meet our board
Kay M. Mazza
Hello, I'm Kay M. Mazza. Born in LaCrosse and after several decades away as an adult, came back to my hometown to help my family actively create support a place called Bridges of Belonging for my sister, Lynn, and several other residents after my father, Lee Gilbert, passed away in 2002.
I am the mother to two marvelous twin men, Simon and Dylan Mazza. Sister to Lynn, a resident, and many other Gilberts, Beth, Ann and Richard and daughter to my dear mother, Sue Gilbert, who was instrumental as a founder for the Bridges of Belonging home.
I have been in retail all my life all across the United States and wonderfully now own my own consignment shop, Oolala! Consign. Additionally, I hold the position of President of the Board of Bridges of Belonging and certainly hold the torch along with many other gifted contributors to the importance of the mission of the organization, the love and care of the residents and the efforts to lift our community through good work in groups.
It is a pleasure to be a part of forward motion and group think especially within Bridges of Belonging.
Dr. Jeannette Spilde
Originally from North Dakota, I’ve made Wisconsin my home for the last 26 years. A physician, I completed residency at UW Hospital in Madison, and I’ve been practicing radiology in La Crosse since 2008.
I live with my husband Steve and daughter Sophia. Steve enjoys golf, Sophia lives for football, and I love nature walks. We all have fun going to the movies together.
Sophia was diagnosed with autism at age 3. Thus began our family’s journey within the disability community, which has brought us much support, wisdom, and personal growth over the years.
Participating in Bridges of Belonging allows me to express my gratitude, to learn and to contribute. The Board aligns with my values, and I have deep respect for the vision and mission set forth by the founders, guardians, and staff at the Dwelling Place. And of course, it’s simply a great opportunity to meet wonderful people and interact with the housemates who make it all happen!
Julie Pichler
I am a La Crosse native, having grown up on French Island. After graduating from Aquinas high school, I left La Crosse to earn my bachelor’s degree in finance at the University of Arizona, and then went on to receive my MBA at UW-Milwaukee. I eventually pursued a career in Property & Casualty Insurance underwriting, working for two Fortune 500 companies over a 23 year span. In 2017, I returned home to La Crosse when the opportunity arose to work alongside my brother in business insurance at Robertson Ryan & Associates. I am currently a Commercial Lines Account Manager at Robertson Ryan, and have worked in commercial insurance for the past 27+ years. I currently work with and insure several Not-For-Profit organizations in the La Crosse area, many of whom work with disabled individuals.
I joined the Bridges of Belonging Board in 2018, and am thrilled to be a part of an organization that supports adults with disabilities, and one that strives to continue to improve the quality of life for The Dwelling Place residents. Working with other Not-For-Profits in my profession, I know the importance of these type organizations in delivering services and support to disabled individuals. My husband, Dave, and I live in La Crescent, MN with our 2 sons. We enjoy biking the Minnesota trails, boating on the Mississippi, and going to Disney World.
Brendan Gargaro
I grew up on Onalaska WI, and graduated from Onalaska High School in 2015. I attended the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul from 2015-2019 and graduated with a degree in Finance. My sophomore year of college I began working as a teller for Coulee Bank. Going into my senior year I interned with Coulee as a credit analyst and found the work to be challenging and rewarding. I was offered a full time position after I graduated in May of 2019 and have been working there since. I have worked through hundreds of businesses, for profit, and nonprofit financials over the last 3 or so years as my work as a credit analyst, which makes me very comfortable and knowledgeable with numbers.
I currently live with my girlfriend of 8 years, along with our two dogs, who is in her last semester of Law School at Saint Thomas, we are planning on moving back to the La Crosse when she finishes school in December of 2021. I am a sports enthusiast so when I am not glued to a screen watching or checking on sports I love being outdoors spending time with my dogs or hunting, fishing, golfing, boating, skiing, etc.
With plans to move back to La Crosse from Saint Paul I was interested in becoming more involved in the community. Through a co-worker, I learned about Bridges of Belonging and their need for a new Treasurer and thought this would be a great fit for both me and the organization. Throughout high school and college I have volunteered with the Onalaska Lions Club, Keystone Food Bank, and Rosemount Elementary School. This is my first role on a non-profit board, so I look forward to working and learning from the other board members and am excited to see how I can use the various skills I have learned over the years to help strengthen the organization.
James Hurley
I am James Hurley, a Central High School graduate who moved to Rochester, Minnesota shortly after. I went on to work at Mayo Clinic at Saint Mary's and Methodist Hospital. I moved back to La Crosse after a decade away and took a job with General Medical Spence McCord selling pharmaceuticals for a brief period of time. I then created a career as a commercial kitchen designer and installer with my company called the MYA Group Corporation and designed several nursing homes kitchens, remodeled hospitals and many restaurants throughout the tristate area.
I'm invested with people with disabilities as I am the father of a daughter born with disabilities, now deceased. I proudly am the father of two children. My daughter Leah who works in the medical field at St. Mary’s, and a son named James who is finishing his education in the medical field as an anesthesiologist.
My interest in being involved with Bridges of Belonging is because it is physically located in my neighborhood and an asset organization to the improvement of special needs and disability enhancement programs for the city and county of LaCrosse.
I participated in the committee of finding transportation this year for Bridges of Belonging in locating a van for their daily use.
I look forward to expanding other engagement opportunities for the residents, our neighborhood and the organization in the future.
Alice Holstein
As a La Crosse native, I returned, after 40 years absence, in 2002. I am eager to provide my heartfelt self
to the board of Bridges of Belonging. I bring a multi-dimensional perspective to its loving work. During
my tour as an Air Force Intelligence officer, I was the first woman to break gender barriers in several
jobs. Later I used my MA in Group Dynamics and my Ed.D. in Organization Development to become a
self-employed consultant (and part-time college instructor) who led 85 clients, large and small, non-
profit and corporate, to create participative work places where people could flourish.
I also bring my experiences with disability as the bearer of a mid-life onset of severe mental illness,
bipolar mood disorder. After significant suffering, which I have written about in two books, (seeing it as
a spiritual path) a strong recovery includes 9 years working with the VA Mental health Clinic in La Crosse
and training in the Franciscan Center’s Spiritual Direction Preparation Program. My ecumenical
perspective comes from years-long membership in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, numerous
contacts with the FSPA and current companioning to become a FSPA Affiliate. I am a devoted writer who
loves the craft. I believe that strong bonds of loving relationships can produce everyday miracles.
Norm Nordstrom
I was born in La Crosse in 1948. I went to school in La Crosse and graduated from Central and UW La crosse. While attending UW La crosse I was president of Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity. I have always been a person who tries to be of service to my community. I served in the United States Marine Corp and am a retired disabled veteran. I have had several jobs along the way, my last job was with Herbergers Department store where I was a department manager for 27 years. I enjoyed helping customers and working with a wide variety of people. I have been married for fifty years to my best friend , Lynda. We have one son , Eric and two grandchildren. We enjoy traveling and listening to live music. I look forward to being involved with Bridges of Belonging which will allow me to continue my service to our community.
Jeff Nylander
Hello, my name is Jeff Nylander and I feel honored to be asked to serve on this board. I am a devoted husband of 40 years to my beautiful wife Jeannie, I am a proud father to Brian our son of 39 years and or daughter Melissa of 38 years. I am an equally proud grandfather of our grand garden, as we call them, Lily 16, Violet, 15 and Magnolia, 14. I consider myself a lifelong, devoted Roman Catholic disciple of the Holy Trinity. My anchor in all my endeavors has been and will continue to be duty to God, Family and Country.
The following experiences continue to shape and form my life and God’s plan for my existence. 12 years of Catholic education, 12 years of dedicated service in the United States Navy Seabees, 50 years as a scout, Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America, 25 years as a certified volunteer Firefighter/ First responder and Chaplain, 40 years as a licensed Electrician/HVAC technician, 21 years as a licensed educator earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education, Broad field Social Studies and a Master’s degree in Cross Categorical Special Education, both from UWL. My positions included, the National Guard Challenge Academy and Virtual Special Education teacher covering the entire state of Wisconsin. I am medically retired, yet I currently substitute teach in the Lacrosse School District.
I am a life member of the Disabled American Veterans of America, Life member of the Seabee Veterans of America and a life member of the Knights of Columbus, 3rd degree. I currently serve as the Board Chairman of the Committee for Citizen With Disabilities board for the City of Lacrosse. My wife Jeannie and I continue our battle to find comfort and normalcy in our lives as we struggle to overcome, many health issues including blindness and neuropathy, that have taken away some of our faculties, yet we strive every day to modify and accommodate not only our living conditions, but also help others to find a better way to improve their quality of life both personally and publicly.
Heather Quackenboss
Heather Quackenboss works as the Human Development and Relationships Educator for UW Madison Division of Extension. She has worked with local non-profits for the last 20+ years and had the blessing of working with the innovative and inspiring group that started Bridges of Belonging as they brought their idea of a home with spirituality and aging in place opportunities to the community.
