Barbara Gessner, a retired nurse, has served on the AgeBetter, Inc.,  board of directors since 2008 representing Oakwood Village. Barbara has been an active SAIL member since inception of the program in 2005. She participated in focus groups prior to the formation of SAIL and decided to join since the idea of people helping one another interests her. In addition to board and committee work for AgeBetter, Barbara volunteers as a driver for fellow SAIL members and has served on the SAIL Council as its president.

Following graduation from Milwaukee Hospital School of Nursing, she moved to Madison and worked at University Hospitals while completing a BS in nursing. Then she taught refresher courses to inactive RN’s throughout Wisconsin. After a Master’s degree in Nursing, she worked as a clinical nurse specialist in Connecticut. She returned to Madison to join the faculty of Nursing Extension while pursuing a PhD in Adult Education. In 1985 she joined the faculty of the School of Nursing at UW- Madison, retiring in 2001.

Barbara’s other volunteer activities include serving on the Oakwood Village Board of Directors, volunteering at Oakwood, and helping with many events at her church as well as serving on its board of directors, and is a longtime member of the West Side Optimist Club.

Michelle Godfrey joined Attic Angel Community in February 2022 as the President and CEO. Michelle has worked in senior living since 2005—primarily in leadership roles at Oakwood Village and Marquardt Management Services (MMS). Her most recent roles at MMS included developing a new campus in Fitchburg and also serving as a Campus Administrator at St. Elizabeth Nursing Home in Janesville and Sinsinawa Mound in Hazel Green.

Michelle serves on the LeadingAge WI Board and enjoys being able to advocate for and with many great non-profit organizations in Wisconsin.

Michelle holds an undergraduate degree in Fitness Management from Carroll College and a graduate degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Janice (Jan) Hamilton-Crawford joined Oakwood Village at Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in October 2023. Jan was most recently employed by Trinity Health Senior Communities from March 2018 to January 2023. Trinity Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving communities across the country. From 1987 to 2017, Jan was employed by CHRISTUS Health System—an international faith-based, not-for-profit health system.

Jan is a Fellow and past Board member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a member and past Board member of the American Hospital Association, and Elder Care Committee Member of the Catholic Health Association.

Jan has a BBA and MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio Texas.

Debby Ochoa joined Oakwood Village in 2021 as Talent Acquisition and Human Resources Director. Debby has spent over 20 years in Human Resources, working for organizations including Starbucks, American Girl, and Pacific Cycle. She also has been certified to teach leadership workshops including James Autry’s Servant Leadership, Paul Hersey’s Situational Leadership, Franklin Covey’s FOCUS, and several Starbucks leadership training workshops, covering financial acumen, staffing, and performance management.  Debby brings expertise in talent development and talent acquisition.

Debby holds a BFA from Chapman University, a Master of Science in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University, along with a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certificate through HRCI and a Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Senior Certified Professional certificate. Debby is active in the community, volunteering with Madtown BMX, Centro Hispano, and the First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee.

Meredith represents the Attic Angel Association (AAA) on the AgeBetter Board. Meredith joined AAA as a volunteer Angel in 2012 and currently serves on the Association board as well as the Martha’s Vineyard Museum board as Treasurer. In addition, she has volunteered extensively as a tutor in local schools and also as a reader to pre-school children.

Kristen Peterson grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where she met her husband. His position on a Navy Carrier took them all over the country before they landed in Madison in 1994. They have two children and four grandchildren. Kristen has spent many hours volunteering for Attic Angels and is a member of PEO. She is excited to be part of this exciting venture!