About Our Founder

Sharyl and a staff of 3 people began to coordinate long-term service for children and families “where youngsters have been the victims or witnesses of domestic violence.” In the beginning, it was called the Apple Project—apple stood for Alternative Preschool and Parent Learning Environment. They earned a 2-year federal grant through the Wisconsin Council on Criminal Justice to get it started. In 1983, the name changed to The Rainbow Project, but Sharyl continued the work. What started as a humble staff of 3 in a shared residential office on Williamson Street has grown into a team of over 15 headquartered in a therapeutic space on East Washington Avenue.

A licensed professional counselor and longtime child, adult, and family therapist, Sharyl’s expertise spans prevention, early intervention, crisis response, and treatment of childhood and family trauma—including abuse, neglect, domestic violence, community violence, grief and loss, and natural disasters. Her commitment to strengthening caregiver–child relationships, supporting parents, advancing cultural humility, and expanding access to mental health care has guided The Rainbow Project’s mission since its earliest days. She still meets new little faces and watches with care as they grow into adulthood.

Sharyl has been a driving force in community coordination and systems collaboration. She advocates for families to deliver compassionate, holistic support. Her leadership roles have included chairing the Children, Youth and Families Consortium and the Child Abuse and Neglect Coordinated Response Task Force, as well as contributing to the Children’s Mental Health Collaborative and the Dane County Commission on Sensitive Crimes. She has also served on statewide committees focused on domestic violence, community safety, and response to vulnerable populations.

In addition to her clinical and organizational leadership, Sharyl has been deeply engaged in community service—helping advance equity, representation, and cross‑cultural understanding through organizations such as the Wisconsin Organization for Asian Americans, Women in Focus, Downtown Madison Rotary, Wisconsin Women of Color Network, TEMPO, and the Greater Madison Vision Planning Commission.

Across every role, Sharyl brings a steadfast belief that healing is possible, resilience can be nurtured, and communities thrive when children and families are supported with care, dignity, and connection. Her legacy continues to guide The Rainbow Project’s vision for a safer, more compassionate future for all.