Board of Directors
Blake Roberts Crall, Board President
I have been part of the Red Caboose community since 2021, when my family moved to Madison, and my two kids enrolled in the preschool program. I am originally from California and grew up bouncing around overseas, and am honored to now call Madison home and to be raising my kids here. Early education and childcare is the backbone of our society, and I am proud to be part of Red Caboose, which is a leader in this field. In my professional life, I am the Program Manager for the Madison Forward Fund, the city’s guaranteed income pilot. My work has mostly focused on economic justice and social welfare policies. In my free time I love reading fantasy and sci-fi books, doing pottery, and being a goofball with my kids.
Phil O’Leary, Board Treasurer
I currently operate my family farm in Rock County Wisconsin and am an emeritus University of Wisconsin-Madison engineering professor. I am an agricultural and environmental engineer. As Engineering Professional Development chair, I coordinated outreach programs across a wide range of engineering disciplines. I also created and directed, the Camp Badger Engineering Summer Program, a large middle school experiential learning initiative.
Chris Sewell, Board Vice President
I am the father of two boys who have been lovingly cared for by the extraordinary staff of Red Caboose. Having grown up in the Madison area and lived in the neighborhood since 2016, I have been seeking ways add to value to this lovely community which I call home. I am lucky to serve my neighborhood as the Red Caboose Board Vice President. I am an amateur photographer, cyclist, general lover of the outdoors and sauna enthusiast. In my day job, I serve in a non-partisan role as the Administration Manager for the Legislative Technology Services Bureau.
Audrey Conn, Board Member
I am a Clinical Professor and Director of Field Education in the School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I have been since 2008. My practice interests are transracial and transcultural adoption, relative adoption, kinship care, foster care, advocacy, strength-based services for children and families, and child welfare policy.
KC Gilbertson, Staff Liaison to the Board
I have a social work degree and have been working with children and families for many years including as a Site Supervisor and Camp Director with Red Caboose since 2008.
Cheryl Heiman, Staff Liaison to the Board
I have been a teacher with Red Caboose since 1974 and have been the Lead Teacher in the Turtle Room for most of those years. Things have changed over the years, but our commitment to providing exceptional care and early childhood education continues.
Becky Mather, Board Member
I am the the Prevention Education Specialist for the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board. I am responsible for overseeing the Prevention Board’s professional development activities, identifying new programmatic initiatives, provision of technical assistance, oversight of statewide protective factors dissemination efforts, and facilitating the Prevention Board’s role in state Family Resource Center infrastructure development. I have a master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and have been working with children and families in different capacities for more than 20 years. I live with my husband, dog, two horses and barn cat in rural Green County. I am the proud mom of three adult children and Nana of two wonderful granddaughters.
Scott Coleman, Board Member
I hold a Masters of International Public Affairs from the La Follette School of Public Affairs at University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a B.S. in International Studies and Public Affairs from UW-Madison. I am motivated by a personal willingness to learn and gain experience in new surroundings to better myself, and a desire to be a part of the solutions to the problems I see every day.
Leadership Team
Lisa Fiala, Executive Director
I have been with Red Caboose for nearly 18 years in various roles including School Age Program Director, and Project Administrator. Now I’m back in the role of Executive Director. I am passionate about high-quality care and education for all of the children in our community which creates a diverse, inclusive environment!
Wendy Rakower, Director Emeritus
I served as the Executive Director at Red Caboose for many years. I am grateful to continue to support Red Caboose’s development efforts.
Lindsey Osburn, Preschool Program Director
I am a dedicated early childhood educator with over a decade of experience, who thrives on making meaningful connections with children and their families. With an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and credentials in Leadership, Program Development, and Administration from UW-Platteville, I have spent 11 years in the field, 10 of which have been devoted to one center before it sadly had to close. My passion lies in being a support for the young minds we care for and their families, guiding them through every journey they undertake. At home, I cherish my role as a wife to my husband, Rob, celebrating a decade of marriage, and a devoted mother to our two children, Braxton, 8 and Waverly, 5. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy expressing her creativity through drawing, coloring, painting and other creative outlets. However, the true heartbeat of the Osburn household is our shared love for baseball, GO CARDINALS!
Robby Schiller, School-Age Program Director
Robby takes fun very seriously. He has worked with young people for over 20 years (which means he was basically a kid when he started). Whether teaching Kindergarten, after-school, summer camp or alternative High School, there has always been a simple common thread: It should be fun to be a child. He has a daughter in the Turtle Room and loves being a Red Caboose parent just as much as he loves being on the team.
Administrative Team
Jennifer Roughen, Billing Coordinator
Joining the administrative team at Red Caboose is an opportunity to combine my accounting experience and my child care experience. I am also utilizing my childcare nutrition experience to support our Nutrition Program. I am looking forward to working with and supporting all of our Red Caboose families.
Nutrition Program
Lexi Treasure, Nutrition Coordinator
I went to UW Steven’s Point with a degree in Sustainable Food and Nutrition, so a nutritionist with a save the planet emphasis :). in my free time i like to read and play video games or wander the woods with my dog, Rebel. I love my dog so much. he’s a red heeler (like bingo!) and he keeps me active every day.
Ally Phillips, Assistant Nutrition Coordinator
My name is Ally and I’m currently the Assistant Nutrition Coordinator. I’m currently a senior at UW-Madison studying Dietetics and Nutrition. A few of my hobbies include reading and working out.
Enrollment
Evelyn Villa, School Age Enrollment Coordinator
I have been with Red Caboose for just about 3 years now, and I love it. I am the after school enrollment coordinator and an afterschool teacher. One of my favorite things about our afterschool program is hearing all about the kids’ days, as well as the new bonds they create with other kids during program. My favorite go-to activity during program is kickball! Outside of work, I like to cuddle and play with my dog Rocky who is a Great Pyrenees mixed with an Australian Shepherd.
Erica May, Child Care Enrollment Coordinator
I have been working with Red Caboose for almost two years now, beginning as a Camp Caboose Comet Captain (how’s that for alliteration?) and recently, the Enrollment Coordinator for the childcare center (at the front desk, come say hi)! . My favorite activities to do during afterschool at Marquette are crafts, particularly anything involving a hot glue gun and rhinestones. I graduated from UW-Madison in 2024 with a degree in Sociology and Ed. Policy. Outside of Red Caboose, I love to read, watch reality tv shows, bike, and downhill ski. I am so excited to continue to work with the wonderful families of Red Caboose!
