Cara Lavender is a UT Austin School of Social Work alumni and has been an LMSW for over 10 years. Mostly focusing her career in geriatric medical social work and community advocacy, she is passionate about identifying unmet needs of the aging population and bringing those to light. Cara has held certification as a TX Guardian since 2018. She is the current Director of Aging Services Department at Texoma Council of Governments.
Jenni Knutson is the Founder and Executive Director of Olive Branch Seniors, where she acts as an Aging Care Strategist. She is a Certified Dementia Specialist with the NCCDP and holds a certification from John's Hopkins as a Dementia Care Specialist. She has many years of experience as an Executive Director leading Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities. Jenni is on the board of the Dallas and Northeast Texas Alzheimer's Association, where she is also a community educator and a public policy advocate.
Lori Jo Casto is a certified forensic nurse RN with over 15 years of experience related to Alzheimer's and Dementia. She has many years of experience as the director of assisted livings with memory care as a specialty. Lori's passion is finding sensible solutions to difficult behaviors related to Alzheimers disease.
Dr. Leslie Carlos is a nurse leader in behavioral health and clinical operations. Currently serving as Director of the Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit at Titus Regional Medical Center with Horizon Behavioral Health. Dr. Carlos has also served as Interim Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Assessment and Referrals at Perimeter Behavioral Hospital, and as National Nurse Educator for Eating Recovery Center. Dr. Carlos earned her Doctor of Healthcare Administration from Walden University, with her dissertation focused on nurse productivity and quality outcomes in behavioral health. She also holds a Master of Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
