About Yahara

Yahara Software provides custom software solutions for organizations tackling complex, high-impact work.

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What We Do

For more than 20 years, we’ve helped teams transform intricate workflows into intuitive, secure, and scalable solutions — from data systems and integrations to advanced analytics, automation, and cloud platforms.

We don’t just deliver code. We collaborate closely with the people who use it, taking time to understand real-world constraints and designing technology that fits your environment, goals, and pace.

Because technology doesn’t solve problems. People do.

Who We Are

Yahara Software takes its name from the Yahara Watershed, a critical ecosystem that sustains the greater Madison, WI area. We love our location, and on weekends you’ll see us swimming in the lakes, biking the trails and taking advantage of the dining options around the city. We are collaborative, smart group of people that enjoy challenging work that makes a difference.

Our founders started their education or careers in the laboratory. They very quickly understood the advantage technology could bring to the space, and over the past 20+ years, have endeavored to build a business in the intersection of technology and operations. Most of our staff are engineers and love to nerd out about the latest technology innovation. We bring the passion of new innovation and experience of the ‘tried and true’ processes to your projects. We love the clients we work with and the work that we do.

Founded in 1994 as Tara Software

Headquartered in Madison, WI

Staff in Wisconsin and Colorado

~ 50 team members

Kevin Meech

Kevin Meech

Chief Executive Officer

As the CEO, he's spent over 25 years doing one thing exceptionally well: helping business leaders cut through the noise and use technology to actually move the needle. A specialist in custom software development, Kevin works directly with clients at the strategic level — not just advising on what's possible, but partnering with them to build the right solutions and deliver real, measurable ROI.

Favorite part of the job: I enjoy working with our team and clients at a strategic level. I'll never tire of collaborating with people to cut through complexity, align technology with business goals, and guide decisions that lead to real impact.

Favorite podcast: Science Vs

Adam Steinert

Adam Steinert

Chief Technology Officer

Adam's unique lens comes from years of experience learning and applying new technologies to new problems — as well as having participated in nearly every aspect of the organization. That background gives him a unique ability to blend perspectives when approaching a challenge. At his core, Adam has an innate drive to help people problem-solve and find efficient, creative solutions to complex software needs.

Favorite part of the job: I love diving deep into technical problems — whether that means writing code, whiteboarding strategy, or working 1:1 with teams to find the best path forward.

Favorite movie: Wonder Boys and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Garrett Peterson

Garrett Peterson

Chief Strategy Officer

With more than 30 years of leadership in laboratory and scientific IT, Garrett brings operational knowledge and strategic perspective to Yahara. Today, Garrett is focused on partnerships and commercial strategy, ensuring Yahara aligns with mission-driven organizations and builds systems that are both profitable and advance science.

Favorite part of the job: I love working with smart, principled people to solve real-world problems and build systems that create meaningful impact and deliver results.

Favorite books: Lately, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series.

Dayna May Brady

Dayna May Brady

Executive Director, Customer Experience

Dayna sees connections others might not, which drives her unique ability to cultivate people, ideas, and opportunities — identifying partnerships and solutions that strengthen relationships between Yahara, its clients, and internal teams. She's honed an ability to recognize people's strengths and encourages them to lean into their talents, which fosters better outcomes and collaboration.

Favorite part of the job: I enjoy helping our clients succeed, whether that means giving them confidence in tough decisions, unlocking new opportunities for innovation, or improving their customers’ everyday experience through better software.

Favorite podcast: The Happiness Lab and NPR's All Songs Considered

Josh Peot

Josh Peot

Director of Engineering

Leadership style: Collaborative, empowering, intuitive, visionary, mentor

Favorite part of the job: Using technology (old and new) to creatively solve the problems that actually matter.

In your free time: When I'm not at a keyboard, I'm in the woods, the dojang, or the community... usually with family in tow.

Collin Newberry

Collin Newberry

Director Of DevSecOps

Leadership style: Collaboration and mentorship, building people into professionals

Favorite part of the job: I enjoy the range of challenges and breadth of technology we work with. Every new project brings new opportunities to grow our knowledge.

In your free time: Pitmaster for a competition BBQ team, building furniture, and traveling.

Holly Fitzgerald

Holly Fitzgerald

Lead Project Manager

Leadership style: Mentor-focused, empowering, servant-minded

Favorite part of the job: I really enjoy collaborating with customer product owners and our engineering teams to figure out the best path forward and set teams up to deliver projects successfully.

In your free time: I love the outdoors: snow shoeing in the winter, yardwork in the spring, biking in the summer, hiking in the fall.

James Smagala

James Smagala

Bioinformatics Practice Manager

Leadership style: Mentoring and empowering team members; be lean and tenacious as a team

Favorite part of the job: Solving hard problems, working with great folks, any anything where I get to "Do Science."

In your free time: I've been known to hike with the dog, support some pretty great kids, and always be learning something.

Patrick Martin

Patrick Martin

Director of Operations

Leadership style: Supportive, empowering, and pacesetter

Favorite part of the job: Every day I get to work with amazing people to solve interesting, challenging problems.

In your free time: You'll find me running outside, at a concert, skiing on a mountain, competing at pool and billiards, and attending the kid's sporting events, concerts, and plays.

Caroline Peterson

Caroline Peterson-Meech

Director of Shared Services

Leadership style: People-first, collaborative, no drama

Favorite part of the job: Making sure the behind‑the‑scenes stuff works so people can focus on the fun, impactful work.

In your free time: Playing volleyball, getting my hands dirty in the garden, cooking for friends and family, reading, volunteering, and spending as much time as possible with my people — and our dogs.

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People shaking hands with speech bubbles above their heads.

Cultivating a collaborative environment for our teams to work and grow.

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Giving space for honest creativity through which innovative solutions will emerge.

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Applying proven experience to solve problems in ways that best serve the needs of our customers.

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Initiative

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Integrity

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Collaboration

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Accountability

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Ingenuity

Certifications