LeadingAge Kansas Announces Center for Leadership Fellows for 2020

15 individuals accepted into elite leadership program

Topeka, Kan – LeadingAge Kansas is pleased to announce the 2019 Class of the Center for Leadership. 15 individuals from across the state, whose work focuses on providing services and supports to older people, were accepted into the competitive program and will embark on a year-long journey to improve their leadership acumen.

 “The Center for Leadership is an excellent opportunity for participants to grow personally and professionally. They will have a chance to practice tools and leadership theories that is unique to working in the aging services field,” stated Dana Weaver, COO. “The individuals who were selected for the Center for Leadership are outstanding in their own right and are the future of our field in Kansas.”

The 2020 Class of the Center for Leadership Includes:

• Heather Benney, Director of Nursing at Aberdeen Village in Olathe
• Lauren Wheeler, Assisted Living and Memory Care Director at Cedar Lake Village in Olathe
• Catie Stineman, Human Resource Director at the Presbyterian Manor in Emporia
• Nicole Schings, Education and Expos Coordinator at LeadingAge Kansas in Topeka
• Heather Elmore, Assistant Director of Nursing at Pine Village in Moundridge
• Alyssa Johnson, Assisted Living Director at the Presbyterian Manor in Wichita
• Kinton Friend, Administrator at Atchison Senior Village in Atchison
• KC Arnold, AIT/Admissions Director at the Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire
• Melissa Briscoe, Director of Nursing                  at the Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire
• Allie Karas Finley, Administrator at Hoeger House in Olathe
• Denise Ozier, Co-Director of Nursing at the Good Samaritan Society in Parsons
• John Diesel, Administrative Assistant at Lakeview Village in Lenexa
• Christine Koehn, Staff Support and Development at Moundridge Manor in Moundridge
• Nisha Trevino, Director of Nursing  at Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg
• Ginger Seeber, Chaplain at Pine Village in Moundridge

The member-led program consists of 4 in-person classes focused on discovering authentic leadership, advocacy and community relationships, change, empowering and motivating. Participants will be exposed to individual leaders inside and outside of the field as well as innovative providers. They will develop a learning project that will benefit their organization and help them to practice the tools provided in the program.

The first class of the Center for Leadership graduated in 2009 and since has had over 160 graduates who are working across Kansas and the country positively impacting the entire spectrum of aging services.

“Keep a close eye on these individuals. As with previous classes, they are going to change the field in ways we can’t even image yet,” stated Weaver.

LeadingAge Kansas is an association of 160 nonprofit aging services providers dedicated to serving the needs of aging Kansans. Our members serve over 25,000 Kansas seniors every day. We advance policies, promote practices and learning that empowers our members to help seniors live fully as they age.