LEADINGAGE KANSAS NAMES 6 NEW MEMBERS
TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TOPEKA, Kan – LeadingAge Kansas members voted in six new board members to lead the association on April 22, 2021 at their annual Business Meeting.

“The slate of candidates was outstanding”, stated president/CEO Debra Zehr. “These individuals will lead our association into the future of our field”.

Other new Board Members include:

Charlotte Rathke, Administrator of Locust Grove Village in LaCrosse. This is Charlotte’s second time on the Board.

“Charlotte comes to the board with deep experience in nonprofit nursing home care, assisted living services and senior independent living. She will add a welcome voice to the work of the LeadingAge Kansas board as they help shape the future of the Association and the aging services field,” stated Zehr.

Tammy Pettijohn is the Administrator at SunPorch of Smith Center. This is her first term on the board.

“Tammy brings a rich rural perspective, and wide range of experiences in aging and mental health services, to the board. These experiences, and her commitment to the elders, families and team she serves, will help advance LeadingAge Kansas’s goal to support and advance innovative, person-centered care and services into the future,“ Zehr remarked.

Rodney Whittington is the CEO of Villa St. Francis in Olathe. This is his first term on the board.

“Rodney is eminently suited to serve on the LeadingAge Kansas Board by virtue of his wide-ranging experience, knowledge and commitment to serving older Kansans who need long term supports and services. His will be an important voice on the Board to help shape the future of the Association and the aging services field,” stated Zehr.

Shawn Sullivan is the President/CEO of Midland Care in Topeka. This is his second stint on the board.

Zehr remarked of Sullivan’s appointment, “Shawn has demonstrated a long term, unparalleled commitment to serving older Kansans who need long term supports and services. His experience, knowledge, and passion for person-centered care will be important to the work of the Board, and to the field as a whole, as LeadingAge Kansas continues to evolve and lead toward the future.“

Cheyenne Strunk is the Executive Director of Ascension Living in Manhattan. This is her first time on the board.

“Cheyenne brings a tremendous amount of knowledge, experience, commitment and energy to the work of the LeadingAge Kansas Board. She will serve an important role for the Association and its members as we strive to serve and succeed well into the future,” noted Zehr.

Andy Sutter is the Executive Director of Village Manor in Abilene. This is his first time on the board.

“Andy brings valuable quality-focused skills and deep experience in person-centered care that will help advance the work of the LeadingAge Kansas Board and its membership now and in the future,” stated Zehr.

LeadingAge Kansas is an association of 160 not-for-profit aging services providers dedicated to serving the needs of aging Kansans. We advance policies, promote practices and learning that empowers our members to help seniors live fully as they age. Our members serve nearly 25,000 seniors in Kansas each day. Learn more at www.leadingagekansas.org