Get To Know Us

Andrea Leavitt, LMSW, C-ASWCM

Andrea dedicated her career to supporting the aging population in 2003. Her passions
developed from personal life experiences which led to her belief that the elder years of
one’s life are sacred – rich with meaningful moments as well as unimaginable challenges. Navigating multiple and often complicated systems on behalf of a client has been Andrea’s primary interest. 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, adult 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 a member of Aging Life Care Association. She is a member of the Johnson County Counsel on Aging and board member of Kansas Advocates for Better Care.  She also enjoys being an active member of P.E.O., a women’s philanthropic organization.

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

Dana Lambert, LSCSW, LCSW

With more than twenty 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, is a licensed clinical social worker in Kansas and Missouri and is a Kansas Supreme Court approved Mediator. 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.

Caroline Dawson, LSCSW

Caroline Dawson supports individuals and families in the work of living and aging wisely. As a member of AgeWise Advocacy & Consulting, she demystifies questions regarding aging, healthcare, death and dying. Caroline provides education and tools to individuals, families and facilities to enhance positive, effective communication and client quality of life.

With a focus on social work values, her collaborative approach upholds the worth and dignity of every person, and by valuing the importance of human relationships, she seeks to cultivate the success of shared goals.

Caroline has a passion for teaching.  She has provided community education on many topics regarding aging as well as providing professional continuing education programming.  Previously, Caroline served on faculty as an instructor and course director at the University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine where she facilitated instruction of patient-centered interviewing techniques to medical students.

Caroline’s social work career has focused on mental health and patient/client advocacy. She has worked in inpatient psychiatric settings for geriatric, adult, adolescents, and children as well as advocated for victims of domestic violence abuse. This combination of experience has led Caroline to participate with Johnson County’s Community Violence Action Council (COMVAC) – Elder Abuse Committee.

Nicole Black, LMSW

Nicole is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working with individuals with dementia or special needs and their caregivers. She believes in advocating for her clients collaboratively while navigating their unique challenges. Honoring her clients’ dignity and strengths are of utmost importance to her. Nicole has worked with a number of individuals, from Alzheimer’s patients participating in clinical trials, to adults and children with special needs in a community setting.

Nicole is a trained social worker, having completed her clinical practicum at the Alzheimer’s Association. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kansas and lives in Columbia, Missouri where she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and rescue dog. When she has free time, she enjoys hiking, bicycling, attempting to garden, and reading.

Nicole also believes in giving back to her community. Currently, she serves as the volunteer social worker with Miracle of Innocence, helping those who have been wrongfully convicted re-enter society.

Barbara Chamblin, Care Manager

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.

Gail Benton, Daily Money Manager

Gail grew up on a Kansas dairy and graduated from Emporia State University. He has been doing accounting work all his adult life and attributes his success in the field as having the good fortune of being hired by a small public accounting firm when he was a Junior in college, which provided the necessary experience for him to be hired by a local CPA firm in Emporia, KS. He served as Manager of the Bookkeeping department for two years, then was promoted to a Controller position over the firm’s four CPA offices, gaining valuable experience in computerized Time and Expense systems and partner billings until moving on to private accounting.
Since 1986, Gail has served as either a property accountant, controller, or CFO in four different corporate offices of senior communities. His favorite employment was 7 years as CFO for a large Kansas Continuing Care Retirement Community, spanning over 80 acres serving approximately 450 residents in independent living duplexes and apartments, assisted living units, and a 100-bed long term care home.
In those 7 years, Gail got to know the residents well. The greatest feeling, he states, is that employees and residents became family. His most treasured memory of those years was when one resident was going to pass away soon from cancer and asked Gail to play his guitar and sing to him and his wife prior to his death, and also to sing for his funeral.
Gail lives with his wife in Lees Summit, Missouri and are members of the First Baptist Church of Lee’s Summit. Besides music, Gail’s hobbies include golf, shooting range, and horse trail riding with his older brother.