Jamie Stilling-Stepp, Founder & Board President

Jamie is a wife and mother of four sons and two step-sons, and has over fifteen years of experience caregiving for and working with individuals with developmental and other disabilities. She grew up on a farm and later owned and operated Prairie Tree Landscape Center for twenty years. Through Prairie Tree, Jamie gained many valuable insights and experience in managing businesses effectively and successfully. For several years, Prairie Tree was rated among the top 10 percent of landscape companies in Wisconsin. Jamie discovered early on that her true purpose in life is to Plant Possibilities in the lives of all who cross her path. Jamie is also CPR and AED certified.

Heather Leasure, Executive Director

Heather started as another one of our Horticulture Specialists in January of 2021. She loves working at Seeds Of Hope and helping with our horticulture program, planting, and teaching participants. Heather graduated with degrees in Ornamental Horticulture and Business Administration from UW Platteville. She grew up on a farm, and has experience at a landscape company, Pharmacy Cooperative, and even owning her own daycare. In her free time, Heather enjoys gardening, traveling, camping, exercising, hiking, almost any sort of crafting, reading, volunteering, and wrangling her two sons.

Corbin moon, CNA & Caregiver

“I’ve been with Seeds of Hope almost 8 months I started in July of 2022.

I’m a caregiver and CNA at Seeds and I enjoy taking care of people.

I also enjoy helping with teaching. I enjoy working out in my free time.”

Katie wright, horticulutre manager & caregiver

Katie joined the Seeds of Hope community in the beginning of May 2022.

She works mostly with the work portion of the program such as helping clients engage in the plants SOH grows and all the projects involving with planting.

What does Katie enjoy about Seeds of Hope? “I really enjoy the combination of working with our clients because they’re amazing people. I also love how much I get to spend outside and seeing clients grow and what their special gifts are.

In her free time, Katie loves doing activities like Do-It-Yourself projects like making soap, in addition to canning foods, watching movies and going for walks, hiking and gardening.

Kelly McDermott Therapuetic horticulture manager

Kelly has been with Seeds of Hope since January 2020 and is our Therapeutic Horticulture Manager. She found a love for working with special needs through volunteering with the Lake Geneva Dream Team. Now, at Seeds of Hope, Kelly utilizes Horticulture to create a fun and enabling environment for all. She plans purposeful Horticulture activities personalized to suit the needs and long-term goals of clients. Kelly has earned a degree in Horticulture from Gateway Technical College and is currently studying Horticulture Therapy at the University of Florida. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In her free time, she loves to be outside hiking, skiing, and skating with her daughter.

Lisa Bunne, Library & activities Coordinator

Lisa started at Seeds Of Hope in February of 2021. She currently lives in Elkhorn with her husband and has two grown boys. She has years of experience working with adults with disabilities, as well as a love for gardening for the past 25+ years. Previously employed at Inspiration Ministries, Lisa enjoys taking special needs adults to social outings, shopping trips, church services, Special Olympics events, and helping with occupational transportation needs.

“I’m deeply motivated to help each person thrive, become more independent, and live a life with purpose. Seeds Of Hope is a great organization that provides opportunities for special needs adults and I’m very excited to be part of the team.”

Shelly Bourdo, Culinary Specialist & Caregiver

Shelly has been with Seeds Of Hope since August of 2019, and started out as a caregiver. As she really has a heart to teach and bake, she became our Culinary Specialist in February of 2021. She finds joy in helping our participants to learn new skills in the kitchen, as they produce delicious treats to be sold in our community. She is a Certified Food Protection Manager, ensuring that all products made in our commercial kitchen will comply with all applicable laws and standards. Shelly previously worked at a day program for adults with special needs for several years, before taking time off to raise and home-school her two children. She has also volunteered every summer since 2013 at a day camp for children with special needs. In her free time, Shelly enjoys gardening, cooking, baking, outdoor activities, resale shopping, and spending time with her family and pets.

Pam olivas Person, caregiver & administrative assistant

Pam started Seeds of Hope in February of 2022. She works as a caregiver and helps with billing and learning.

What does Pam enjoy about Seeds of Hope? “I enjoy that we’re almost like a family. I love seeing the growth in all the clients. I love the life skills people are learning from teaching.”

In her free time, Pam enjoys camping, watching her kids’ sports and hiking.

Hunter O’Laughlin, graphic designer

Hunter started Seeds of Hope in 2018 working as the muralist for the living room and later as an intern helping with labels and small print jobs He also created the PWR t-shirt in 2021 and PWRD t-shirt in 2022. He became an employee in 2022 and is responsible for designing and producing all of the marketing materials including Facebook post, brochures, fliers and our annual report . Hunter has an associate’s degree in graphic design from Gateway Technical College and has worked as a graphic design intern for other clients like with Elkhorn Options and Burlington School District. He is a very skilled artist and is always obliged to help with any graphic related projects to spread awareness and the message of Seeds of Hope.

terri dellamaria, marketing & Caregiver

Terri has been involved with Seeds of Hope as a board member since 2019 and joined the staff as a caregiver and marketing coach in October of 2022.

“I enjoy an abundance of things about Seeds of Hope! I love the feeling of connecting with clients & being able to help make their day the best it can be.'

In my free time I teach fitness classes and love to bike, knit, cook and hang out with my family and friends visiting new places.”

Sherry elmer, assistant culinary specialist

Volunteer with the culinary program.

Been with Seeds of Hope since July 2022.

“I love working with our clients and seeing them grow as they discover their baking skills. They give back to me much more than I give them. Seeds of Hope is a loving community, the staff is awesome and caring and this is a great example for the clients and is rooted in their lives.”

Hope Joseph, cna & Caregiver

Hope started Seeds of Hope in September in 2022.

What does she enjoy about Seeds of Hope? “How much love staff and the client give outside of Seeds of Hope. I feel included in the Seeds of Hope team.”

In her free time, Hope likes to go on bike rides, take her dogs for walks, bowling and track for the Special Olympics.

Christine Moon, Caregiver

Christine started at Seeds in March of 2023.

She likes Seeds to work with the clients and see the, grow.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, cleaning and dates with her husband.

Barb Nienas, registered nurse & caregiver

Barb started Seeds of Hope in September 2022.

What she enjoys most about Seeds of Hope is working on a team with staff and clients.

In her spare time she spoils her grandchildren and spending time at her cabin. She is an avid outdoors person.

Richard bierman, driver

Richard joined SOH in September of 2022.

He likes SOH because it does so much for handicapped children of our community.

In his spare time, he likes spending time with his family, and collecting old baseball memorabilia.

Lily hamilton, caregiver

“I love Seeds because of the warming & welcoming environment and the clients are awesome!

In my free time I love working out and just recently an EMT course and aspire to be in the medical field, so I love learning and prioritizing my health!”

Started Seeds of Hope in November of 2023.

Lily Bates, Horticulture manager & caregiver

part-time, Seasonal, volunteer & Intern Opportunities

Seeds Of Hope also offers many opportunities for part-time and seasonal staff, volunteers, or student interns. We want to ensure that everyone feels welcome within our community, and we rely on a well-rounded team to accomplish that goal. We are always happy to welcome more to our community.

Email us at info@seedsofhopewi.org to learn more!

We Plant Possibilities.