Wellness House Staff
Executive Director
Jeannie Cella, MS, LCPC, Executive Director
Jeannie Cella has been the Executive Director of Wellness House since September of 2000. Prior to holding that position, Jeannie served in multiple roles within Wellness House Program, beginning in 1990 when she worked as a student intern while working toward her Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology at Benedictine University. Throughout her tenure at Wellness House, Jeannie has served as Program Coordinator, Associate Director of Program and Program Director. Currently, Jeannie is also Treasurer of the Cancer Health Alliance of Metropolitan Chicago—an alliance of independent cancer support organizations in the Chicagoland area.
Programs
Lisa Kolavennu, LCPC, Clinical Director
Lisa is a licensed clinical professional counselor. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago. Lisa joined the staff of Wellness House in 2007 as the Director of Program Evaluation and became the Clinical Director in 2008. As the Clinical Director, Lisa oversees all of the programs at Wellness House, including development, evaluation, and outreach activities. Prior to Wellness House, Lisa worked in both hospital and community settings with individuals with chronic health issues. Lisa currently is a member of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society.
Michael Williams, PsyD, Program Associate
Michael has worked with people with cancer and their families since the early 1990’s at both Wellness House and in hospital settings. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, holding his Doctor of Psychology degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago. Michael runs weekly support groups including the Cancer Support Group, Living with Recurrent and Metastatic Cancer, and our Bereavement Groups. He also runs the monthly Lymphoma Networking Group and Something for the Guys. Michael conducts the Faith During Cancer series and the quarterly psycho-educational program, Essentials: Spirit. Michael is responsible for providing clinical supervision at Wellness House.
Tracy Lester, Program Associate; Healthy Living Coordinator
Tracy graduated with a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from Illinois State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education from the University of Illinois. Tracy is also an ACE Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Coach. Her past career experience includes working as a Wellness Program Manager, Corporate Wellness Coach, Fitness Coordinator and Personal Trainer. Tracy also worked for Illinois State University as a Teaching Assistant and the Lead Research Assistant for the Physical Education and Obesity Prevention Program. At Wellness House, Tracy facilitates exercise classes and coordinates the exercise, nutrition and wellness tune-up programs.
Marta Quist, Program Associate
Marta graduated with a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. Her past experience includes working as a research Associate DePaul University, and a Milieu Therapist at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Marta is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists and is certified in Beginning Power Pilates and Beginning Yoga through YogaFit organization. Marta facilitates various support and networking groups such as the Caregiver Support Group, Spirituality, Beginning Yoga and Pilates. Marta also coordinates the Creative Expressions program. Marta has experience working in clinical community settings and hospitals with a focus on psychotherapy.
Beth Possley, BS, Program Associate
Beth joined Wellness House in 2004. She has held positions in Development and Administration and currently assists in Program. Beth holds a BS in Dietetics.
Cece Cornell, Program Associate
Cece has worked in a variety of professional settings as nurse and social worker. She has more than 25 years of experience working with individuals touched by cancer, and other serious physical and mental illness. Her practice style involves establishing a non-judgmental therapeutic relationship or healing group environment where clients can safely explore concerns. Cece has a special interest in helping to promote individuals’ continued personal growth throughout the cancer journey. She has extensive experience companioning those who have experienced grief and loss. At Wellness House, she works with individuals and families in psychotherapy, and facilitates support groups. Cece holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago School of Service Administration and maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Chicago.
Valerie Piazza, RN,MA, LCPC, C-MI, Program Manager
vpiazza@wellnesshouse.org
Valerie’s strong belief in providing a more holistic approach to patients diagnosed with cancer led her to obtain a Master’s in Counseling in 2005 after working for 30 years as a nurse. Having worked at The University of Chicago Hospital’s Breast Center for 7 years, coordinating the care of newly diagnosed women, she is able to understand and incorporate both the physical and psychosocial aspects of working with her clients. She believes that treatment should include not only physical care, but also emotional, psychosocial and spiritual dimensions in order to heal and live fully wherever one is in their cancer journey. She works with people diagnosed with cancer, caregivers and bereaved individually, in addition to facilitating a variety of support groups.
Kraig Smiegowski, Program Associate
Kraig graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Loyola University with a concentration in providing mental health services. His past experience includes working with older adults in need of social services and employment. Kraig joined Wellness House in 2011 and is responsible for facilitating various support and networking groups.
Nicki Cordes, Program Marketing Associate
ncordes@wellnesshouse.org
Nicki graduated with a BS in Communications and Marketing from Bowling Green State University. Nicki has enjoyed spending a lot of her free time volunteering with The Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as The American Cancer Society. As program Marketing Associate, she is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with medical and community partners in order to increase awareness of and referrals to Wellness House programs.
Development & Marketing
Liten DeNaut, Senior Development and Marketing Manager
Liten graduated with a BA degree from Ripon College. Prior to Wellness House she served as Director of Development for the American Bar Foundation and Director of Philanthropy for Northwestern Memorial Foundation. Liten joined Wellness House in 2009 and is responsible for development and marketing efforts.
Finance & Administration
Marie Fahrenbach, CPA, Director of Finance and Human Resources
Marie graduated with a BBA in Accounting from St. Norbert College. Prior to Wellness House Marie served as VP – Controller for U.S. – Nielsen Market Research and was a public accounting and finance management at Baxter Healthcare and Dun & Bradstreet. Marie’s responsibilities include financial management for Wellness House and its Foundation; human resources, volunteer management; technology and facility oversight.
Lisa M. Hilgenberg, Manager of Volunteer Services
Lisa graduated with a Human Services and Child and Family Welfare degree at Lewis University. Before joining Wellness House Lisa served as the Call Center Supervisor at The National Runaway Switchboard and as Club Program Coordinator at Camp Fire USA Illinois Prairie Council and is an Ameri Corps Alumni. Lisa’s main responsibilities at Wellness House includes manager of volunteers, outreach, library and facility.
The Courtyard
Marna L. Slawson, Development Manager and Courtyard Liaison
Marna graduated with a B.S.N. degree from Alverno College, and an M.B.A. with emphasis in non-profit management from North Central College, Naperville, Illinois. Before joining Wellness House Marna served as the Executive Director at Cancer Support Center, Director of Administration and Assessment at Wellness House and Chief Operating Officer of Medicare Services, Crescent Counties Foundation for Medical Care. Marna’s responsibilities include managing the Courtyard volunteers and day to day operations.
