Kimber Bidwell, Activity Assistant at Pioneer Lodge

Paris Brackett, Director of Environmental Services at EverTrue PACE

Mrs. Paris Brackett serves as the Manager of Environmental Services at EverTrue PACE, where she oversees the transportation, maintenance, dietary, and housekeeping departments. Her commitment to these vital services contributes to the seamless operation of PACE.

Her expertise, cultivated over three decades in facility and warehouse operations management, spans a comprehensive range of business support functions. She is dedicated to cultivating a culture of creativity and innovation within EverTrue and inspiring her team to embrace new technologies and methodologies.
Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys reading, traveling, and cherishing moments with her family.

 Nicole Camacho, Executive Assistant at Larksfield Place

Nicole Camacho grew up in a lively family of eight in the Southeast, where faith, family, and integrity were not just values, they were a way of life. Those roots have shaped everything about who she is today. Recently, Nicole made a big leap and moved to Wichita so she could be closer to her future stepdaughter. Whether they are crafting together, having dance parties in the living room, or cooking with love in a kitchen that truly is the heart of their home, Nicole keeps life joyful and full of laughter. Nicole quickly stepped into an Executive Assistant role at Larksfield Place and in the process, stumbled into something unexpected: purpose.

Her career originally began in event planning, but as rewarding as that was, Nicole always felt that something was missing, until she stepped into her role at Larksfield Place. At Larksfield, her skills and heart are in perfect sync: anticipating needs, making people feel seen and special, and ensuring everyone is respected and treated with dignity. Stepping into her new family and career has immersed Nicole in multigenerational experiences, challenging her to connect with and serve people from four years old to over 100. Outside of work, Nicole can be found honing her gardening skills, reading a good thriller, hanging out at the bowling alley, or dreaming up her next themed dinner party for friends and family

 Sarah Corbett, Director, Community Life Services at Friendship Village

Sarah Corbett has been working in Senior Living for over 11 years and has a passion for helping residents live the best chapter of their lives through robust programming. She received her Bachelor’s of Health and Exercise Science from Truman State University and started her career at Friendship Village STL as their full-time Wellness Coordinator. Later she moved to Assistant Director, Community Life and then to the Director, Community Life and now to Senior Director, Community Life over both campuses. Over the years, Sarah and her talented team have implemented innovative programs such as a large Patriotic Parade, Drone Show, exciting excursions to Canada and the Netherlands, Veterans initiatives, countless engaging outings, and numerous holiday events with over 300 people in attendance. Sarah is looking forward to the Center for Leadership to strengthen her leadership skills, build confidence in her vision, and help enrich the lives of the residents.

Sarah has been married for 11 years to her husband, Tim, and has a 5 year old daughter, Lydia, and a 2 year old son, Aiden. Sarah loves being active and adventurous. She has completed over 10 half marathons, 1 full marathon, 15 sprint triathlons and 1 half ironman. She is currently studying for her Master’s in Business Administration.

 Alisha Craft, Executive Director at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains

Alisha Craft is the Executive Director at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains. She was born in Illinois and moved to Kansas with her mom and sister when Alisha was 6 years old. She grew up in the small town of Kinsley, KS where she currently resides with her own family. Alisha became a CNA when she was 16 years old, and during which time, she was inspired by the kindness of a neighbor who worked as an RN at the local nursing home, who let Alisha borrow her car to drive back and forth to the college for her CNA course. After graduating high-school, Alisha joined the United States Air Force. She spent 8 years on active duty serving at Yokota AB, Japan, Andrews AFB, MD, McChord AFB, WA, Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia, and finishing up at Offutt AFB, NE.

Alisha returned home after her service and ran into an old friend from high school, Mitchell Craft, who had also just returned home from serving in the Army. Alisha and Mitchell married a few years later. Together, they have two children, a 15-year old daughter, Kaileigh, and a 12-year old son, MJ. Alisha also has a 24-year old son, Tyler, that she had while in the military. In her spare time, Alisha enjoys reading books, gardening, going to the lake, attending her children’s sporting events, and spending time with her dog Winston. Alisha’s husband is an RN and is their local health department administrator. They live a simple life both trying to serve their community and deep love for their beautiful country.

 Jess Easterwood, Assisted Living Executive Director at Larksfield Place

Jess Easterwood is the Executive Director at Larksfield Place Assisted Living and Memory Care, where purpose, joy, and a little dinosaur trivia fill the halls. With over a decade in aging services, Jess rose from CNA to LNHA and now leads with a hands-on, heart-first approach. She serves on the KACE Board and the LeadingAge Kansas Foundation Board, championing fun, engaging learning. Outside work, she lifts weights, chases dinosaurs with her son, and fuels her days with coffee and passion.

 Samantha Gladney, Administrator at John Knox Village

With over 13 years of dedicated service at John Knox Village - Lee's Summit, Samantha is honored to now serve as Administrator of John Knox's Assisted Living and Memory Care community. Samantha began as a charge nurse in John Knox Village’s Long-Term Care facility, and her career has taken her through a variety of roles including Memory Care, Home Health, and Hospice House. Most recently, Samantha served as Director of Nursing at Village Assisted Living, where she was privileged to lead a passionate team committed to person-centered care.

Her experience across the continuum of senior care has shaped a leadership style rooted in compassion, collaboration, and clinical excellence. Samantha is proud to continue growing with an organization that shares her commitment to building relationships and enriching the lives of residents and their families every day

 Stephanie Harriman, Administrator at Santa Marta Retirement

Stephanie Harriman, Health Services Administrator at The Plaza Health Services at Santa Marta, has over a decade of experience in senior living. She started her career working as a part-time activities assistant while earning her master's degree. She has experience in activities, social services, admissions and, most recently, as the administrator. She is a devoted advocate for seniors and their families.

 Tonya Keim, Chief of Staff at Bluestem Communities

Tonya Keim has served on the Executive Leadership Team of Bluestem Communities for the past 9 years, most recently as Chief of Staff. She works alongside the CEO to create and implement initiatives for organizational growth and oversees leadership communication and strategic work projects at Bluestem Communities. She enjoys collaboration with community partners in the four Kansas counties they currently serve, and legislative work in Topeka on behalf of aging services. Tonya lives in Hesston with her three teenage children.

 Whitney Larson, Director of Nursing at Pleasant View Home

Whitney Larson has been a registered nursing since 2006 and has worked in various positions ranging from labor and delivery to hospice to long term care. She recently became the Director of Nursing for Pleasant View Home in Inman, KS. Whitney enjoys learning and the challenge associated with learning new things.

 Daphne McTague, Executive Director at Topside Manor

Daphne McTague is the Administrator of Topside Manor, a community in western Kansas that provide independent and assisted living communities and skilled nursing. With a healthcare career that began in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman, Daphne brings a deep commitment to rural aging services. She is known for her hands-on, people-first leadership style and for implementing a culture change that significantly reduced agency staffing costs. Daphne is passionate about building strong community relationships, advocating for high-quality elder care, and empowering her team through servant leadership.

 Addy Mead, Associate Director of Communications and Events at LeadingAge Kansas

A graduate of Wichita State University’s Math Education program, Addy Mead is using her planning and organizational skills, creativity, and love of helping others to support LeadingAge Kansas members and they residents they serve. First hired as Administrative Coordinator in 2023 and now as Associate Director of Communications & Events, Addy’s primary duties include overseeing general member communications through social media, our Weekly Member Calls, the Aging Update, and database and website maintenance. She also collaborates with the team to plan, produce, and market events across all aspects of LeadingAge Kansas, and manage Continuing Education processing. Outside of the office, Addy enjoys crafting, playing board games, video games, and tabletop RPGs, and spending time with her fiancé, Brody, and their two cats, Lynx & Lulu.

Ashley Muder, Lifestyle Director at Claridge Court

Ashley Muder is an experienced Lifestyle Director at Claridge Court with over nine years of service in senior living. A Certified Dementia Practitioner and Board-Certified Music Therapist, Ashley is passionate about creating vibrant, inclusive environments where individuals are inspired to explore new experiences and live life. Known for her innovative programming and empathetic leadership, she empowers both residents and team members to step outside their comfort zones and embrace growth. Ashley brings a unique blend of creativity, clinical insight, and strategic thinking to every initiative, making her a dynamic leader in the field of aging services.

Chris Reynolds, Assistant Administrator at Bethesda Health Group

Christopher Reynolds is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with Bethesda Health Group, overseeing Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living communities. He advanced from Administrator-in-Training to Administrator after prior leadership roles in sales, program management, and healthcare operations. At Bethesda, he has led physician transitions, vendor changes, and compliance initiatives. An active member of LeadingAge Missouri, he focuses on operational excellence and resident-centered care.

Julianne Tucker, Assisted Living Sales Specialist at Friendship Village Chesterfield

Julianne Tucker is an Assisted Living Specialist at Friendship Village Chesterfield, with over a decade of experience in senior living. With expertise in both independent and assisted living, she excels at guiding residents and their families through the transitions that occur when a higher level of care is necessary. Her compassionate approach and deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by seniors and their loved ones make her an invaluable resource. Julianne is committed to creating a supportive and nurturing environment, where each resident feels respected and valued.

In addition to her role at Friendship Village, Julianne serves as President of the Make-A-Wish, Young Professional group in Saint Louis. Her goals include raising awareness for Make-A-Wish's mission, fostering future leadership, and generating financial support to fulfill local wishes.

Carrie Wetzel, Director of Business Development at Bethesda Health Group

Carrie R. Wetzel, LCSW is a healthcare leader with 28+ years of experience in clinical social work and business development. She holds a master’s degree from Washington University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Carrie has worked across the full continuum of care—acute hospitals, skilled nursing, and rehab—bringing deep insight into patient care and system integration.

As Director of Business Development, she drives strategic growth and builds partnerships that improve care delivery. Carrie remains deeply committed to her social work roots, supervising LMSWs in Missouri and advocating for the profession through guest lectures at universities, community events, and conferences—most recently at LeadingAge MO.

She lives in Kirkwood, MO with her spouse Rob and is the proud parent of a daughter, Kaitlyn  currently attending the University of Missouri (Mizzou).

Jennifer Wheatley, Director of Housing at Cardinal Ritter Senior Services

Jennifer Wheatley is a seasoned leader in affordable housing with over 20 years of experience specializing in project-based Section 8 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs. She began her career at MHM Ltd, where she spent 15 years maintaining properties in more than 10 states, and gaining deep expertise in compliance, operations, and team development across diverse markets.

In 2018, Jennifer joined Cardinal Ritter Senior Services, continuing her focus on affordable housing. Starting as a Property Manager, she was soon promoted to Compliance Specialist and now serves as Director of Housing. In this role, she leads housing operations, regulatory compliance, and policy implementation across the organization’s portfolio, ensuring alignment with HUD, LIHTC, and other federal and state housing requirements.

Jennifer is known for her strategic leadership, operational efficiency, and unwavering commitment to quality, compliance, and resident well-being. Her ability to navigate complex regulatory environments while driving performance has made her a respected leader in the field. She remains passionate about expanding access to safe, affordable housing and continues to champion best practices that support both community impact and organizational excellence.

Jayton Williams, Director of Dining Services at Lakeview Village

Jayton Williams is the Director of Dining Services at Lakeview Village in Lenexa, KS. His current role connects him with many people and opportunities. These unique opportunities allow Jayton to interact with several departments at Lakeview Village along with many members of the community. Jayton enjoys being able to focus on customer satisfaction and pleasing his clientele. With more than 20 years of experience in the senior dining arena, Jayton brings decades of experience to his role and is excited to learn more. While not working, Jayton enjoys reading, watching movies, and dining out with friends and family. He enjoys networking with others and is already ready for a new challenge.