A graduate of the Wayne State University of Law, Dennis Brescoll is a respected jurist and community contributor.
Before retiring in 2018, Dennis owned his own firm, fully handling all aspects of litigation in a plaintiff law firm. Advocating for clients in cases relating to employment discrimination, FMLA, civil rights, general liability and contractual cases.
He is an active community volunteer and board member, working with Adult Well-Being Services, Hope for Haiti, Capuchin Soup Kitchen and more.
Dr. LaVetta Pickens
Vice President and Board Recruitment
Dr. LaVetta A Pickens is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner board certified in Primary Care. She was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and received her education in the Detroit Public school system. She is a three time alum of Wayne State University’s College of Nursing where she received her Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees in the Science of Nursing. She is also a Certified Nurse Educator and currently pursuing Pediatric Mental Health certification through Ohio States’ Mental Health Fellowship Program.
Dr. Pickens has over 25 years of pediatric experience and enjoys caring for adolescent patients. In her current position she provides care to adolescent patients in Detroit Community Health Connection’s Healthy Teens Community Care Center, where she has been employed for more than 8 years. Healthy Teens Community Care Center provides care to adolescents from various backgrounds and partners with a variety of community agencies to provide care to underserved and homeless youth. She sees each visit as an opportunity to empower adolescents to make healthy lifestyle choices for both their physical and mental well- being. She takes her role as a health care provider seriously and considers it a privilege and a blessing to be doing such rewarding work.
Dr. Pickens is a member of several professional organizations including the National Association of Pediatric Nurses and Practitioners (NAPNAP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Sigma Theta Tau, The International Honor Society of Nursing. She precepts graduate students from multiple nursing programs and is a mentor to many new grads. When Dr. Pickens is not making a difference in the lives of adolescents in the clinical setting she is spending time with family and friends. She enjoys music, movies and bargain shopping.
Katy Noser
Treasurer
Katy Noser is a finance professional with 25+ years of experience including over twenty years at Ford Motor Company. She has worked in financial planning and analysis, managing budgets of all sizes, accurate and insightful financial and management reporting, capital strategy and investor relations. Katy is currently the founder of Priority Focus, a Fractional CFO company for small businesses.
Katy earned her B.A. at Colgate University with a focus on International Relations and an MBA from London Business School.
When not focused on Gianna House, Katy enjoys playing tennis and traveling.
Ryan Bowers
Secretary, Marketing/Social Media
Ryan Bowers is a results-oriented marketing professional with a passion for building a positive brand experience. With a rich background partnering with client relations, business development, and human resources, she understands how to convey a brand’s message in a variety of channels.
Ryan is Vice President of Branding & Engagement for JCG Associates, a woman-owned, Michigan-based promotional marketing practice. Prior to joining JCG, Ryan built her network and skillset working with Marsh McLennan Agency, Talk America, DTE Energy/MichCon and Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing.
Ryan is a hands-on contributor to her community working with a variety of non-profit groups including Inforum, Women of Tomorrow, and Gianna House.
Jamie Spriet
President Emeritus
With an expertise in healthcare, risk management, and sales, Jamie has established herself as a passionate advocate for building partnerships that benefit all involved.
During her career, Jamie founded Spriet Consulting, advising businesses and healthcare organizations on marketing and business development initiatives. Her expertise in this arena was developed over thirty years working with insurance carriers and health care providers including Marsh McLennan Agency, Health Alliance Plan (HAP), Delta Dental of Michigan, and SelectCare. She also spent spent eighteen years with Bon Secours Hospital (now part of Corewell) during which she held several roles including physician services, practice management/recruitment and clinical cytology.
Jamie is actively involved today with Gianna House, her church and other charitable organizations, including as a past board member for the Michigan Wellness Council. She earned her bachelor’s degree in allied health from University of Detroit Mercy and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Central Michigan University.
Jamie’s personal passions include her family, weight training, race walking, gardening and sailing with her husband. She also loves to cook and entertain using her family’s secret Greek recipes.
Cynthia A. Cockrel, Ph.D.
Board Member, Grant Advisor
Cynthia A. Cockrel has lived in and about the Detroit metropolitan area for more than half a century. A proud product of the Detroit Public Schools, Cynthia graduated from Mackenzie High School. Her academic preparation earned her a full scholarship to the University of Michigan. Subsequent to Cynthia’s undergraduate work, she pursued graduate studies at Wayne State University where she received advanced degrees in Mathematics Education and Instructional Technology. Dr. Cockrel retired from the Detroit Public Schools as the Executive Director of the Student Services and Data Management complex. Cynthia retired after devoting 42 years of service to the school district; 12 years as a secondary mathematics teacher, and 30 years in central office administration.
Cynthia’s professional experience includes service as a Board member for Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK), a professional education fraternity. Dr. Cockrel has held the offices of Treasurer and Membership Chair for the State of Michigan Chapter 1607. As a founding member of the chapter, Cynthia provided leadership in securing financial support for scholarship awards to students interested in pursuing careers in teacher education. Cynthia has extensive professional experience in working to serve the community in various capacities. Cynthia and her husband Jesse will celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary on January 15, 2024. Dr. Cockrel is honored to have been selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Gianna House.
Michael J. Fontana
Board Member
Michael J. Fontana has been originating residential mortgage loans throughout the state of Michigan for the last 30 years. Mike is an advocate for the mortgage banking industry having served as the first commissioned loan officer as President of the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Assn (MMLA) for the State of Michigan in 2003, President for the Southeast Michigan Chapter of MMLA in 2010 and is now back on the board for the SE Chapter of MMLA since 2015. He has also has served on most of the MMLA Committees.
Over the last decade, Mike was a state approved instructor for the NMLS, which oversees the education, registration and licensing of loan officers in the state of Michigan. Mike is also a very active volunteer and leader in the local community currently serving as a board member for Gianna House, Guest House, CARE of SE Michigan, Trinity Community Care, Friends of Macomb Township, Holy Cross Services, Macomb Health & Fitness Foundation, Young Catholic Professionals, Run Macomb and Run the Plank: 3 Miles of Faith. Mike is also very active at his church serving as a Eucharistic Minister and participating on the Parish Council, Finance Council, Strawberry Festival Committee, Fellowship Committee, Hospitality Committee and Knights of Columbus.
Mike is single, resides in Shelby Township and works in Farmington Hills.
Janielle Joseph, BSN, RN, CCM
Board Member
Team Leader, Your Dedicated Nurse Premium Care Management, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Currently, Janielle leads a team of Nurse Care Managers and enjoys having the privilege of helping members and their families manage their health conditions and social determinants of health. Janielle finds this “whole person” approach to healthcare very gratifying.
As a Registered Nurse for 11 years, Janielle has held positions as a Nurse Unit Educator and Assistant Clinical Manager at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She also has experience serving as a member of several hospital committees and chairperson for the inpatient hospital general practice council.
Janielle is happily married to a wonderful man and enjoys raising their two beautiful children. Janielle and her husband love to cook together, listen to music, and relax in their garden.
Dixon Kirkland III
Board Member, Facilities Advisor
Dixon is an accomplished commercial property and facilities manager skilled at communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders in senior management in private, non-profit, corporate, and educational settings. Dixon is Commercial Property/Asset Manager with Olympia Development of Michigan. Prior to joining Olympia, he held strategic facility management roles with Wayne State University.
In addition to Gianna House, Dixon is actively involved with the Detroit rowing community including as a coach for for Adult Recreational Rowing Programs and Mentor for Detroit High School Youth Rowing.
Fr. Stanley Pachla
Board Member and Spiritual Advisor
Fr. Stan was ordained a priest on December 10th 1983. He grew up in Detroit and is one of six children. He graduated from the University of Detroit with a degree in Education. Before entering the seminary he was a school teacher at Our Lady Help of Christians in north Detroit. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity from St. John’s Provencial Seminary in Plymouth. Fr. Stan has served in various parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit from Highland Park to Waterford. He has been the Pastor of St. Veronica for the past 20 years. Fr. Stan has been connected with Gianna House since it moved into the former convent on the grounds of St. Veronica Parish in Eastpointe.
Kateena Rickman
Board Member
Kateena is Strategic Partnership Representative Marketing & Community Outreach for Health Alliance Plan (HAP). In this role she builds and manages strategic relationships with identified partners with the goal of membership growth and retention. She also identifies opportunities
to educate partners and their audiences on key HAP initiatives on products that HAP offers. Prior to her role at HAP, Kateena worked with Aetna Insurance Company.
Kateena leverages her background in data management and relationship development to help Gianna House achieve its goals.
Colleen Thompson
Board Member
Colleen Thompson is an experienced automotive executive, having launched many winning products and built several Program Management Office (PMO) structures, including two internal startups for both Digital and Energy products.
Colleen is adept at engaging the right stakeholders to build synergistic solutions to challenging problems. She has worked across a multifunctional, multi-business unit structure to drive win-win solutions, building cross functional teams and coaching them to create better solutions together.
Knowing that nothing happens without a highly engaged and excellent team, Colleen’s greatest joy is in developing others.
Colleen is a community leader for non-profit startups. She has led teams to support her local food bank through large scale food collections, fundraising activities, and a community garden. She is most proud of the partnerships she facilitated between women in transitional housing and women leaders in her firm to help unhoused women move to independence. Most recently, she led CEO Roundtables for local business leaders, and helped them navigate through the many people and operational challenges of thriving through and beyond COVID.
As the principal of BridgeBuilding Strategies, Colleen helps small business and non-profit leaders articulate their strategy, upskill their teams, and support them through simple repeatable processes. She is the US Affiliate of Strategic Rebellion, providing strategic “what’s your ask” training worldwide. Colleen is licensed to provide award-winning training from Interaction Associates on effective facilitation.
Advisors
Gianna House is honored to be supported by a team of advisors who bring a diverse set of skills and big hearts to help us achieve our mission. Our advisors include:
Jan Getty, Licensure/State of Michigan Funding/Planning
Cynthia Greening
Tom Masson, Facility/Reconstruction
Christine Nathman-Parisi, Budget/Finance
John Tangalos, Finance/Strategic Planning
Cathy Valenza, CPA, former Board Treasurer
Maria Van Dyke, Hispanic Community Liaison
Staff
Joella E. Bush, LLMSW
Executive Director
Joella Bush is a native of the City of Detroit. She is a graduate of Oakland University where she earned her Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Child welfare. Joella later earned her Master of Social Work Degree with a MACRO concentration In Community Development, Policy, and Leadership from Wayne State University (WSU). She also received a certification in Human Services Management from the Network of Social Work Management also by way of WSU.
Joella is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and serves on various community building and action organizations such as the Michigan Action Legislation Committee amongst others. She has an extensive background in the human service field where her role has included various management and leadership positions as well as community organizing and outreach. She has lovingly worked with individuals with intellectual disabilities, chronic mental illnesses, and co-occurring disorders, those experiencing housing insecurity, disenfranchisement, and more specifically, women and children who feel as though they have no place turn.
Joella believes in ‘living within your purpose’ and “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. ~Ghandi
Contact Gianna House
We’d love to hear from you! Reach Gianna House by filling out the form below.
Please note: We are taking special care to ensure we are meeting the needs of our moms and babies, please allow 24-48 hours for a member of our team to respond to your inquiry.
Board of Directors
Dennis Brescoll, JD
President and Legal Advisor
A graduate of the Wayne State University of Law, Dennis Brescoll is a respected jurist and community contributor.
Before retiring in 2018, Dennis owned his own firm, fully handling all aspects of litigation in a plaintiff law firm. Advocating for clients in cases relating to employment discrimination, FMLA, civil rights, general liability and contractual cases.
He is an active community volunteer and board member, working with Adult Well-Being Services, Hope for Haiti, Capuchin Soup Kitchen and more.
Dr. LaVetta Pickens
Vice President and Board Recruitment
Dr. LaVetta A Pickens is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner board certified in Primary Care. She was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and received her education in the Detroit Public school system. She is a three time alum of Wayne State University’s College of Nursing where she received her Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees in the Science of Nursing. She is also a Certified Nurse Educator and currently pursuing Pediatric Mental Health certification through Ohio States’ Mental Health Fellowship Program.
Dr. Pickens has over 25 years of pediatric experience and enjoys caring for adolescent patients. In her current position she provides care to adolescent patients in Detroit Community Health Connection’s Healthy Teens Community Care Center, where she has been employed for more than 8 years. Healthy Teens Community Care Center provides care to adolescents from various backgrounds and partners with a variety of community agencies to provide care to underserved and homeless youth. She sees each visit as an opportunity to empower adolescents to make healthy lifestyle choices for both their physical and mental well- being. She takes her role as a health care provider seriously and considers it a privilege and a blessing to be doing such rewarding work.
Dr. Pickens is a member of several professional organizations including the National Association of Pediatric Nurses and Practitioners (NAPNAP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Sigma Theta Tau, The International Honor Society of Nursing. She precepts graduate students from multiple nursing programs and is a mentor to many new grads. When Dr. Pickens is not making a difference in the lives of adolescents in the clinical setting she is spending time with family and friends. She enjoys music, movies and bargain shopping.
Katy Noser
Treasurer
Katy Noser is a finance professional with 25+ years of experience including over twenty years at Ford Motor Company. She has worked in financial planning and analysis, managing budgets of all sizes, accurate and insightful financial and management reporting, capital strategy and investor relations. Katy is currently the founder of Priority Focus, a Fractional CFO company for small businesses.
Katy earned her B.A. at Colgate University with a focus on International Relations and an MBA from London Business School.
When not focused on Gianna House, Katy enjoys playing tennis and traveling.
Ryan Bowers
Secretary, Marketing/Social Media
Ryan Bowers is a results-oriented marketing professional with a passion for building a positive brand experience. With a rich background partnering with client relations, business development, and human resources, she understands how to convey a brand’s message in a variety of channels.
Ryan is Vice President of Branding & Engagement for JCG Associates, a woman-owned, Michigan-based promotional marketing practice. Prior to joining JCG, Ryan built her network and skillset working with Marsh McLennan Agency, Talk America, DTE Energy/MichCon and Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing.
Ryan is a hands-on contributor to her community working with a variety of non-profit groups including Inforum, Women of Tomorrow, and Gianna House.
Jamie Spriet
President Emeritus
With an expertise in healthcare, risk management, and sales, Jamie has established herself as a passionate advocate for building partnerships that benefit all involved.
During her career, Jamie founded Spriet Consulting, advising businesses and healthcare organizations on marketing and business development initiatives. Her expertise in this arena was developed over thirty years working with insurance carriers and health care providers including Marsh McLennan Agency, Health Alliance Plan (HAP), Delta Dental of Michigan, and SelectCare. She also spent spent eighteen years with Bon Secours Hospital (now part of Corewell) during which she held several roles including physician services, practice management/recruitment and clinical cytology.
Jamie is actively involved today with Gianna House, her church and other charitable organizations, including as a past board member for the Michigan Wellness Council. She earned her bachelor’s degree in allied health from University of Detroit Mercy and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Central Michigan University.
Jamie’s personal passions include her family, weight training, race walking, gardening and sailing with her husband. She also loves to cook and entertain using her family’s secret Greek recipes.
Cynthia A. Cockrel, Ph.D.
Board Member, Grant Advisor
Cynthia A. Cockrel has lived in and about the Detroit metropolitan area for more than half a century. A proud product of the Detroit Public Schools, Cynthia graduated from Mackenzie High School. Her academic preparation earned her a full scholarship to the University of Michigan. Subsequent to Cynthia’s undergraduate work, she pursued graduate studies at Wayne State University where she received advanced degrees in Mathematics Education and Instructional Technology. Dr. Cockrel retired from the Detroit Public Schools as the Executive Director of the Student Services and Data Management complex. Cynthia retired after devoting 42 years of service to the school district; 12 years as a secondary mathematics teacher, and 30 years in central office administration.
Cynthia’s professional experience includes service as a Board member for Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK), a professional education fraternity. Dr. Cockrel has held the offices of Treasurer and Membership Chair for the State of Michigan Chapter 1607. As a founding member of the chapter, Cynthia provided leadership in securing financial support for scholarship awards to students interested in pursuing careers in teacher education. Cynthia has extensive professional experience in working to serve the community in various capacities. Cynthia and her husband Jesse will celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary on January 15, 2024. Dr. Cockrel is honored to have been selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Gianna House.
Michael J. Fontana
Board Member
Michael J. Fontana has been originating residential mortgage loans throughout the state of Michigan for the last 30 years. Mike is an advocate for the mortgage banking industry having served as the first commissioned loan officer as President of the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Assn (MMLA) for the State of Michigan in 2003, President for the Southeast Michigan Chapter of MMLA in 2010 and is now back on the board for the SE Chapter of MMLA since 2015. He has also has served on most of the MMLA Committees.
Over the last decade, Mike was a state approved instructor for the NMLS, which oversees the education, registration and licensing of loan officers in the state of Michigan. Mike is also a very active volunteer and leader in the local community currently serving as a board member for Gianna House, Guest House, CARE of SE Michigan, Trinity Community Care, Friends of Macomb Township, Holy Cross Services, Macomb Health & Fitness Foundation, Young Catholic Professionals, Run Macomb and Run the Plank: 3 Miles of Faith. Mike is also very active at his church serving as a Eucharistic Minister and participating on the Parish Council, Finance Council, Strawberry Festival Committee, Fellowship Committee, Hospitality Committee and Knights of Columbus.
Mike is single, resides in Shelby Township and works in Farmington Hills.
Janielle Joseph, BSN, RN, CCM
Board Member
Team Leader, Your Dedicated Nurse Premium Care Management, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Currently, Janielle leads a team of Nurse Care Managers and enjoys having the privilege of helping members and their families manage their health conditions and social determinants of health. Janielle finds this “whole person” approach to healthcare very gratifying.
As a Registered Nurse for 11 years, Janielle has held positions as a Nurse Unit Educator and Assistant Clinical Manager at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She also has experience serving as a member of several hospital committees and chairperson for the inpatient hospital general practice council.
Janielle is happily married to a wonderful man and enjoys raising their two beautiful children. Janielle and her husband love to cook together, listen to music, and relax in their garden.
Dixon Kirkland III
Board Member, Facilities Advisor
Dixon is an accomplished commercial property and facilities manager skilled at communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders in senior management in private, non-profit, corporate, and educational settings. Dixon is Commercial Property/Asset Manager with Olympia Development of Michigan. Prior to joining Olympia, he held strategic facility management roles with Wayne State University.
In addition to Gianna House, Dixon is actively involved with the Detroit rowing community including as a coach for for Adult Recreational Rowing Programs and Mentor for Detroit High School Youth Rowing.
Fr. Stanley Pachla
Board Member and Spiritual Advisor
Fr. Stan was ordained a priest on December 10th 1983. He grew up in Detroit and is one of six children. He graduated from the University of Detroit with a degree in Education. Before entering the seminary he was a school teacher at Our Lady Help of Christians in north Detroit. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity from St. John’s Provencial Seminary in Plymouth. Fr. Stan has served in various parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit from Highland Park to Waterford. He has been the Pastor of St. Veronica for the past 20 years. Fr. Stan has been connected with Gianna House since it moved into the former convent on the grounds of St. Veronica Parish in Eastpointe.
Kateena Rickman
Board Member
Kateena is Strategic Partnership Representative Marketing & Community Outreach for Health Alliance Plan (HAP). In this role she builds and manages strategic relationships with identified partners with the goal of membership growth and retention. She also identifies opportunities
to educate partners and their audiences on key HAP initiatives on products that HAP offers. Prior to her role at HAP, Kateena worked with Aetna Insurance Company.
Kateena leverages her background in data management and relationship development to help Gianna House achieve its goals.
Colleen Thompson
Board Member
Colleen Thompson is an experienced automotive executive, having launched many winning products and built several Program Management Office (PMO) structures, including two internal startups for both Digital and Energy products.
Colleen is adept at engaging the right stakeholders to build synergistic solutions to challenging problems. She has worked across a multifunctional, multi-business unit structure to drive win-win solutions, building cross functional teams and coaching them to create better solutions together.
Knowing that nothing happens without a highly engaged and excellent team, Colleen’s greatest joy is in developing others.
Colleen is a community leader for non-profit startups. She has led teams to support her local food bank through large scale food collections, fundraising activities, and a community garden. She is most proud of the partnerships she facilitated between women in transitional housing and women leaders in her firm to help unhoused women move to independence. Most recently, she led CEO Roundtables for local business leaders, and helped them navigate through the many people and operational challenges of thriving through and beyond COVID.
As the principal of BridgeBuilding Strategies, Colleen helps small business and non-profit leaders articulate their strategy, upskill their teams, and support them through simple repeatable processes. She is the US Affiliate of Strategic Rebellion, providing strategic “what’s your ask” training worldwide. Colleen is licensed to provide award-winning training from Interaction Associates on effective facilitation.
Advisors
Gianna House is honored to be supported by a team of advisors who bring a diverse set of skills and big hearts to help us achieve our mission. Our advisors include:
Staff
Joella E. Bush, LLMSW
Executive Director
Joella Bush is a native of the City of Detroit. She is a graduate of Oakland University where she earned her Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Child welfare. Joella later earned her Master of Social Work Degree with a MACRO concentration In Community Development, Policy, and Leadership from Wayne State University (WSU). She also received a certification in Human Services Management from the Network of Social Work Management also by way of WSU.
Contact Gianna House
We’d love to hear from you! Reach Gianna House by filling out the form below.
Please note: We are taking special care to ensure we are meeting the needs of our moms and babies, please allow 24-48 hours for a member of our team to respond to your inquiry.