Executive Leadership Team

Kelli O’Toole

President and CEO

Kelli O’Toole joined the Opportunity Tree as CEO in May of 2017. She has a diverse background in finance and non-profit leadership. Kelli is a passionate leader with success in organizational transformation based on data and outcomes.

Kelli began her non-profit career at Central Arizona Shelter Services in the finance department. In 2009 Kelli moved over to STARS (Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services) and served as their COO. While at STARS Kelli realized her true passion in the non-profit field was supporting and working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kelli leads The Opportunity Tree team in providing high quality, person-centered supports that focus on long-term sustainability and innovation. In addition to her role at The Opportunity Tree, Kelli also serves on the board of the Arizona chapter of The Association for People Supporting Employment First, is an AAPPD (Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilties) Executive Committee Member and is a graduate of Valley Leadership – Class 41.

Kelli earned her Bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master’s degree in Non-Profit Leadership. In her free time, she enjoys her family, traveling, cooking and eating.

Rachel Johnson

CFO

Rachel Johnson, the CFO at The Opportunity Tree in Phoenix provides oversight and management of the financial operation for the organization.

Rachel has specialized in non-profit accounting and management since 2005, having spent 9 years working with organizations serving people experiencing homelessness and 4 years with arts and education organizations.

In addition to her work at The Opportunity Tree, Rachel enjoys working with small non-profits during their financial startup to ensure their future success.

Neal Hallihan

Director of Operations

Neal Hallihan began his service at The Opportunity Tree in 2019 as the Employment Services and Youth Transitions Program Manager and was quickly promoted to the Director of Operations. Neal has over 15 years of experience working with people of all ability levels in various capacities including; employment, inclusion and instruction services.

Neal’s most rewarding experience has been the opportunity to be a part of a social movement that inspires our world to operate with acceptance and no limitations.

Neal holds a Master’s degree from ASU in Social Justice and Human Rights, Non-Profit Organizational Leadership.

Raylah Pillar

Director of Site-Based Programs

Raylah joined The Opportunity Tree in January 2021 as the Special Projects Coordinator and soon became the Program Manager of Employment & DTA Services at the Avondale campus. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, a Master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis in Policy, Administration, & Community Practice, and a graduate certificate in Disability Studies.

The core of Raylah’s social work practice is the disability rights motto, “nothing about us without us.” Each day, she endeavors to center the voices of people with disabilities in conversations and decisions about their own lives. Concepts like bodily autonomy, informed consent, and disability justice are incorporated into her work to create spaces for people with IDD to engage in more comprehensive higher education, healthy relationships, personal advocacy, and collective policymaking.

Sabrina Forrest

Assistant Director - casa grande

Sabrina Forrest has been a member of The Opportunity Tree team since 2015 and currently serves as the Assistant Director of both our Casa Grande site and Community Living settings.

Sabrina started working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 1993 in New York State as a Direct Care Counselor.

Taylor Buttrey

Director of Development

Taylor Buttrey joined the team at The Opportunity Tree as the Creative Arts Program Manager in 2018 and became the Director of Development in 2021. He made the transition to the non-profit sector in 2014 through Public Allies of Arizona, an AmeriCorps program that seeks to assist organizations to increase service capacity

Before entering the non-profit sector Taylor worked as a custom frame designer, gallery associate and digital studio assistant.

Taylor currently serves on Scottsdale Arts’ Learning and Innovation Committee, as well as the board of Detour Company Theatre. He earned his BFA in Photography from The Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2010.

Nicole Macko-RanAllo

Director of Community Living

Nicole joined The Opportunity Tree in June 2022 and currently serves as the Program Director of Community Living. Nicole joined The Opportunity Tree with 15 years of experience in the ID/DDD field. Having developed in the field from DSP to Director, Nicole prides herself on “Having done the job”.

The belief that quality services start with quality staff is the cornerstone to Nicole’s practice in the ID/DDD field. In her career Nicole has certified over 2,000 DCW and has over 7,000 hours of facilitation and leadership development. Nicole is a Lead Instructor for Article 9 and Prevention and Support, holds affiliations or accreditations with the National Task Group (Dementia Capable Care), Wiley DiSC, Be Safe (Police & Member training).

Pursuing her passion, Nicole presented an original leadership training program at 2014 Arizona SSCIP Conference, lead and original “Working with Children with Autism” seminar at the 2016 After School Conference. Nicole served as Chair in the DCW Alliance 2019-2022, co-chair of the I-AADAP Communication and Policy Committee 2019-2022.