Coalition Leadership Team

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.

Mindy Wells

Blue Valley School District

Mindy has sixteen years of experience in education.  Experienced working as a school counselor at elementary, middle school and high school.  Experience as an elementary principal and assistant principal.  Currently the district coordinator of student support services for Blue Valley Schools. Adjunct professor in the school counseling program at Mid America Nazarene and a member of the education advisory council.

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.

Jennifer Pennington

Shawnee Police Department

Jennifer is a Detective at the Shawnee Police Department. She has been in investigations for a little over 4 years, and with the department almost 12 years. She serves on the department as a Mentor, Crisis Negotiator, Peer Support Team, Metro Squad member, Officer Involved Shooting team member, and many other miscellaneous duties/committees/ etc. She recently developed a program along with our previous co-responder, to implement mental health outreach and follow up upon releasing any firearm from the property room.

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. 

Troy Snyder

Director of Holistic Wellness + Spiritual Life
KidsTLC

Troy works at KidsTLC as the Direction of Holistic Wellnes + Spiritual Life that serves both the Clients and the Staff, evaluating systems, and a bit of work in Development. 

Troy has been an advocate for Wellness throughout his professional life, taking multitudes of classes offered at the Kauffman Foundation on Suicide Strategies of Prevention and post care, forming networks in different circles. He is a “connector,” developing partnerships with the community at-large. This includes forming partnerships with local non-profit organizations, community service organizations, and public schools.

Tony Medina

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Community Advocate

Tony is a former retail marketing director, and new owner of a custom embroidery studio. As a loss survivor, Tony works to prevent suicide by improving awareness in the community. In addition to suicide prevention and good mental health, Tony advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.

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.