Sarah Brandt
Employment and Benefit Specialist
Email Sarah |
Phone: 608-906-2740 or Mobile: 608-333-5745
Sarah is an Employment Specialist working with individuals seeking employment as part of the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program. She holds her B.S. in Rehabilitation Psychology and minor in 3D Studio Art from UW-Madison and is currently completing her M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling at UW-Madison. Prior to ERI, Sarah worked as a Health Benefits Advocate assisting individuals apply for Social Security and Medicaid benefits at a local nonprofit. She has had internship experiences with ERI, the DVR, and Expert Vocational Consulting where she has learned more about the coordination of services for people with disabilities seeking employment. She is excited to return to ERI to assist those seeking fulfilling employment.
Patty Carpenter
Employment Specialist
Email Patty |
Mobile: 715-577-2796, Office: 608-906-2739, Toll-free: 855-401-8549
Patty is a Customized Employment Specialist in Northern Wisconsin with experience in education and human services. She instructed within the University of Minnesota Health and Human Services Department, served as an Interpretive Park Ranger for the National Park Service, represented Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Program, and worked for several non-profit learning centers. Throughout her career, Patty developed programs to meet the diverse learning styles and interests of her audiences. As a lead wilderness therapy guide, Patty guided youth and adults with individualized therapeutic treatment plans and supported their transitions to aftercare. Patty holds a Masters of Environmental Education from the University of Minnesota in Duluth. She obtained a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and a Major in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana in Missoula. Patty is motivated to foster relevant, meaningful employment opportunities for job candidates.
Stephanie Drum
Benefits Specialist Manager
Email Stephanie |
Phone: 608-906-2711 or 608-246-3444 x229
Stephanie started at ERI in 2006. She has worked as a Work Incentive Benefits Specialist (WIBS) in various programs while at ERI. In addition to working as a benefits specialist, she is a lead trainer for the Initial WIBS training offered by ERI.
Mike Edwards
Employment Specialist
Email Mike |
Phone: 608-906-2745
Mike is a social worker who works with people who are seeking employment as part of the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program. Previously, he worked on the Pathways to Independence and the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant projects, and at Yahara House, a clubhouse program in Madison that supports the right of everyone to be employed.
Mary Elliston
Employment Specialist
Email Mary |
Phone: 920-676-4393 or 855-401-8549
Mary is an Employment Specialist in Northeastern Wisconsin. Her past experience includes co-developing a Bariatric Surgery Program, that achieved the designation of an ASMBS Centers of Excellence. She has worked as a Behavior Support Specialist at Ethan House, a group home for court ordered adolescents. She has more than 15 years of experience working closely with employer groups, medical review teams and employee health insurance benefits. Mary believes that every life has meaning and purpose. She is passionate about helping people achieve their goals in life. Mary has a Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Management from Concordia University, Green Bay campus.
Miriam Grunes
Senior Financial Manager
Email Miriam |
Phone: 608-906-2727 or 608-246-3444 x225
Miriam comes to this position with a wide range of financial management experiences for both nonprofit organizations and small businesses. Her experience includes 13 years as the Executive Director of REAP Food Group, a non-profit building a healthful, just, and sustainable food system in southern Wisconsin. She has also managed the finances for a national environmental nonprofit, a childrens’ play equipment manufacturer, and for an art gallery that she owned and managed for eight years. With a degree in Mathematics, Miriam has had a long-standing love of working with numbers. She is delighted to now lend her number-crunching skills to advancing the mission of ERI.
Lisa Horton
Quality and Design Lead
Email Lisa |
Phone: 608-906-2718
Lisa is the Quality and Design Lead for ERI and is a member of the design team. This means that Lisa is involved with e-Learning, training, event marketing, and has various administrative duties around the office. Previously she worked for non-profit associations coordinating and executing projects for print and web-posting. Lisa’s eye for detail was honed over the years working in retail advertising, printing departments, and educational settings. She received her BA with an emphasis in Communication Arts and Art History, and she believes that learning should be never-ending.
Ellen Jungbluth
Benefits Specialist
Email Ellen |
Phone: 608-906-2731 or 608-246-3444 x232
As a Work Incentive Benefits Specialist, Ellen provides benefit related services to beneficiaries regarding Social Security Administration work incentives. This includes public benefits, health care systems, as well as other financial issues concerning benefits received. Ellen enjoys helping people get the most out of the many benefits available to them. Ellen has a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Science and a Master of Science degree in Education.
Megan Koch
Benefits Training Program Manager
Email Megan |
Phone: 608-906-2719 or 608-246-3444 x230
Megan coordinates WDBN outreach and training projects and is a work incentives benefits specialist. Megan holds a Master’s of Science degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from the UW-Madison. Megan is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). She attended the Wisconsin Disability Benefit Network (WDBN) 10 day training for Benefits Specialists in October/November of 2006 while she was working at Employment Resources, Inc. as an intern. Her many past experiences working with individuals with disabilities include internships working at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired, and Community Living Alliance (CLA).
Heidi Kodesh
Employment Specialist
Email Heidi |
Phone: 715-642-4892 or 855-401-8549
Heidi is a Social Worker working as an Employment Specialist in Northwestern Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelors degree of Social Work from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota and also holds a Certificate of Massage Therapy. She has experience working as a Long-Term Support case manager, has owned and operated her own self-employed business for 20 years and looks forward to helping individuals find self fulfillment and satisfaction gaining meaningful employment while contributing to their community and sense of self.
Theresa Kulow
Assistant Director
Email Theresa |
Phone: 608-906-2720
Theresa is a long-time promoter and advocate for programs and services for people with disabilities. She brings extensive experience in marketing, design, and promotion; information management; website administration and design; and online learning development and training. She currently oversees ERI’s information management, marketing, communications, and training activities. Theresa speaks on a variety of technology, social media, and e-learning topics at local, state and national conferences with a disability focus. With degrees in English and Education, Theresa has a real passion for learning and enjoys sharing her experiences and expertise in this area.
Amber Kwiatkowski
Work Incentives Benefits Specialist
Email Amber |
Phone: 608-906-2721 or 608-246-3444 x227
As a Work Incentive Benefits Specialist, Amber provides benefit related services to beneficiaries regarding Social Security Administration work incentives. This includes public benefits, health care systems, as well as other financial issues concerning benefits received. Amber also provides ongoing training and community outreach for individuals and professionals on a variety of benefits-related information and community resources. Amber holds a Master’s of Science in Social Work from the UW-Madison.
Dawn Lalley
Senior Web and Graphic Designer
Email Dawn |
Phone: 608-906-2715 or 608-246-3444 ext. 225
As a Senior Web and Graphic Designer, Dawn brings extensive experience in web, graphic and multimedia design/development, digital marketing, content and communication strategy planning, social media campaign development, and a true passion for fulfilling needs and providing elevated solutions. Dawn’s passionate about using her experience to support the goals of individuals with disabilities, as well as the staff and organizations that work with them, to be successful in their communities. She received her education in Website Design & Development and Liberal Arts Studies through Madison College and believes strongly in continued growth through a commitment to life-long learning. Outside of work, you’ll find Dawn spending time in nature, “enjoying the little things,” with her son Jaden, a variety of family pets (mostly rescues), and volunteering for local/international non-profits providing support to women and children in desperate economic conditions, animal and wildlife rescue, at-risk child/rescued-pet therapy and committee work for local small businesses.
Terri Lannan
Employment and Benefits Specialist
Email Terri |
Phone: 608-906-2724 or 608-246-3444 ext. 238
Terri is an Employment and Benefits Specialist working in the Ticket to Work program as well as providing Work Incentives Benefits Counseling. In addition to working at ERI, she has also held various other positions that focused on benefits counseling and employment services.
Casey Lubinsky
Benefits Specialist
Email Casey |
Phone: 715-210-4458 or 855-401-8549
Casey joins ERI as a Benefits Specialist and will be working with our WIPA team serving Western Wisconsin. As a Work Incentive Benefits Specialist, Casey provides benefit-related services to beneficiaries regarding Social Security Administration work incentives. This includes public benefits, health care systems, as well as other financial issues concerning benefits received. Casey has a Master’s Degree from UW-Stout in Vocational Rehabilitation with concentrations in Rehabilitation Counseling and Vocational Evaluation. She holds Certifications in Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC), Vocational Evaluation (CVE), and Community Work Incentives Coordination (CWIC).
Sarah Lyngdal
Ticket to Work Program Manager
Email Sarah |
Phone: 608-906-2713 or 608-246-3444 x240
Sarah works closely with the Ticket to Work team to continue to grow the program and provide consumers with high quality and efficient services. Prior to coming to ERI, Sarah worked as an intake case management specialist for the Wisconsin-Works (W2) program in Milwaukee. She is passionate about helping individuals move forward with their employment goals. She holds a B.S. degree in Human Development and Family Studies from UW-Madison.
Dan Mifflin
Employment Specialist
Email Dan |
Phone: 608-906-2741
Dan is a social worker who works with high school students with disabilities and their family by helping to facilitate a seamless transition out of school and into integrated community employment and adult long-term services. Dan holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which he obtained after receiving his BA at UW-La Crosse in Wisconsin. Dan’s past internship and employment experiences working with individuals with disabilities include direct service for adults with disabilities, clinical experiences at The Waisman Center (Madison) within the Down Syndrome Clinic and Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic, as well as Dane County Department of Human Services. Dan is passionate about community participation and integration for individuals with disabilities, and enjoys helping others achieve their goals.
Jolin Mitchel
Community Benefits Specialist
Email Jolin |
Phone: 608-906-2722 or 608-246-3444 x231
Jolin has been a Community Benefits Specialist at ERI since June 2009. He earned a B.A. from Grinnell College with an independent major and a M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Rehabilitation Psychology. In between these academic adventures, Jolin worked for five years at a group home for people with mental illnesses.
Claudio Moya
Web and Graphic Designer
Email Claudio |
Phone: 608-906-2723 or 608-246-3444 x233
Claudio’s expertise and interests center on learning innovative ways to convey messages through emerging media including websites, social media, and video. At ERI, he brings his design eye and web development experience to a variety of projects including
Wisconsin Promise,
Project E3, and
PEQATAC. He previously worked for RedLine Milwaukee, an organization dedicated to bringing art education and galleries to Milwaukee youth. He helped expand their social media presence by bringing remarkable ideas and up-to-date expertise to their social media content. He also worked and interned as a creative for Fleishman Hillard Chicago, the House of Harley-Davidson, and Madison College. He earned a BS in Advertising and Communications from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and an AA in Graphic Design from Madison College.
Cori Olson
Community Benefits Specialist
Email Cori |
Phone: 608-906-2725 or 608-246-3444 x248
Previously, she worked for almost 20 years at Yahara House, a Clubhouse model program, providing recovery-focused opportunities for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Cori has worked as an employment specialist, and as a case manager at Blacksmith House Community Support Program. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Delaware, and a M.S. in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Lisa Puishis
Employment Specialist
Email Lisa |
Phone: 920-676-2811 or 855-401-8549
Lisa is an Employment Specialist in Northeastern Wisconsin. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation and Special Education from University of Wisconsin-Stout. She has experience working as a teacher, job coach and case manager. Lisa is excited to be able to focus on assisting people in finding fulfilling employment.
Jessica Reed
Employment Specialist Peer Mentor
Email Jessica |
Phone: 608-906-2726 or 608-246-3444 x245
Jessica provides benefit related services to people working with DVR, to identify work incentives that will assist them when they begin, have a change in, or return to paid work. Previously, she supervised the Pre-vocational Work Center at Chrysalis, Inc., a small non-profit in Madison, dedicated to providing work related services to people with serious mental illness. She also provided consumers with assistance related to Social Security and county benefits. Jessica received her M.S. degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from UW-Madison. She is also a former librarian.
Kim Reese
Employment Specialist
Email Kim |
Phone: 715-577-7174 or 855-401-8549
Kim is an Employment Specialist in the Northwestern part of the state. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from UW-Stout in Hotel and Restaurant Management and has over 20 years of management experience. She most recently owned and operated her own restaurant in the small town where her family resides. She has strong community ties and believes that everyone can work and be included in their community!
Heather Schintgen
Employment Specialist
Email Heather |
Phone: 715-533-9172 or 855-401-8549
Heather is an Employment Specialist in the Northwestern part of the state. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Vocational Rehabilitation. She most recently has been homeschooling her children, but before that was a Community Patrol Officer for the Eau Claire Police Department while going to school. Heather believes with the right tools and steps all people can find their niche in the workforce. People who are happily employed have a higher quality of life through gained relationships in the community they live in.
Sarah Schroeder
Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC)
Email Sarah |
Phone: 608-906-2716 or 608-246-3444 x226
As a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC), Sarah provides benefit related services to beneficiaries regarding Social Security Administration work incentives. She also administers pre-driving assessments as one of ERI’s Driving Services Specialists. Sarah has a degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master’s Degree in Library Science. She was a public librarian for many years in Illinois before returning to her home state of Wisconsin.
Lindsey Schultz
Office Coordinator
Email Lindsey |
Phone: 608-906-2728 or 608-246-3444 x226
Lindsey is the Office Coordinator and focuses on providing administrative support to the ERI team. Lindsey recently joined ERI with a strong background in administrative support, by developing her skills with an organization in Madison that helped provide daily support to seniors, adults with disabilities, and youth with behavioral and mental health disabilities. Lindsey’s desire is to continue to work in an organization that helps provide the support to people that will allow them to continue to thrive in their communities.
Jolene Wanek
WIPA Project Manager
Email Jolene |
Phone: Toll-free: 877-826-1752 | Phone: 920-676-2324
Jolene provides benefit related services to beneficiaries regarding Social Security Administration work incentives. A priority for Jolene is to assist individuals in removing barriers to employment. She provides information, referrals, benefit support, planning, problem solving, advocacy, analysis of benefits, and management of benefit and work-related issues. Jolene also collaborates and organizes with other agencies in the community in distributing appropriate and accurate information to individuals regarding Social Security and work incentive programs. Jolene is a past President of WIBSA – the Work Incentives Benefits Specialist Association of Wisconsin. Jolene holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
Beth Wroblewski
Executive Director
Email Beth |
Phone: 608-906-2730 or 608-246-3444 x222
Beth brings over 25 years of experience in long-term care programs, including leadership positions with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. As a leader in long-term care, Beth’s career has focused on people with disabilities having opportunities and participation in all aspects of community life, including employment. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and is a Certified Public Manager. She has received recognition for her work in this field as a recipient of the Victor J. Contrucci Outstanding Leadership Award, the Elliot Shaw Award which honors a professional who goes above and beyond the call of duty, and the Die Hard Award from the Wisconsin Self-Determination Network in 2016.
