Marquette University, and completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) at UW-Madison. Prior to joining Solace Friends, Kendra worked as a hospice and palliative care clinician for several community hospices, VA medical centers in San Diego and Palo Alto, CA, and for hospital and clinic-based palliative care teams in California and Madison. Helping people to know that they matter has been at the core of her clinical work in every setting. Kendra is committed to bringing her core values of joy, empathy, and growth to the Solace Friends residents and community.

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.

Joan Karan (board vice president) has extensive experience working in Dane County nonprofits, including having served for 31 years as the associate director of Disability Rights Wisconsin, a statewide advocacy organization. Joan is the co-chair of Solace Friends’ Fundraising Committee.

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.

Lisa Cappelli worked as board-certified hospice and palliative care nurse for Agrace HospiceCare from 1999-2021, serving in both the home care and inpatient settings. She was a member of the agency’s equity and inclusion committee, advocating for culturally responsive end of life care for patients and families from all backgrounds. Lisa has been a faculty member in the School of Nursing at Madison College since 2002. From 2020 until 2023, she served as the Faculty Director for Equity and Inclusion for the School of Nursing. Lisa is the Co-Chair of Solace Friends’ JEDI Committee.

Jane Corkery recently retired from the State Bar of Wisconsin where she worked with twelve member boards representing different practice areas of law. Her work involved facilitating the work of the boards to benefit their members. She is also a long-time community volunteer for a variety of organizations including United Way Dane County, The Road Home, Catholic Multicultural Center, Red Cross and Others. Jane currently volunteers as Solace Friends’ Volunteer Coordinator.

Ann Catlett, M.D., is the founder of Solace Friends and co-founder of Madison Area Care for the Homeless, now known as Madison Street Medicine. She is retired from the faculty of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health where she taught and practiced Palliative Medicine. Ann will complete her many years on the Board of Directors in late 2025.

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.

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 Friends’ amazing team of caregivers provides 24/7 care for the residents of Solace Home. Their love, compassion, and dedication to our residents and our mission is inspiring to witness every single day. We are blessed with the best!

From left to right: Reni, Destiny, Monica, Michele, Kendra, Jen, Michelle, LeAnn

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
Alan Craig
Charlie Daniel
Joe Dooley
David Kinyon
Eric Knudson
Julie Mascitti
Bernie Micke
Meaghan Minster
Andrew O'Donnell
Karen Reppen
Maya Roy