MEET OUR TEAM
Our growing team of more than twenty dedicated professionals brings together leadership, administrative support, mental health clinicians, and community program specialists. We work collectively, with heart, to support the healing of children and families.
Meet Our Founder
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sharyl Kato, MS, LPC
Sharyl Kato’s visionary leadership has propelled trauma‑informed care for over forty years. Discover the energy and purpose driving The Rainbow Project’s mission and community impact.
CHILD & FAMILY THERAPISTS
Eric Crawford, LCP-IT
Program Manager
Child & Adult Family TherapistSharyl Kato, MS, LPC
Executive Director, Founder
Child & Family Therapist
Monica Madrigal, LPC
Bilingual Child & Adult Family TherapistEmily Pearson, LPC-IT
Child & Adult Family TherapistJohnathan Martinez, LPC
Bilingual Child & Adult Family TherapistDarren LeCount, LCSW
Clinical Manager
Child & Adult Family TherapistSpanish Speaking Program Coordinator
Bilingual Child & Adult Family TherapistKelsey Thatcher, LCSW
Celia Huerta, LPC
Child & Adult Family Therapist
INTEGRATED HEALTH PROVIDERS
Tanner Bommersbach, MD MPH
Lindsey Retzlaff, RN, BSN, MSN
Registered NurseChild & Adolescent PsychiatristINTERNS & FELLOWS
Throughout the academic year, The Rainbow Project also hosts clinical interns. We’ve got a fantastic group this year:
Sophia Chleborad, MS
Doctoral StudentMaria Leighton, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow | Integrated Health Team
Carolyn Piggot, LPC, PsyD
Post-Doctoral Psychology FellowKorinne Spencer
MSW Field StudentGROUP FACILITATORS
Chris Carlsen, GORP
Kim Eithun, GORP
Sayhra Schiro
OFFICE & PROGRAM STAFF
Marie Nofodji Zomassi, APSW
Ami Verhalen, CNP
Referral CoordinatorGrant WriterWant to join our team?
Rachel Yves
Marketing, Outreach, & Fund Development Coordinator
Debra Brown
Christine Cooke
Volunteer CoordinatorAdministrative ManagerAshiantii Collier-Slaton
Sara Flynn
Finance & HR ManagerCommunity Services FacilitatorOUR BOARD
-
![]()
Carola Peterson Gaines
BOARD PRESIDENT
-
![]()
Elena Poznakhirina
TREASURER
-
![]()
Mee Soon Langohr
MEMBER
-
![]()
Dr. Laura Houser
MEMBER
-
![]()
Dr. Travelle Franklin-Ford Ellis
MEMBER
-
![]()
Sharyl Kato
MEMBER
-
![]()
Alyssa Schultz
MEMBER
-
![]()
Treater Prestine
VICE PRESIDENT
We believe in the power of community
In addition to their direct service work, our staff actively advocate for safer, healthier communities by participating in local and statewide committees, coalitions, and collaborative initiatives. Our engagement spans interdisciplinary groups addressing family violence, child abuse prevention, sensitive crimes, trauma‑informed care, coordinated community response systems, and broader community well‑being efforts—including partnerships with civic organizations and countywide initiatives.
Through these combined roles, our team not only provides high‑quality, trauma‑informed care but also helps shape policies, strengthen community networks, and uplift collaborative efforts that advance safety, resilience, and healing across Dane County.
Find our team members with:
Children of Violent Homes Project
Dane County Commission on Sensitive Crimes
Dane County's Child Abuse & Neglect Coordinated Community Response Task Force
Dane County's Children, Youth & Families Consortium
Dane County's Domestic Violence Coordinated Community Response Task Force
Five Agency Cooperative Effort (FACE)
Rotary Club
Trauma-Informed Community Advisory Council
United Way of Dane County committees & groups