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Our Team
At the Bella Joy Foundation, we understand the pain and heartbreak that comes with experiencing a pregnancy loss or loss of an infant. Our team is made up of parents who have gone through similar experiences and are passionate about providing support and resources to those who need it most. We want you to know that you are not alone in your grief and we are here to help in any way possible.
Anthony Occhipinti
Co-Founder
Hello, I’m Isabella’s daddy. There are no words to describe the love that I have for my beautiful daughter, there are also no words to describe the pain of losing my baby girl. Through the pain and sorrow of losing a child, God has given my wife and I a passion to be a help to other parents and families who unfortunately go through this horrible experience. This foundation is in Isabella’s name and honors her, but serves those in need of support after losing a baby.
Tracy Occhipinti
Founder/Director ​
Hello, I'm Isabella's mom. Anthony and I have been married for 13 years, coming this July. We met in a Facebook group, started chatting as friends, and our friendship blossomed into something more. We lived in Jacksonville, Florida, for four years and then moved to Stanley, Wisconsin, where I'm originally from. We currently live in Chippewa Falls. Isabella was our first child, born when I was 40 years old. She has one furry brother, Grizzy, who is 17 years old. I currently work full-time as a Pharmacy Technician at the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Chippewa Falls, and I have been there since 2019. Anthony and I established the Bella Joy Foundation in honor of our beautiful daughter, Isabella, who sadly passed away shortly after birth. We understand the struggles of families who have gone through similar experiences and are passionate about helping them.
Jon Dircks
Director of Fundraising
Board Member
​
​Hello, My name is Jonathan Dircks.
I live in Thorp Wisconsin with my beautiful wife of almost 17 years Christin. We struggled for so many years with infertility and wanted to be parents so badly.
While we prayed and sought answers to our fertility issues, we continued to live our lives, just hoping one day we would get to know the joy of being parents.
In 2017 we were blessed with the ability to adopt our daughter, Charlee, from birth. We love that young lady, who is almost 8 years old, with all our hearts.
She is spunky, sassy, and a bit of a perfectionist but we are okay with that.
We continued down the journey, now as parents of a little girl, but still hoping to one day add an addition to our family. My wife became pregnant, but we lost our baby due to miscarriage, this was both heart wrenching and bittersweet time in our lives because it meant that there was hope that she could get pregnant again! Low and behold, she did become pregnant, and we welcomed our little boy in January of 2023. Addler Jon has
been a joy and we love him so much!
So, now, we are a family of 4. Are we done? God only knows. He writes our story. Our heart aches and hurts for those who struggle with infertility and for those who experience loss. I consider it to be a high honor to be apart
of the Bella Joy Foundation. My background in bookkeeping, business, and all-around fundraising guru make me excited to be apart of the Bella Joy Foundation team, and I am hoping to lend my help and support to take us to another level of success. What the Bella Joy Foundation is doing is not a “business” it is a purpose, and that is what I AM ALL ABOUT!
Amanda Koutney, RN
Secretary/Director
Hi, My name is Amanda & I’m so privileged to be a part of Bella Joy Foundation. I am praying for God to do amazing miracles through this foundation:::: above every dream ever imagined to bring hope to the hurting & grace for each journey. I am the wife to John & we have been happily married for over 6 years. We have a daughter together named Via (5), I have 3 daughters from a previous marriage: Ivy (24), Stori (19) & Blayre (18) & John has one son Dawson (24). John & I together are “Nana & Papa John” to our sweet grandbabes: Harper(4) & Eisley(2).
My family is my world. I have been an OB nurse for 20 years: in this profession… I have seen so many beautiful stories, but also people’s worst nightmares as Tracy & Anthony have experienced. I have never seen someone turn their whole tragedy into something incredibly beautiful and for this, alone: I’m so proud of Tracy. I officially met Tracy in December of 2023. I remember hearing her story & tragedy. I remember being heartbroken for her & Anthony with the tragic loss of their daughter, Isabella Joy. The day we met, I was like a child & literally asked her, “Can I be your friend?”::::
Part of me was imagining that she would never want to be a friend of an OB Nurse. I’m so glad Tracy took a chance on me & from that day forward; I feel as if we have been best friends our entire lives. I know Jesus gave us to each other to sift through the lows of life I am so confident that there will be many highs in our journey of friendship as well!
Ariel Olson
Board Member
Hi, I am Ariel Olson. I am married to my husband, Nathan. We have 3 children. Two here with us and 1 Angel baby in Heaven. We also have one dog, named Meeko! I have a passion for working with children and I am actively involved in my church’s children’s ministry. When I am not working as a center director at a local childcare or doing children’s ministry tasks, I love to travel. My favorite place is Clearwater Beach, FL! I am honored to be on the board of Bella Joy Foundation because infant loss is near and dear to my heart. Going through grieving a child gives you an understanding that no one else can have without losing a baby. I want to be able to help people going through a loss of a baby and give them the hope of Jesus!
Jessica Wnek, RN
Board member
Hi! I am Jess and Tracy & I have been friends our entire lives. We grew up together in Stanley and have remained close friends.
My work background is in nursing. I worked as an RN for HSHS Sacred Heart & St Joseph’s Hospitals until their closure in 2024. My nursing experiences include Neuro and med/surg, and for the past 7 years, I found my passion as an ER nurse.
Most recently, myself and my husband started and operate two adult family homes in Thorp.
I am a wife and a mother of 5 children earth-side. I have experienced miscarriage and the pain and complex emotions that comes with that. I am passionate about helping others and advocating for the hurting. As a devout Christian, I find my purpose in being the hands & feet of Christ to those in need.
I am so honored to be a part of the Bella Joy Foundation. I know God is going to use this foundation for His purpose, which is to love one another and bring hope to those in need. I am happy to be part of something that will bring so many local resources to families experiencing loss.
Kayla Meyer, RN
Board member
My name is Kayla and I was a labor and delivery nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, WI for 6 years. Here I coordinated pregnancy and infant loss resources and events and that is how I met sweet Isabella's parents, Tracy & Anthony. After the hospital closure's I continue to coordinate a pregnancy and infant loss resource called Share of the Chippewa Valley. As well as work for Mayo Hospice as an RN.
I have one daughter who is 5, and two babies in heaven with Jesus. I am so honored to be a part of the Bella Joy Foundation. It has been so humbling to witness Tracy & Anthony and their journey to hope and healing and find purpose with their pain. To honor Isabella's life by helping walk others through their grief by giving love, support, and hope. To let other families know, you are not alone. We are a community, and are stronger by encouraging and loving one another.
Grizzy Occhipinti
Mascot/Support
Hi, I'm Grizzy Occhipinti - Isabella's big brother. I'm a rescue dog and have been with my loving family for over 12 years. I'm sad I didn't get to meet Isabella, but I know she would have loved me and I would have loved her. I'm a 17-year-old senior dog, but I still love going for walks and exploring new sights and smells. When I'm not on a fun outing, you can usually find me curled up in my bed, snoozing or chowing down on some tasty treats.
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