Bloom’s Board of Directors
Rachel Monaco, JD
President since 2024 and founding member since 2021
Rachel K. Monaco, JD (Marquette University Law School, magna cum laude) Honors BA English/Theology (Marquette University) has practiced law and taught in the United States for 20 years, working with trafficked persons, victims of sensitive crimes, individuals with disabilities, as well as owning a private practice in wealth succession, estate planning and philanthropy. Winner of numerous awards, she is known for her innovative survivor-empowerment work to combine creative writing and art therapy with legal and social justice advocacy. She is the founder of LOTUS Legal Clinic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She enjoys world travel, ultrarunning, and breeding Hungarian Vizslas. She lives on a small farm in Wisconsin and also on the South Shore of Lake Superior. Rachel is a founding member of Bloom as a nonprofit, and her Board service is rooted in her passion for the transformative power of artmaking and expression. She believes art therapy is a public health game-changer for accessible, economical, effective mind-body-spirit wellness and personal power that can help people change their own lives and in turn, benefit their communities.
Erionia Dixon, LPC
Vice President and Founding member since 2021
Erionia (Air-e-ona) Dixon, she/her/hers, is a Licensed Professional Counselor born, raised, and serving the Milwaukee, WI area. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Alverno College in Liberal Studies, master’s in human services at Springfield College and is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership with a concentration on social justice. Erionia specializes in managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia. Erionia has extensive training and experience using CBT, TFCBT, solution focused, person centered and motivational interviewing. Erionia serves on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee at Lutheran Social Services of WI & Upper MI in an attempt to create belonging for diverse communities being served as well as employees providing services. Erionia takes great pride in advocating for the overall healing of generations through psychoeducation, culturally responsive interventions, and celebrating the infinite worth of each individual she encounters. As a Bloom board member, Erionia hopes to provide creative ideas for expansion, remain grounded in the mission, contribute to the culture, and additional support as needed to increase knowledge around the art therapy modality.
Brandon Malacara
Treasurer since 2023
Brandon brings two decades of experience working alongside creatives to launch and support their passions and ideas into financially and socially sustainable businesses. His experience spans the entertainment, food & beverage, and design & branding industries.
Brandon currently serves as the Director of Operations at Zero Studios where he is a partner and oversees accounting, finance, human resources and the random in-betweens. His passions include environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and his family. He also serves his community as a leader in Scouting and as an elections inspector.
Brandon believes in the importance of creative expression in the well-being of the individual and community as a whole. Bloom’s presence as a leader in community art therapy is invaluable and it is with great pleasure that he serves on the board of directors.
Aaron Bernstein
Member since 2022
Aaron is a native of Milwaukee who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Marquette University Law School in 2002. He lives in Bayside with his Wife, two children, and their rescue Hound, Mabel. For the last 20 plus years, Aaron has been involved with multiple local non-profit organizations, sitting on the Board of Directors of four of them. In the legal field, Aaron has a bias towards action, providing strategic litigation advice, and inspiring creative solutions to clients’ existing, and potential challenges.
Genita Walker
Member since 2024
Genita is highly motivated to provide creative means to help the Milwaukee community. She is educated by life, Mount Mary University, and motherhood. As an artist, published author, performer, spoken-word poet, Genita understands the healing potential of creative expression. Her art practice and community focus have helped her overcome some of life’s most challenging circumstances. Genita is a positive community leader who has received recognition and multiple awards for Neighborhood Services, art, and writing.
Daiana Szef
Member since 2024
Daiana Szef is a graduate of Marquette University and has been part of the financial industry since 2015, holding various roles at JPMorgan Chase. She is currently a Banker at JPMorgan Private Bank, where she specializes in working with business owners in Wisconsin. Daiana helps clients thoughtfully plan their wealth, focusing on investment portfolios, estate planning, philanthropic giving, family governance, and more.
Daiana volunteers at various non-profit organizations throughout the year, including at Hunger Task Force, Boys & Girls Club, and Kinship Community Food Center.
She resides in Milwaukee with her husband and two Goldendoodles. Originally from Moldova, Daiana moved to the United States at the age of 10 and is fluent in both Russian and English.
In her free time, Daiana loves to travel, cook, read, and make sourdough bread. She is passionate about ensuring access to fresh, healthy food and prioritizing mental health.