Lisa Barnes has 20-plus years of experience working in the health care industry, particularly in long-term/senior health care. Lisa graduated with a degree in psychology from Pittsburg State University. In 2017, she decided to become a licensed nursing home administrator and received training through KACE. She comes to Leawood Gardens with previous experience serving as an executive director.

Outside of work, Lisa loves to spend time with her boyfriend, Mike, and her two dogs, Daisy and Nugget. She also loves live music and is an avid movie watcher.

“I am excited to join the Leawood Gardens team and am continually blessed to be able to do what I love and serve the senior population. I look forward to meeting you.”

Cortney Burton joined us in December 2019 as the director of Sales and Marketing. Cortney has been working with seniors for seven years with a passion for helping families and their loved ones through such a vulnerable time. She strives to build relationships with everyone she encounters and is a resource to help anyone through the experience of finding a senior living community. Cortney brings a bright and positive energy to our community.

Cortney started her passion of working with seniors when she received her certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification in high school. She knew from there that she wanted to work with the older population. She has experience with working in other senior living departments as a CNA, resident service director and a community relations director. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and is currently working on her master’s degree at Baker University.

Cortney is a new mom and loves rescuing and fostering animals. She enjoys spending time with her husband, their new baby boy, and their dogs and cat. She strives to make a difference in the lives of seniors and animals. Please stop by and say hi as Cortney is always more than willing to listen and assist with anyone’s needs.

Deanna Holm discovered at an early age that she enjoyed helping seniors, whether they were in her own family or within the community. Her passion is helping seniors live life to the fullest! Deanna has 19 years of experience in the medical field, and was most recently a memory care activity director with additional dementia training.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and kids, grandkids and cats, as well as helping her husband with his remodeling business.

Grace Maloba has been a nurse since 2008. Before coming to assisted living two years ago, Grace worked in skilled nursing facilities for 10 years. Her passion shines through when she is taking care of our residents and putting smiles on their faces. Our residents truly love the time they get with her. Grace receives peace at the end of the day knowing she made someone happy and better by being in their life. Her motto is “Care, serve and help.”

In her spare time, Grace enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends. She is blessed with two amazing children. Grace also volunteers at her church preparing meals for the less fortunate. We are all blessed to have her on our team.

Thomas Ables, our Building Services director, comes from a lifetime of experience in computers and construction. You will never meet a more agreeable man willing to listen to your request and persist with full effort to ensure its completion. Thomas is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year for all needs, whether they are complex or basic. Never have we met a man more eager to please our residents. Thomas truly loves his job. 

In his free time, Thomas enjoys taking care of his family’s and extended family’s homes and needs. Spending time with his wife and kids is what he does in his free time when he isn’t helping others fix what may be broken. 

“Hi! I’ve made it my life to take care of my family so I have made it my profession.”

Shawna Webb joined our team in October of 2016. She came from retail management, where she enjoyed working with people as part of a team. Shawna strives to deliver outstanding customer service to our residents, families and vendors. She is responsible for all office procedures and uses her organizational skills to ensure things run smoothly here. She is vital to the team.

Shawna worked for years, took time off to raise her son and then joined the workforce again a few years ago. She loves the residents and being part of a team that works together for the common good of our community. In her spare time, Shawna loves to sip on a glass of wine while reading a good book, golf with her husband and spend time with her son. Sometimes you’ll even find Shawna here with her beloved dog, Sunny. Be sure to stop by and say hi to Shawna in our front office, where she’ll help with anything you need.

Michaela Moore has worked at Leawood Gardens Senior Living for three years. She loves working in our Generations neighborhood, also known as memory care. Memory care is near and dear to her personally, due to her grandfather having suffered from Alzheimer’s. She knows firsthand what life is like for the residents and their families. After her grandfather passed, Michaela knew she wanted to help others suffering from this disease along with their families.

Michaela was raised in western Kansas and is very family-oriented. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her nieces and nephews and is the favorite auntie in her family. She is a team player and will help anyone who asks.

Joe Owen has been a professional cook for two decades. He started his career working in fast food, then transitioned to steak houses and fine dining before going into assisted living and nursing care.

Joe enjoys camping and fishing in his free time and, most importantly, spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Joe’s motto would have to be “Enjoy what you do. Do your best. And have fun doing it.”