Our Team

With more than thirty years’ experience helping families and individuals in conflict or struggling with physical decline, dementia or mental illness, Dana Lambert is an expert in advocating for the rights, needs and wishes of seniors. She is an expert in navigating systems, from complex medical and care provider organizations to intricate family systems. The belief that the wishes of each individual should be respected as they age drives her to assist seniors with creating a plan for the important decisions of where to live, how to balance safety with independence, when and who to ask for help and how to thrive even in difficult circumstances. She believes that having an aging member can and should be a time for families to find ways to work together and is practiced in conflict resolution to help create consensus and peace. Helping seniors and their families find creative ways to solve problems that improve quality of life energizes her.

Dana has a Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas, and is a licensed clinical social worker in Kansas and Missouri.  She has worked in mental health settings, including private psychotherapy, for many years. She provides supervision to licensed social workers seeking clinical licensure in Kansas. Additionally,  Dana enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling and family time.

Andrea dedicated her career to supporting the aging population in 2003. This passion developed from personal life experiences which led to her belief that the elder years of one’s life is sacred – rich with meaningful moments as well as unimaginable challenges. Every person and family situation is unique, requiring a personal and creative approach to meeting their needs and interests. Andrea recognizes the privilege of joining them on their journey.

Other aspects of Andrea’s earlier career include human resource management, corporate mental health and special needs populations.

She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Kansas State University and earned a Master of Social Work degree from The University of Kansas. Andrea also holds the specialty designation of Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager.

Andrea is an active member of the Aging Life Care Association. She is on the board of the Johnson County Commission on Aging and a former board member of Kansas Advocates for Better Care. She also enjoys being a member of P.E.O., a women’s philanthropic organization.

Together with her family, Andrea takes pleasure in many outdoor activities. Farming, beekeeping, golf, and baseball are among their favorites.

Diversified is how Barbara describes her career. Her experience spans all age groups from babies to the aging.  Her work and life experiences have culminated in her desire to remain productive and satisfied in life through her support of seniors.

Barbara graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.  She also earned an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Penn Valley Community College and pursued a rewarding career in nursing, working in labor and delivery, pharmaceutical trials and home health.

Barbara has served as a caregiver to family members with Alzheimer’s as well as supported friends who are caregivers for their family members.  Barbara provides a “hands on” approach that, along with her diversified professional and personal experience, aligns well with the mission and goals of AgeWise.

Barbara is also active in the community by serving at a local food kitchen, sponsoring the Tea ‘N Talk group at a senior community center, volunteering with hospice and providing respite care through her church. Barbara is a member of Kansas Advocates for Better Care.

Chris, a sixth-generation Kansan with over 25 years of experience in social work, is dedicated to preserving the autonomy of older adults and helping them age in place by connecting them with local resources. Specializing in rural and small community families, she facilitates planning to uphold family history and traditions.

As a Kansas Supreme Court Approved Mediator and Mediator Trainer for a decade, and a palliative care and hospice social worker for another, Chris possesses advanced skills in family communication, end-of-life education, crisis mitigation, and conflict resolution. Her compassionate approach extends to addressing difficult issues and aiding families dealing with chronic or terminal conditions.

With a master’s degree in social work administration and a law degree in public interest law from the University of Kansas, Chris underwent advanced alternative dispute resolution training and earned an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Care certification. She adeptly guides families through the complex interplay between the medical system and community resources to optimize their quality of life.

Having served as a parent and kinship educator for over a decade, Chris led conflict resolution workshops for high-conflict families in District Courts. She continues to teach and present on family communication and conflict resolution skills. As the mother of four grown children and grandmother to three, Chris finds creative outlets in cooking, entertaining, travel, and gardening, sharing these joys with her two spoiled felines in rural Douglas County.

Liz brings a wealth of experience to AgeWise and a deep commitment to helping people navigate life’s most challenging transitions. Having worked extensively in senior living as a social worker, she has developed a profound understanding of the unique needs of older adults and their families. This expertise, combined with her earlier experience as the director of a regional youth outreach program, has equipped Liz with strong skills in problem-solving, relationship-building, program development, and administrative leadership. An advocate by nature, Liz now focuses exclusively on serving aging adults and their families.

Liz believes that trust and authentic relationships lie at the heart of effective care. Having earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work, Liz specializes in working with aging individuals and their loved ones when they face complex physical and cognitive decline (including dementia), transitions of care, end-of-life decisions, and challenging family dynamics. She considers it a true honor to walk with older adults and families during critical moments, helping them navigate the aging journey.

A wife and a mom, Liz enjoys watching her two young children grow, spending time outside near lakes, forests, and gardens, and drinking decaf vanilla cappuccinos whenever she can.

Tanya believes the human experience is utterly unique yet commonalities bond us together.  Holding each person’s and each family’s story in the forefront as aging and transitions take place helps us to appreciate that uniqueness and still find the commonalities that create meaning.  Tanya enjoys relationship building and also the challenge of navigating systems and creating positive change.

Tanya holds a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Washington and has undergraduate degrees in both social work and health management/human ecology.  She has work experience in care management for high risk children and families as well as hospital discharge planning.  Tanya spent three years as a volunteer with a medical NGO in the Philippines and considers that time to have been very formative in the development of her worldview and work with people.

Tanya resides with her spouse and four children.  She enjoys gardening, seasonal cooking and food preparation, running for physical and emotional well-being, and watching soccer.

Erin is a dedicated professional with over two decades of experience in social work and special
education. She is driven by a passion for empowering individuals facing diverse life challenges.
Erin’s career has spanned healthcare and educational settings, where she’s consistently
advocated for dignity, resilience, and equitable access to resources. Erin enjoys partnering with
families and building connections built on trust and compassion.

Erin holds her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Bethany College and a Master’s degree in
Special Education from Pittsburg State University. She has work experience in senior living
facilities and developmental disability settings. Throughout her journey, she’s remained
committed to culturally competent, evidence-informed interventions that promote well-being and
improve quality of life for individuals across all stages of life.

Erin enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She also enjoys gardening, long
walks, reading, travelling, and spending time with her extended family.

Jackie brings both professional expertise and deep empathy to her role as a Care Manager at AgeWise. With a Master’s degree in Social Welfare from the University of Kansas and a background in trauma-informed care, Jackie understands how overwhelming it can be to navigate aging, memory loss, or sudden health changes in a loved one. She works closely with families to create thoughtful, person-centered care plans that honor each client’s dignity, preferences, and unique story.

Jackie specializes in helping older adults and their care partners manage transitions with confidence, whether that means coordinating services, supporting cognitive health, or offering guidance through emotional and logistical decisions. Her approach is grounded in compassion, education, and advocacy, and she’s committed to helping every family feel seen, heard, and supported.

For fun, Jackie enjoys dynamic movement and exercise, she likes to spend time in nature and also enjoys the world-class art, sporting events and unique culture Kansas City has to offer.

Stephanie is a dedicated Operations Manager who supports the AgeWise team by streamlining operations and improving efficiency. She is committed to helping AgeWise achieve its mission of ensuring every client receives the best care.

Stephanie graduated from the University of North Georgia with a degree in Business & Finance, where she built a solid foundation in organizational management, strategic planning, and business operations.

As a wife and Mom of 2 girls, Stephanie enjoys baking, spending time outdoors, traveling, and cherishing quality time with family and friends. Passionate about making a meaningful impact in her community, she actively mentors young ladies, providing guidance and support in their personal growth and development.

Jodi is a paralegal who has worked with families and individuals preparing their estate planning, including powers of attorney, and with families making the difficult decision to seek guardianships and conservatorships for impaired adults in Kansas and Missouri. Prior to moving to private practice more than 10 years ago, she worked as the assistant for the District Court Judge in Johnson County, KS, covering the probate docket.

Jodi has assisted in guiding and supporting fiduciaries who have been named to serve as agents under powers of attorney, conservators, and trustees, as well as reviewing monthly expenses and drafting annual accountings. One of her strengths is developing relationships with not only her clients but their families as well. She is deeply passionate about the senior community that she serves.

Jodi and her husband reside in the Kansas City area and are the parents of seven adult children in their blended family, as well as their spouses and two grandchildren. In her free time, she loves to travel and spend time with family and friends at their home at the Lake of the Ozarks.