Journey21 is proud to benefit from the leadership of respected professionals who have been selected for their experience, knowledge, and passionate interest in creating innovative solutions for adults with IDD in Wisconsin.
Judie D. Taylor, Executive Director
Judie is the current Chairman of Utility Equipment Holding Company, which is the parent company to the former businesses of DUECO and Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation. She has over 30 years of extensive knowledge in servant leadership and strategic business focus in areas of manufacturing, business leadership, management, sales and marketing, finance, human resources, operations, customer service and care.
Heidi Hamilton, Enrichment Center Director
Heidi was a Special Education teacher and Transition Coordinator at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin, for 29 years. Growing up with a younger brother who has special needs, she developed a passion for helping students/adults with special needs transition into the workforce and adult life.
Nancy Berry, Learning Academy and Program Assistant
In 2023, I began my journey with Journey21 as a volunteer. The experience was extremely rewarding, and I quickly became passionate about the mission of this incredible organization. I couldn’t be more grateful to now be a part of the team and to work with such extraordinary and inspiring teens and young adults every day.
Caty Bulgrin, MS, CRC, LPC, Director of Operations
Caty has been serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for over 20 years. Caty has provided leadership for adult day program, residential services, and employment opportunities. She has worked at a variety of organizations serving individuals with IDD, including Curative Care Network, Milwaukee Center for Independence, and HEAR Wisconsin.
Kim Dion, Administrative Assistant
Kim had a very long career, 28 years, with Arrowhead High School. She began back in 1995 as a Special Education Assistant at Richmond for 4K-8 grade students. Kim loved every minute I spent there with the students. The students taught her so much more about herself and life than she could have ever imagined.
Ryan Dodge, Life Academy Instructor
I am excited to begin working here at Journey21. I am deeply passionate about teaching and helping students of all abilities. Getting to know students and diving into what they enjoy learning has always been what drives me to be the best teacher and person I can be.
Craig Heinze, 18-21 Transition Academy Instructor
I am excited to join the Journey21 team. I have been caring for people since the early 90’s as an undergraduate at UWM Child Care Center. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, I moved to public education and taught at Merton Primary school for 27 years in five-year-old kindergarten, first and second grade.
Dr. Sarah Hoffman, Occupational Therapist
Working at Journey21 is such a dream come true. Growing up with a brother who has a rare neurological disorder, I always knew I wanted a career that would allow me to work with the IDD population. During my schooling, I earned a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and a Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy. I have been volunteering with Journey21 for over 4 years now and in spring 2024 completed my doctoral capstone project with Journey21 by introducing a leadership and self-advocacy program to the academy students. During summer 2024 I was a summer academy lead instructor for Journey21.
Rachael Merryfield, Life Academy Instructor
I am beyond excited to be here at Journey21! I am so grateful to have the opportunity to serve young adults and help transition them into their post-secondary adulthood. I developed my passion working with individuals with disabilities at a young age. Throughout the years, I have always found myself finding opportunities to make a difference in someone's life. Those opportunities include being affiliated with Special Olympics, being a respite care provider, and becoming a Special Education teacher.
Wendy Monson, Program Lead
Wendy has been an educator for the past 33 years, working in a variety of settings and roles. She began as a Physical Education/Health/Adapted Physical Education teacher and Gymnastics Coach in the Germantown School District and found her love for working with kids with special needs. Wendy obtained an MS degree in Adapted Physical Education, which really ignited her passion for creating opportunities for all kids to have meaningful movement opportunities.
Kenny Rabbit, Learning Academy Assistant
I am very thankful to be joining the Journey21 team. After getting to know many of the leaders and students involved in the organization during the inaugural year, I look forward to supporting such a positive and impactful program. I have had the opportunity to learn from talented and passionate educators and coaches while working in Special Education for the School District of Waukesha and assisting with various Special Olympics teams and sports.