Management & Staff
Suzanne F. McNeely, MSW, RG
President, Founder
Suzanne F. McNeely has worked as a medical social worker and administrator in rehabilitation, hospitals and home care for over 25 years. She also has had the very personal and rewarding experience of being a primary caregiver for her developmentally disabled grandson. Suzanne founded Senior Planning Services in 1989 with the vision of helping the elderly and disabled live out their lives safely and with quality of life, comfort and dignity. In her many years of work in health care, Suzanne had seen how support and advocacy enabled persons at risk of institutionalization to remain in their own homes, even under the most challenging of circumstances. Suzanne is a recognized leader in her profession and in the Santa Barbara community. She has served on the Board of Directors for many organizations advancing the welfare of the elderly and disabled, such as Jane Adams Hull House, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Conservatorship, Advocacy and Protective Services of Santa Barbara. She has acted as a professional fiduciary under Powers of Attorney, Conservatorships and Trusts since 1989.
Sue Kuizenga, RN, BSN, CMC
Executive Director
Sue, a 30-year resident of Santa Barbara, joined Senior Planning Services in 2000 bringing a wide variety of experiences and knowledge. Upon graduation from Ohio State University School of Nursing, she was “shipped off” to California to serve in the Navy Nurse Corps for three years, and had the unique opportunity of working with the Vietnamese refugees at Camp Pendleton at the end of the Viet Nam war. Most of her hospital nursing assignments were in Surgical Intensive Care and Coronary Care Units. When not working Sue enjoys hiking, kayaking, aerobics, feeding the birds at Wildlife Care Network and agility training with her dog, Willy at MacKenzie Park. As director she thoroughly enjoys the challenges and rewards of working together with caregivers and professional staff to enhance the quality of life for our elderly clients.
Kathy Yeomans, RN
Director of Client Services
Kathy Yeomans is a long time Santa Barbara resident. She is a registered nurse with a broad range of skills, both clinical and administrative. She started her career in the acute hospital environment, building experience in medical/surgical, emergency room and critical care. Kathy then spent many years working with the elder population and those with disabilities while employed at the Arthritis Institute and at the former Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara. In addition to her nursing skills, Kathy has developed expertise in quality management, risk management, safety, disaster planning, systems analysis and process improvement. She is certified in infection control and human resource management.
Kathy is the author of “The Able Gardener” a book about overcoming physical limitations to gardening.
When she is not at her desk or with her clients you may run into her on the hiking trails, walking on the beach, or in the garden. She spends rainy days writing, quilting, reading or visiting with friends and family. Kathy’s a pushover for animals and has cared for many pets and rescue animals that include; dogs, cats, fish (both salt and fresh water) lovebirds, a toad, a snake, a tarantula, an opossum and a wild finch. Not to mention the family of skunks that lives rent-free under her deck.
Lenda Smith, RN
ElderCare Coordinator
Lenda brings over 20 years of experience in many areas of home care, from direct care in the home to being Administrator of HealthStaf Home Care in Minnesota. Lenda relocated to California with her husband and 3 daughters in 1997, and can now say she has survived the teenage years! She has the uncanny ability to stay calm in the most challenging situations and demonstrates creativity in coordination of caregivers and client care. Lenda has been part of the Senior Planning Services team since October of 2000.
Deborah Brown, MA, CCC-SLP, CMC
Care Manager
Deborah holds a Master’s Degree and California State License in Speech/Language Pathology and has over 25 years of experience working with adults with communication disorders and cognitive impairments in hospitals, homes and rehabilitation centers. After moving to Santa Barbara from Chicago in 1990, she worked for several home health agencies, rehabilitation outpatient centers and skilled nursing facilities. Deborah’s interest in communication led her to receive training in mediation and conflict resolution. She began working for Senior Planning Services as a geriatric care manager in 1998. Deborah is active with several Santa Barbara Community non-profit organizations including the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Center and she serves on the Board of Directors of the Central Coast Alzheimer’s Association. In addition, she facilitates a local support group for spouses of people with Alzheimer’s Disease. Deborah holds the nationally recognized certification in Care Management from the National Academy of Certified Care Managers. Deborah and her husband Steve are owned by three small but feisty parrots.
Jackie Quinn, PhD
Care Manager
Jackie received her Bachelor of Arts Degree, double Major in Business Administration and Psychology from Antioch University prior to receiving her Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Psychology from Saybrook Graduate School. Since moving from Toledo, Ohio to Santa Barbara in 1982, Jackie has been in the estate planning and estate administration field. In 1994, she established a financial management firm offering a broad range of services including accounts payable, daily money management, financial statements, trust accounting, trust administration, insurance-related forms and client advocacy. Jackie’s vast experience includes acting as both a private trustee and executor. She is a member of the Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Council of Santa Barbara County and her volunteer work includes the Cancer Center and the Arthritis Foundation. Jackie’s almost 30 years of dedicated work with Santa Barbara County seniors has lead up to her recent employment at Senior Planning Services.
Ginny Reis
Care Manager, MFT
Ginny graduated from John F. Kennedy University in Orinda California with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She currently is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She moved to Santa Barbara in 2000 from the Bay Area. Her previous experience has been with Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services working with the persistent and severe mentally ill population. In addition, she worked as a Care Manager then promoted to Director of Client Services with Pacific Pride Foundation working with the HIV and AIDS community. She is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists on a state and local level. When she is not working you may see her hiking the trails of Santa Barbara or walking the many beaches or at the farmers market since she enjoys many activities in beautiful Santa Barbara. She also enjoys her two cats, Haggen and Daz.
Connie McGaw
Office Manager
Connie joined the staff of Senior Planning Services in 1999. As Office Manager and Bookkeeper, Connie’s calm demeanor and attention to detail keep the SPS front office running smoothly. While her background includes extensive experience as a bookkeeper in many different areas including tax preparation and law, Connie also brings to SPS the knowledge and experience she acquired while working as a Certified Nursing Assistant for a home health company. A Georgia native, Connie and her husband relocated to Southern California where she enjoys gardening at her North County home and singing karaoke on Friday nights.
Lorien Crawford
Administrative Assistant
Lorien Crawford was born and raised in England and brings a great sense of humor and a wealth of life experience to her role as Administrative Assistant. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Ceramics from the University of Wolverhampton, School of Art and Design in the West Midlands, UK. Lorien moved to California in 2005 and has worked in a great variety of arts settings and customer service positions in the UK and in the USA, prior to joining Senior Planning Services in 2007. Lorien comes from a large family and likens her experience of working for Senior Planning Services to being ‘home’ away from home.
Beyond the office, Lorien has many interests. She sings, writes, plays piano, makes art, dances salsa and enjoys all pelagic sports.
Ellen Fitzgerald
Executive Assistant
Ellen joined the staff of Senior Planning Services in February, 2006, after retiring as a Department/Program Analyst from the Santa Barbara County Social Services Department and previously working in Social Services in Ohio.
When not at Senior Planning Services with her friends and co-workers, Ellen enjoys her home in Goleta, which she shares with her three dogs. She is an avid Los Angeles Laker’s Basketball fan, loves to shop and going for long walks.
Cindi Thompson
Administrative Assistant
Cindi is a long time resident of Santa Barbara County who first became acquainted with Senior Planning Services through her work with the Santa Barbara Alzheimer’s Association. After obtaining her Associates Degree from Skagit Valley College in Washington, Cindi returned to Santa Barbara looking for a position that would allow her once again to work with the elderly population in our community. She brings with her an understanding of dementia care and knowledge of local resources for seniors in need. When time permits Cindi enjoys reading, a good run by the beach or a quick swim.
Cassi Noel
Community Liason
Cassi was born, raised, and lived in Texas until she joyfully moved to Santa Barbara just over four years ago. She has a BS in Nutrition, an MS in Allied Health Science (public health), and two minors in Psychology and one in Public Administration.
She successfully managed and directed a 7 county regional WIC Program with 13 clinics, 60 employees, and a 1.4 M annual budget in East Texas for over 10 years. WIC is a federally funded nutrition education program that serves pregnant/breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to 5 years old. She has also served as Clinic Manager of the Franklin and Carpinteria Health Clinics for SB County Public Health Dept.
Cassi most recently served as Production Coordinator for a local e-marketing company which designs marketing websites for major resorts throughout the United States and Mexico.
And she is very excited to be a part of the talented Senior Planning Services team!
Barbara Burger
Media Specialist
Willy
Cuddle Coordinator, Therapy dog-in-training
Willy has been part of the SPS family since his arrival to Santa Barbara in November, 2007 when he was just 10-weeks old. Originally “hired” to bring additional warmth to our office environment, he has quickly won the hearts of staff and clients alike. Our care managers frequently escort Willy to the homes of many of our clients, warming their hearts and laps, giving “kisses” on command! At the suggestion of the son of one of our clients, we have created a new position for our junior employee: Cuddle Coordinator. He can often be seen on the streets of Santa Barbara greeting his many admirers. For fun, Willy likes the beach, kayaking, his weekly agility classes and of course, TREATS.