About . Our Team

Laura is an entrepreneur at heart and passionate about her work at Bloom360 and Vista360. She believes in recognizing and nurturing strengths in all people, including neurodivergent individuals. She thrives in an environment that values authentic relationships and teamwork. Those values and experiencing first-hand her daughter’s need for a more nurturing learning environment are what led her to develop Bloom360. Laura brings more than 30 years of business experience to Bloom360. As important, her perspective as a parent of two children brings the understanding and wisdom to the development and management of Bloom360.

Laura’s business experience includes serving as Managing Partner at Vista360, a consulting firm she founded more than 20 years ago and serving in senior management roles in the investment management industry previously. Her experience includes public accounting audit experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers and leading the finance and operations functions for mid-size and large investment management firms.

Laura has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She maintains her license and is a member of the AICPA.

Laura’s personal interests include spending time outdoors walking the trails at Wehr Nature Center, vacationing with her family in Door County, playing at the beach and trying new restaurants with friends and family.

“I believe all children can learn and thrive when we presume competence and then provide a nurturing environment built around their strengths and interests.”

Signature Strengths: Honesty, Bravery, Perspective, Self-regulation, Hope and Leadership

Cindy has more than 30 years of experience serving organizations and individuals in a variety of educational and coaching settings. Cindy is the Program Guide at Bloom360 Learning Community.  She shapes the school’s curriculum and oversees the continued development and implementation of Bloom360’s educational model which is rooted in human development. She also consults with Bloom360’s founding supporter Vista360, LLC and its clients to support their management consulting practice which focuses on strengths-based team and business building.

Prior to co-creating and developing Bloom360 Learning Community, Cindy was an early childhood teacher, school social worker and college professor of Sociology, Social Problems and Organizational Psychology. She also was the designer and facilitator of professional development courses (face-to-face and online platforms) and workshops within continuing education programs for adult learners. In addition, she facilitated support groups for children and parents, provided short-term strength based counseling and facilitated social/emotional programs within classrooms, clinics and work environments.

Cindy has completed the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education’s (IMSE) Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Training. This is a multi-sensory phonics approach for reading, writing and spelling instruction. She also has engaged in multiple training opportunities provided by the VIA Institute of Character in the areas of using character strengths at work, building effective teams and one-on-one strength based coaching. She has completed the advanced practice course, “Character Strengths Interventions.” Cindy also completed the Holistic Mastery Coaching Program through Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy. Cindy earned her master’s degree in social welfare from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Mount Mary University. She has received her lifetime certification as a School Social Worker and Early Childhood Teacher from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Cindy currently serves as a board member for Bloom360 Learning Community.

Her interests include reading, walking in nature, kayaking on warm sunny days, running, yoga, time with friends, empowering/inspiring others to be their best selves and planning experiences to share with her four adventuresome children.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Ghandi

Signature Strengths: Gratitude, Hope, Spirituality, Curiosity and Perspective

Her prior business experience includes leadership roles at several top tier marketing and public relations firms in Michigan. She also served as Director of Communications at a large independent school for different learners where she initiated a new community-based media relations program which resulted in 50 feature articles, several network television spots and a 30-minute cable television show.

Dawn has a journalism degree from Michigan State University. Her interests include kayaking the Fox River in her backyard, cheering for her two children as they pursue their interests and spending time outside with family, friends and her family’s lively dog, Riley.

“Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.” – Dr. Sukhraj Dhillon

Signature Strengths: Humor, Creativity, Social Intelligence, Honesty and Fairness

Andrea has over 20 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist. Prior to Bloom360, she has worked in a variety of settings including skilled nursing facilities, Fraser Child and Family Center in Minnesota, school-based practice in the Chicago suburbs, Giant Steps School in Illinois, and in pediatric outpatient practice at New Berlin Therapies. She also has consulted with Rogers Memorial Hospital for staff training on sensory processing, classroom design and sensory adaptations for the day treatment program. She has worked with children ages infancy through adulthood with a wide variety of neurological needs. Andrea also has past experience working with Special Gifts Theatre in Illinois, a non-profit theatre program that puts on major musical productions on stage for children with diverse needs. Andrea takes a special interest in sensory processing; not only learning more about the science behind it, but also helping others to understand their own sensory preferences and differences. She enjoys public speaking about the topic and helping families understand and recognize the impact that individual sensory differences can have on one’s own quality of life.

Andrea has a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of
Wisconsin Madison and a Minor Certificate in Gerontology.

Her interests include music (any and all kinds), taking weekly dance classes, yoga, kayaking, shopping, coffee/tea with friends and spending time with her loving husband and two creative and inspiring daughters.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Signature Strengths: Gratitude, Kindness, Love, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Curiosity and Zest

Nicci has more than 16 years of experience working with young children. She has always enjoyed and had a strong calling to work with children, from the times she would play school with her younger brothers and neighborhood friends to her babysitting days. As an early childhood teacher Nicci began working with preschool age children and over the years has grown her education, skills and knowledge to work with children with special needs. Working closely with the child, family and their child’s therapists/teachers, Nicci believes it is important to unite as a team. Nicci believes having a relationship with a child and family members helps one truly know them and their and their strengths and interests. Working from this perspective has helped Nicci to create the best approach to help each child learn and be successful.

Her interests include reading and crafting (thanks Pinterest). She enjoys drinking tea while cuddling with her cats and spending time with family and friends.

“Be the reason someone smiles today.”

Signature Strengths: Honesty, Love, Prudence, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Kindness

As a Learning Guide, Zach helps Learners grow in the five core elements of mind, body, spirit, social and emotional.  Zach completed PBL101 training from Project-Based Learning Works, which included a focus on the design, assessment and management of PBL. This approach is guided by a research-informed model of Gold Standard Project Based Learning, that sets a high bar for implementing rigorous, standards-based projects. This training and Zach’s natural hands-on approach helps him plan and deliver project-based learning, which is our main curriculum.

Zach has helped Learners expand their knowledge of bridges, golf course design, rockets, all kinds of animals as well as their emotions and feelings. He has a special ability in explaining and using hands-on activities to help Learners understand complex math concepts. Whether guiding Learners’ projects or nurturing a specific skill, Zach’s kindness shines through.

Zach has seven years of experience working with children and young adults as an adaptive personal trainer. As an adaptive personal trainer he acquired techniques to modify a variety of exercises and create personalized workout plans to assist his clients in reaching short and long-term goals. He was inspired by his clients to become an occupational therapy assistant. Zach completed clinical fieldwork at St. Francis Children’s Center, Goodwill Industries – Work Services Program, and West Allis Medical Center. During these clinical experiences he worked with children from infancy through adulthood with various neurological needs.

He has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Carroll University and an associate’s degree in occupational therapy assistant from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Zach earned the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by The State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Zach is a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout. His interests include the outdoors, spending time with family, playing and watching sports, hunting, and playing with his family dogs.

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne

Signature Strengths: Fairness, Kindness, Teamwork, Judgement and Prudence

At Bloom360, Laura’s goal is to create and expand on experiences for Learners to practice real-world learning at their own pace. She helps integrate the school’s social-emotional and project-based learning programs that support whole-child growth while interweaving their interests.

Prior to joining the Bloom360 team, Laura served as Program Manager for a local nonprofit serving young adults with special needs. In this role, she assessed the clients’ academic needs, created curriculum goals, facilitated academic learning and daily living skill enhancement, worked as a job coach in the community and communicated closely with families. In other prior roles, she taught as a special education teacher at the elementary and middle school levels. In both settings, she worked directly with students and provided insight, knowledge and collaborative guidance for general education teachers.

Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and holds a Lifetime Teaching License in K-12 Cross Categorical Special Education with an emphasis in Cognitive Development (CD) from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

She is an active volunteer in the community and has served as a Night to Shine Chaperone, Daily Living Skills and Respite Provider and led a fundraiser for an orphanage for children with special needs in Mexico.

Her interests include: Traveling, reading, drawing, spending time with her wonderful husband and two spirited and caring sons, drinking coffee and laughing with friends, practicing yoga and meditation and taking long walks with her four-legged best friend.

“Enjoy the space between where you are and where you are going.”

Signature Strengths: Kindness, Love, Humor, Honesty and Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence

At Bloom360, Jess serves as a Learning Guide, helping to support Learners to try new experiences and integrate the school’s social-emotional and project-based learning through a broad offering of customized learning opportunities.

She also works with individual Learners and small groups to offer music therapy based on the child’s interests and learning goals. Jess is instrumental in helping to inspire Learners and organizes two performance programs each year that showcase Bloom360’s Learners singing, dancing, playing instruments or other creative expressions. For some Learners this may their first time feeling ready and willing to participate in a performance. Jess identifies opportunities for each Learner to participate to the extent they feel comfortable, and often before long, the Learner feels ready to take on a larger part of the program.

For 13 years, Jess was a Music Therapist for a private clinic where she worked with children and adults in many settings, including clinics, schools, in-home, day care centers and adult day programs including providing music therapy to Bloom360 Learners twice a week since 2017. Her comprehensive experience over the past decade blends assessing individuals’ needs, creating music-based interventions, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, supervising music therapy college interns within clinical settings and evaluating individual progress.

Jess earned a Bachelor of Music – Music Therapy degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee and holds certifications as a Music Therapist – Board Certified (MT-BC) and Wisconsin Music Therapy Registry (WMTR),

Her interests include: Camping, spending time with family and friends, going for walks with her husband and her dog, Stella, cuddling her cats on a rainy day, traveling, and going to concerts.

“Almost all children respond to music. Music is an open-sesame, and if you can use it carefully and appropriately, you can reach into that child’s potential for development.” –Clive Robbins

Signature Strengths: Kindness, Love, Creativity, Gratitude, Hope

As an Assistant Learning Guide, Mikayla helps Learners grow in the five core elements of mind, body, spirit, social and emotional. She works with small groups of Learners to support their social emotional needs through individualized projects and activities which serve as practice grounds for growth.

Prior to joining the Bloom360 team, Mikayla gained experience at a VA Medical Center, as a Special Needs Aide for a child with a rare syndrome, as an anatomy and physiology tutor at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and as a volunteer leader for mission trips for high school students.

While earning her Associate in Applied Science – Occupational Therapy Assistant degree at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Mikayla served as vice president of the college’s Student Occupational Therapy Association. She is a member of two Honor Societies: National Technical Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Mikayla’s interests include binge-watching TV shows, art, traveling, spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and watching/going to baseball games (big Brewers fan)

“The things that make me different are the things that make me ME.” –Piglet (Winnie the Pooh)

Signature Strengths: Kindness, Love, Gratitude, Fairness and Humility

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

Signature Strengths: Kindness, Humor, Love, Gratitude and Teamwork

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’.” – Audrey Hepburn

Signature Strengths: Honesty, Humor, Kindness, Fairness, Teamwork, Love of Learning and Perseverance

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein

Signature Strengths: Spirituality, Love of Learning, Perspective, Creativity and Curiosity

“The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible.” – Charles Kingsleigh

Signature Strengths: Spirituality, Love of Learning, Fairness, Judgement, Honesty

“Life is tough, darling, but so are you.” – Stephanie Bennett-Henry

Signature Strengths: Love, Humor, Judgement, Humility and Honesty

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” – Walt Disney

Signature Strengths: Judgment, Humor, Forgiveness, Fairness, Love of Learning