We would like to introduce you to the speakers that will be presenting the education sessions to attendees throughout the week. Please take some time to read about each speaker and be sure to thank them for their presentations.
Featured KeyNote Speakers
Opening General Session – Monday, August 24, 8:00 a.m.
Keynote Speaker
Danny Goldberg is a workplace performance strategist and keynote speaker who helps leaders build the conditions where high performance becomes inevitable. Early in his career, he built and led an eight-figure global business, partnering with brands like Peloton, Traeger, and Gravity Blankets. His High-Performance Operating System™ gives leaders a practical framework to strengthen the environment where people and teams do their best work.
Closing Session – Wednesday, August 26, 8:00 AM
Founder of 3 Point Consulting
David Posner is a leadership speaker, executive coach, and professional basketball referee with more than 20 years of experience in sales, leadership, and conflict resolution. Drawing from his experience making high-pressure decisions on the court and leading teams in business, he helps organizations strengthen leadership, improve communication, and build high-performing teams.
Education Presenters (in session order)
Tracy Niekamp, Department of Health and Senior Services
Tracy Niekamp serves as administrator of the Missouri Section for Long-Term Care Regulation, the state agency responsible for regulatory oversight of Missouri’s long-term care facilities. She has nearly two decades of experience in long-term care regulation, serving in a variety of leadership and regulatory roles.
Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/Ed, RN
Pamela Truscott serves as director of quality improvement for the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). With more than 25 years of long-term care experience, she is passionate about leadership development, quality improvement, and advancing education across the profession. A registered nurse, Pam is certified as a Director of Nursing Services, QAPI Certified Professional, Resident Assessment Coordinator, and Certified Dementia Practitioner, and also holds a Nebraska Assisted Living Administrator license.
Ethan Walker, PT, DPT, MHA, GCS
Ethan Walker is a regional manager, physical therapist, and board-certified geriatric clinical specialist with more than 12 years of experience in post-acute care and senior living. He specializes in evidence-based rehabilitation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical program development, and is passionate about advancing geriatric care through education and innovation. Ethan holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Wendy Boren, RN, BSN – QIPMO
Wendy Boren has more than 20 years of nursing experience in long-term care, serving in leadership roles including ADON, DON, wound nurse, MDS coordinator, and director of assisted living and memory care. As a clinical nurse educator with QIPMO, she provides quality improvement support to more than 90 skilled nursing facilities across Missouri and is a frequent speaker on long-term care topics. Wendy is also a volunteer with the Southern 7 Medical Reserve Corps and an active participant in the Rural Healthcare Coalition for Emergency Preparedness. She is passionate about improving the quality of life for long-term care residents and helping them live with purpose, dignity, and joy.
Shellie Goodin, RN, BSN, MSN, MBA – Missouri Health Care Association
Shellie Goodin serves as director of clinical and quality services for the Missouri Health Care Association. A registered nurse since 1994, she has experience in long-term care, rehabilitation, dialysis, surgery, obstetrics, and nursing education, including 20 years as an instructor at Nichols Career Center.
Roy Pace RN, LNHA
Roy Pace has dedicated more than 20 years to long-term care, beginning his career as a CNA before becoming an LPN, RN, and licensed nursing home administrator. He currently serves as administrator of Colonial Springs Health Care Center and is a strong advocate for quality long-term care.
Amanda Marsh, RDN, LD
Amanda Marsh is the Missouri nutrition and dining strategist for Martin Brothers Distributing Co., Inc. A registered dietitian with more than 10 years of long-term care experience, she supports health care providers through menu development, education, training, and continuing education programs across Missouri. She received a Bachelor of Science in food, nutrition, and dietetics from Illinois State University and completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
Kendra Nicastro, MBA
Kendra Nicastro is director of marketing and brand strategy for Engage Consulting and Concept Rehab. With more than 25 years of health care experience, she helps organizations grow through strategic marketing, brand development, and innovative partnerships, and is a frequent industry speaker and writer.
Cindy West, RN, RAC-CT, QCP
Cindy West has more than 20 years of nursing experience, including 14 years specializing in the Minimum Data Set (MDS) process. She brings advanced knowledge to supporting multiple facilities in achieving both clinical excellence and optimal reimbursement. Known for meticulous attention to detail, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to patient-centered care, Cindy works closely with interdisciplinary teams to continue improving clinical outcomes using data driven measures.
Jill Burford
Jill Burford is a loss control consultant with Summit Safety Group, providing risk management and safety services for long-term care facilities across Missouri. She brings more than 20 years of experience in workplace safety, workers’ compensation, OSHA compliance, and risk reduction.Jill is a certified safety consultant through the Missouri Workers’ Safety Program, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Anthony Ross
Anthony Ross serves as vice president of business development for HCFM and Carpenter & Company. He specializes in health care insurance strategy and risk management, helping organizations develop insurance programs that support operational, financial, and long-term business goals. Anthony also regularly presents to organizations on the importance of proper insurance structure and risk management, working closely with executive leadership teams to provide clarity in complex decision-making.
Angela Garrison
Angela Garrison is president of Tomo Drug Testing, where she leads strategic growth, operational excellence, and organizational alignment across a team of more than 100 employees serving clients throughout the Midwest. Since joining Tomo in 2017, Angela has become a trusted resource for employers navigating the evolving landscape of drug and alcohol testing, workplace compliance, emerging industry trends, and regulatory changes.
Crystal Plank, RN, BSN, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, IP
Crystal Plank has more than 26 years of experience in the long-term care industry and serves as a gerontological consultant with QIPMO. She provides clinical consultation, education, and quality improvement support, with expertise in regulatory compliance, infection prevention, reimbursement, and the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process.
Nate Hamme
Nate Hamme is president of Ceca Foundation and has worked with the organization since its inception. Nate has been a consistent voice for the power of employee recognition to drive engagement and retention in the health care industry. As an industry leader in health care employee engagement, he has written and spoken extensively on staffing and retention issues facing health care communities, including features in McKnight’s Senior Living and Homecare Magazine, interviews on ABC News7, and presentations to AHCA state affiliates and other national health care groups.
Cathy Wilson, LPC, ACS
Cathy Wilson is a licensed professional counselor, approved clinical supervisor, author, speaker, and consultant. With two decades of experience in mental health, she provides counseling, professional education, and training on topics including trauma, recovery, and scam victimization.
Sarah Klebolt
Sarah Klebolt serves as chief legal and administrative officer for Arrow Senior Living Management, overseeing legal, regulatory, compliance, and risk management initiatives. She provides strategic counsel to executive leadership and helps guide organizational decision-making, policy development, and corporate governance.
Tiffany Karlin
Tiffany Karlin has more than 20 years of experience in the health care and senior living industries. She specializes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, post-acute care operations, health care policy, and regulatory changes, and actively supports industry advocacy and professional associations.
Nate Sundheimer
Nate Sundheimer works with health care and senior living organizations to align technology strategies with operational goals. His expertise includes system integration, workflow optimization, data visibility, and digital transformation, helping providers improve efficiency and make more informed business decisions.
Kicia Vanzandt
Kicia Vanzandt serves as assistant deputy director for the Missouri Family Support Division, where she oversees the Constituent Services Unit and several specialty units, including Nursing Home, Department of Corrections, Spend Down, and the Medical Review Team. With 28 years of service, she is committed to improving processes that ensure timely access to benefits for Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens.
Ammanda Ott, RN
Amanda Ott, RN, is the supervisor for the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) Central Office Medical Review Unit (COMRU).
Melanie Fischer, RN
Melanie Fischer is a registered nurse with more than 20 years of health care experience and has been a member of the We Care Online team since 2006. She supports health care training programs, assists students and facilities with online education and state requirements, and is dedicated to helping learners succeed.
Cindy Gray, CEO
Cindy Gray is the CEO of We Care Online, where she leads the development and delivery of innovative education and training programs for healthcare professionals. With extensive experience in business leadership and workforce development, Cindy is passionate about creating practical training solutions that support caregivers, strengthen teams, and improve long-term care.
Aaron C. Giles
Aaron C. Giles is founder and managing principal of Agile Consulting Group, a nationally recognized sales and use tax consulting firm. With more than 26 years of experience, he has led hundreds of multistate tax audits and helped clients secure more than $125 million in tax refunds and credits.
Joe Townsend
Joe Townsend has prepared health care professionals for the NAB exam for more than 35 years, teaching review courses across the country since 1990. He is also the author of Principles of Health Care Administration, a leading resource used in administrator exam preparation.
Juli Pascoe, CPA
Juli Pascoe is a member of Forvis Mazars, where she provides audit, reimbursement, and consulting services to senior living providers. Her expertise includes strategic planning, Medicare and Medicaid cost reporting, budgeting, reimbursement optimization, and financial management. Juli also is responsible for overseeing the preparation of monthly financial statements and other accounting outsourcing services provided to senior living providers.
Sherri Robbins, RN, LNHA, RAC-CTA, CLNC
Sherri Robbins is a member of Forvis Mazars with more than 20 years of long-term care experience. Before joining the firm, she served as a certified nurse assistant, licensed practical nurse, director of nursing, and licensed nursing home administrator, giving her a well-rounded perspective on clinical operations. She specializes in Medicare reimbursement, MDS education, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement, helping providers strengthen clinical performance while maximizing reimbursement. Sherri is also a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, assisting attorneys representing health care providers, and is an active member of the Missouri League for Nursing.
Emily Solum, Partner
Emily Solum is a partner with Husch Blackwell who advises long-term care providers on Medicaid and Medicare compliance, reimbursement, licensing, and regulatory matters. She represents skilled nursing, assisted living, hospice, home health, and other post-acute care providers in navigating complex health care laws.
Harvey Tettlebaum
Harvey Tettlebaum has more than 50 years of experience in health care law, representing providers and health care associations across the continuum of care. He advises clients on regulatory, legislative, and strategic issues, helping organizations navigate today’s complex health care environment.
Adam J. Sky, MD, DFAPA
Adam J. Sky, MD, DFAPA, is founder and medical director of Creve Coeur Psychiatric Services and serves as Chair of Psychiatry at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital and the Behavioral Health Center of Maryland Heights. He also serves as an assistant clinical professor in Geriatric Psychiatry at Saint Louis University and has dedicated his career to advancing behavioral health services for older adults. Dr. Sky has grown his practice to include over 25 clinicians who attend patients in long-term care facilities, as well as in office and hospital settings. In 2008, Dr. Sky merged his practice with several others to help create the largest private psychiatry practice in Missouri.
Dionie Bibat
Dionie Bibat supports post-acute care providers with comprehensive skin health programs focused on prevention, treatment, education, and clinical best practices. As part of Medline Clinical Solutions, she partners with health care organizations to improve resident outcomes through clinical consultation, product support, and professional education.
James Boberg
James Boberg serves as executive director of operations at Electronic Caregiver, where he leads telecare, care coordination, enrollment, and customer support operations nationwide. He specializes in implementing technology-enabled care models that improve patient engagement, strengthen care coordination, and support older adults in living more independently. James is particularly passionate about using technology and meaningful human interaction together to help older adults remain safer, healthier, and more independent.
Corbitt Grow
Corbitt Grow is director of business development for Anderson Technologies, where he helps organizations strengthen cybersecurity and technology infrastructure. He works closely with health care providers to develop practical solutions that improve security, support, and operational resilience.
Brian Feist, BSN, RN, CHEC-II
Brian Feist is director of emergency preparedness planning for the Midwest QIN-QIO and has more than 20 years of experience helping health care organizations strengthen emergency preparedness and resilience. A recognized expert in the CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule, he works with providers across multiple states to develop practical, sustainable emergency preparedness programs. His background as an EMS provider, emergency department nurse, and trauma leader brings real-world insight to his work in planning, training, and exercise design. Brian serves on the Iowa Board of Nursing and is a member of the Iowa All-Hazards Incident Management Team, with a focus on advancing coordinated, patient-centered disaster response.
Liz LaFoe
Liz LaFoe is an attorney with Husch Blackwell and a registered nurse with more than 10 years of clinical experience in emergency medicine, trauma, intensive care, and forensic nursing. She represents health care providers in regulatory compliance, audits, reimbursement disputes, professional licensure matters, medical malpractice claims, and government investigations, bringing both legal and clinical perspectives to her work.
Nicky Martin
Nicky Martin serves as QIPMO team leader and nursing home administrator coach, providing guidance to long-term care leaders across southeast, central, and southwest Missouri. With more than 26 years of long-term care experience, she advises administrators and executive leaders on regulatory compliance, operational management, quality improvement, and leadership development. Nicky’s hometown roots as administrator in a rural home are the foundation for the principles that she practices, including the belief that everything starts with the CNAs. Nicky holds a master’s degree in public administration and a Bachelor of Science in accounting.
Libby Youse, BGS, LNHA
Libby Youse has more than 30 years of experience in long-term care and health care, including 23 years as a licensed nursing home administrator. As a former QIPMO administrative leadership coach, she helped Missouri nursing homes strengthen QAPI programs, regulatory compliance, quality measures, financial accountability, and culture change initiatives.
Penny Kampeter
Covering regions 4, 5, 6, and the northern part of region 7 for the LTC Leadership Coaching, Penny began her career in long-term care as an office manager in 1988, obtaining her administrator license in 1991. For the last 30 years she has served actively as a LNHA in both for profit as well as not-for profit facilities. Penny has volunteered for many long-term care organizations during her career such as the board of directors and advisory boards of GPN programs.