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.

Emily is a licensed clinical social worker with a background in community mental health and healthcare. She believes compassion, understanding, and holding a judgment free stance in her work is important in her approach in working with others. She is skilled at relationship building, and does what she can to help empower and advocate for each person she works with. Communication is one of her strengths, and she does not shy away from helping to facilitate difficult discussions or therapeutic work around grief, end of life discussions, or challenges that are unique to aging.

Emily attended Kansas State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. While working in direct service with individuals with severe mental health diagnoses, she felt drawn to Social Work with its emphasis on social justice, service, integrity, and the importance of human relationships. She then attended graduate school at the University of Kansas for a Masters in Social Work. Her graduate experience includes work with Veterans, HIV Case Management, inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, and dialysis. She enjoys having a blend of care management and clinical work.

Outside of work with AgeWise KC she is a wife and mom of two young boys. She also has a unique interest in complementary health practices, and does some individual and group work using Vibrational Sound Therapy and Reiki. She enjoys Pilates, reading, gardening, the outdoors, quality time with her family, and travel.

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.

Marci focuses on each individual’s definition of aging well, helping to build upon strengths and resilience. She has extensive social work experience providing support in hospice, oncology and home health which has equipped her to address specific challenges of the aging process while promoting independence, autonomy, and dignity in later life. Marci provides support by educating and guiding individuals, and their families, and by advocating for quality of life and adaptation to change. Marci understands the multidisciplinary team approach necessary for achieving outcomes that provide individuals with quality, person-centered communication and care.

Marci is a native of the Kansas City Metro and holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. During her master’s program, Marci developed a passion for the field of aging and gerontology and was a recipient of the Hartford/Jewish Heritage Fellowship Internships in Aging Project. While completing practicums at the Shepherd’s Center and Landon Center on Aging, she concentrated working with supportive services and programs for older adults. Marci has served as Psychosocial Coordinator for a regionally based cancer center, as a board member for the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City, and on the Professional Resource Council at Gilda’s Club Kansas City.

Marci and her husband reside in the Kansas City area with their rescue dog and cats and actively support local animal rescue organizations. Marci is a travel enthusiast and enjoys cooking and trying new restaurants with close friends and family.

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.

Stephanie is a dedicated Operations Director 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.