Mallory Gevertz

Community Prevention Coordinator
Johnson County Mental Health Center

Mallory implements evidence-based programs throughout the community on the topics of suicide prevention, substance use prevention, and mental health promotion. She is a member of the Prevention and Recovery Coalition, is certified to facilitate Strengthening Families Program, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Parent Project, and Parent Project Junior. Mallory also promotes and coordinates Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).

Shana Burgess, MSW

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Director of Prevention and Community Relations
Johnson County Mental Health Center

Shana serves as the Director of Prevention and Community Relations for JCMHC in addition to being a member of the center’s executive leadership team. Based on a local spike in completed suicides in 2012, Shana and her team worked to establish the Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition. The coalition has since grown to over 450 members and has made a significant collective impact in preventing suicide and promoting mental health. Shana is passionate about prevention and believes in the power of communities to make a difference.

Mary Ann Pitnick

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Programs Coordinator
Johnson County Department of Corrections

Mary Ann assesses the Intake and Assessment Center and uses evidence-based programming for youth in confinement at the Juvenile Detention Center. She is passionate about preventing and addressing suicide prevention in our community and especially regarding the most vulnerable population, our youth. She is blessed to have three beautiful girls, adopted from the state foster care system on life’s journey. 

Lydia Nganga

Vince Ngatara Memorial Foundation, CEO

Lydia is a dedicated Refugee FN Provider at a federal health clinic. Her passion extends beyond clinical care, as she founded the Vince Ngatara Foundation. This organization tackles mental health concerns among immigrant and refugee youth, promoting emotional well-being, suicide prevention, and mental health awareness.

Lydia champions culturally sensitive mental health tools and trauma-informed care within the healthcare system. She empowers first-generation immigrant families with knowledge to navigate mental health services, fostering a safer and healthier community for all.

Linda Gallagher

Strategic Initiatives Administrator
Kansas Department For Children and Families

Linda has been with DCF for five years, based in Overland Park. Her responsibilities include outreach to collaborate with community partners. She served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2015 to 2018, representing portions of Shawnee, Lenexa and Overland Park. She served on the House Children and Seniors and Social Services Budget committees and on the Child Welfare System Task Force.

Carey Spain, MBA, MSW, LCSW

Senior Director of Integrated Community Care 
Children's Mercy Hospital

Carey is responsible for the oversight of delegated medical & behavioral health functions for health plans contracted with Children's Mercy's Pediatric Care Network. Carey also oversees community partnerships that aim to support children and families in reaching optimal health and well-being.  Carey is a master's prepared Social Worker and Accredited Case Manager with 25 years of experience in health care.  Carey currently serves as Lee's Summit appointee on the Health Forward Foundation's Community Advisory Committee.

Rennie Shuler-McKinney, LCP

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Director of Behavioral Health
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Rennie leads the Behavioral Health Service Line to provide comprehensive treatment for those with mental and substance use issues. She has spent her career connecting with individuals who are considering ending their lives and assisting them in finding hope, treatment, and resources. Rennie is honored to serve our community in efforts towards ending suicide.