OUR TEAM
At Upscale Assessment, our team is dedicated to providing the best web-based software to our educators and students. We have a group of highly skilled dental educators, software architects and IT professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that our software meets the highest standards of quality and reliability. Our team is passionate about helping dental hygiene students succeed, and we are committed to providing individualized assessment to help students achieve their goals.
Sara Taft, CEO
Sara has been a dental hygienist since 2003. She earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene, followed by a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Dental Hygiene. She later completed her master’s degree in Allied Health, with an emphasis in Administration and Education.
Sara has been a dental hygiene educator within the Wisconsin Technical College System since 2006. Throughout her career in education, she has progressed from adjunct faculty to full-time faculty, serving in several leadership roles, including Clinical Coordinator, Facilitator, and Program Coordinator.
Jeff Nelson, CTO
Jeff is a seasoned software developer with over 20 years of experience. He spent a decade at Cardinal Stritch University as Assistant Director of Enterprise Systems and taught software development courses. Afterward, he moved into Higher Education consulting and custom software development. At Covetrus, he served as a Software Architect, leading the design of complex cloud-based enterprise systems for the Animal Health industry and mentored over 100 developers.
Mary Belter, Lead Support Engineer /
Application Developer
Mary graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cardinal Stritch University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Strategic Management Information Systems. With more than 10 years of experience in the IT field, she has worked with software and web applications in roles focused on support, analysis, development, and integrations. Outside of work, Mary enjoys cheering on her nieces’ and nephew’s sports teams, supporting the Milwaukee Brewers, and spending quality time with family, friends, and her cat, Gabers.
Sheniah Ferguson, Application Support / Software Developer
Sheniah joins Upscale Assessment as an Application Support/Developer, bringing along an academic foundation in Information Systems as well as an extensive background in enterprise application support. Her interest in technology and problem-solving led her into the field, where she enjoys exploring emerging technologies and finding practical ways to improve systems and user experiences.
Outside of work, Sheniah enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and creative hobbies such as painting and sewing.
Jamie Klap, On Boarding Specialist
With over 13 years of experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist, Jamie has developed a strong foundation in clinical practice, patient care, and oral health education. Her passion for dental hygiene and education led her to transition into teaching, and she now serves as the Program Director for both the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs in Michigan. Jamie holds a Doctor of Education in Health Professions from A.T. Still University. Outside of her professional work, she is deeply committed to helping others and embraces lifelong learning.
Emma Kresken, Data Entry Specialist
Emma has experience in both health care and data entry. She utilizes both fields to harness quality data preparation for our team. Emma works on both the Assessment side and the Dental Chart side of Upscale. Outside of work, Emma has a Technical Diploma in the study of Horticulture, as that is one of her passions; she also enjoys spending free time with her children.
Ethan Smith, Application Support / Developer
Ethan is Upscale Dental's application/support developer. He graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with experience in IT support and a degree in design. His technical proficiency and drive to learn new skills led him to supporting Upscale Dental users. Outside of work, he does photography and 3D design, volunteers with FIRST Robotics, nerds out over Warhammer 40,000, and pampers his cat, Amy.
Darin Taft, Accountant
Darin is our dedicated Account Manager specializing in billing. He combines a keen eye for detail with a commitment to exceptional customer service. Darin works with managing institution accounts, overseeing billing processes, and ensuring accurate, timely invoicing.
Trina Tomczyk, Data Entry Specialist
Trina works supporting both the Assessment and Dental Chart sides of Upscale. She brings more than eight years of experience in risk management, insurance, and claims. Her background has strengthened her attention to detail, accuracy, and problem-solving skills, which she brings to her role. Trina holds an MBA in Risk Management from Concordia University Wisconsin and a BBA in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.
Stasia Van Alstyne, On Boarding Specialist
With more than 20 years of experience in dental hygiene and over 30 years in the dental field, Stasia brings a strong combination of clinical expertise, leadership, and education to the team. She has been an RDH since 2003 and holds BA degree in Healthcare Management, and a Master’s degree in Education. Since 2015, she has served as adjunct dental hygiene faculty within the WI Technical College System, where she enjoys mentoring and preparing the next generation of dental hygienists. In addition to her teaching role, Stasia serves as Clinical Director for a private dental practice with four locations, where she focuses on clinical standards, team development, patient care, and the continued growth of the dental hygiene department.
