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.
Cheryl V. Hurst, PsyD, Senior Program and Research Associate
Cheryl graduated with the degree of Doctor of Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Cheryl is a licensed clinical psychologist. Cheryl is a member of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society. Cheryl initiated a relationship with Wellness House in 1999 during her doctoral training, and later joined the staff in 2002. Cheryl conducts outcome assessment and program evaluation at Wellness House. She also leads educational skill-building sessions for people and families new to cancer, and facilitates networking groups.
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.
Mary J. Sinclair, Program Associate; Healthy Living Coordinator
Mary is an ACE Personal Fitness Trainer, a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner and Instructor, and is also trained in Holistic Stress Management and Interactive Guided Imagery. She has 20 years experience as an university level educator in courses in fitness, wellness, and stress management. At Wellness House, Mary facilitates exercise classes, the Managing Weight Gain series, and Guided Imagery. She also provides Healing Touch sessions, orients new exercisers, and oversees the nutrition programs.
Betsy Rubenstein, LCSW, MS, Family Matters Program Associate
Betsy Rubenstein graduated from Loyola University in Chicago with a Master’s degree in Social Work and graduated from Erikson Institute with a Master’s degree in Child Development. Her prior career experience includes a variety of positions working directly with children and families in hospital, academic, and agency settings. Betsy coordinates and facilitates the Family Matters Programs at Wellness House.
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.
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.
Kate Fortney, Development and Marketing Associate
Kate graduated with a BA degree from Mount Union College in 2009. Kate joined Wellness House in July 2009 and her responsibilities include development, special events and marketing initiatives.
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.
