Yahara House Advisory Council
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Jerry Pasdo is a retired investment real estate broker but still active in investment properties. He loves remodeling older, traditional apartment buildings to bring back the character of the older Madison neighborhoods. Fishing and kayaking round out the extracurricular projects. He finds his time spent with the entire group at Yahara House very rewarding.
Angela Vellardita grew up in Madison on the East side, just a few blocks from YH. "I have lived in CA and NV and have always come back to Wisconsin because I love it so much and most of my family is here. Currently, I live with my 14 year old Chihuahua Winnie and am in school for mental health counseling to become a therapist. In my free time, I enjoy having game nights with my family and friends, painting, and watching scary movies!"
Brad Schlough earned a master's debgree in Rehabilitation Psychology from UW-Madison in 1992. He has more than 30 years of experience in the behavioral health field, having held various leadership positions at Journey, since 2018 he has been the Clubhouse Director/Program Manager of Yahara House. Brad is a lifetime resident of Dane County. Brad's wife Mary, and their three children share a love for animals, traveling and the outdoors.
Isabella (Bella) is from the Madison, WI and currently lives on the East Side with her partner Ben, Bella has been part of the Wisconsin Population Health Service Fellowship through UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health since June 2023.
As a current fellow, Isabella works full time with Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Unit in the Division of Public Health within Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services where she supports programmatic work via evaluation and other projects. Bella graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a double minor in Public Health and Spanish from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2021. In 2023, Isabella received her Master’s of Public Health degree with a concentration in Community and Behavioral Health Promotion from UW-Milwaukee's Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health. During her graduate career, she was also part of her school’s Maternal and Child Health Graduate Certificate program.
Bella has a range of public health experiences in both state government and non-profit settings. She is passionate about working to ensure all Wisconsinites have equitable access to quality services needed to improve health outcomes and overall wellbeing. In here free time, she likes to try new recipes and restaurants, take long walks by Lake Mendota or cuddle up on the couch to knit when it’s too cold outside.
Bryana Bosko started at Yahara House as an intern in 2020, later working as a Clubhouse Generalist and then a Colleague Advocate until 2023. She now works as a Payroll and Benefits Specialist at the University of Wisconsin - Madison but reconnected with Yahara House via the Friends Advisory Council in 2024. Bryana enjoys gardening, traveling, and trying new recipes.
Elissa Kinch has been a member since 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Johns Hopkins University. She is active in several committees at Yahara House. She has served as the Co-Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's DisAbility Caucus and is currently its Vice Chair.
Rick Petzke has been a member on the FAC board since 2020. "Yahara House has given me a sense of belonging and community. Colleagues have also supported and helped me in my 6 years of sobriety." He currently works at Hyvee in the produce department after successfully completing the TEP.
Mark Benson has been a member of Yahara House since 1982. Formerly a Smokey's employee for over 20 years and now he is "semi-retired" saying he still
"works" at Yahara House. He was a longtime Clubhouse faculty member and traveled all around the United States even going to Hawaii! He loves baking in the cafe.
Adolf Gundersen has been a member of the Friends Advisory Council since 2023
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He has 3 decades of facilitation experience, 10 years experience in all facets of NGO management. He as also published 3 books and numerous monographs on the value and nature of useful discussion. He is trained to industry standards as family mediator
His core interest is the theory and practice of discussion in the service of individuals, families, and democracy