Advena is a family-owned company dedicated to the vision that each person has value and is able to learn and grow throughout life. Whether living in our communities or working in them, we are committed to the notion that the customer is always right, and that even in a heavily regulated environment, we must make “home” a real thing. We do this through the pursuit of person-centered care, the preservation of autonomy, and participative decision-making throughout the organization.
Willie Novotny, Owner and Chief Financial Officer
I took a part-time position as a Certified Nurse Assistant over 20 years ago while I was in school, and it has turned into the most exciting career I could have imagined. I have met some amazing people, been a part of some fascinating changes in the industry, and had the opportunity to learn from some big wins and some even bigger mistakes.
I consider myself a work in progress and understand that everyone else is too. I look forward to getting out of bed every day to help our staff work on problems and find solutions that will make us successful. Our team offers many years of experience, systems and solutions, but even more important, we bring a positive, supportive attitude and energy. We work hard to ensure each person living in our communities gets to live how they want to, on their own schedule, and is able to maintain those special daily pleasures, rituals and traditions that make them who they are.
Michelle Novotny, Owner and Chief Nursing Officer
I grew up in a very small town in northeastern Kansas, where most of our neighbors were older. As a kid, I would go to their houses often, usually just for some stories and to visit, but also to see if they needed anything. That’s what you do in a small town — you take care of each other.
As I grew up, that feeling of wanting to take care of others only grew stronger. I started college in pursuit of a different career, but as I progressed through school, in the back of my mind I always had that desire to make a difference and take care of people. I decided to change my path and pursue a career in nursing. While preparing for nursing school, I became a nurse aide, landed a job as a Certified Nurse Assistant in a local nursing home and fell in love. I fell in love with the elders I cared for and the people I worked with who shared that same passion for others. Now, I’m fortunate enough to be able to share my passion with others, and I have the honor of being able to meet so many more people in our communities, elders and caregivers, all of whom teach me just as much as I teach them.
Jamie Spillman, Regional Director of Support Services
I remember visiting my great-grandmother who unfortunately was past the point of being able to care for herself. I will never forget watching my aunt rub my Maw-maw’s favorite lotion into her hands and brushing her hair as she talked about her day. You see, Maw-maw was always very well put together, and my aunt didn’t do these things out of a sense of duty, but because she understood these things were important to her.
A display of kindness such as this has nothing to do with education, wealth or status in life. Instead, it is a mindset that I am excited to help cultivate and establish in our communities.
The fundamentals of our HR team are to assist those who assist others. Our company is built on the care of people, and that care includes the employees. I believe the support system we are building helps drive high-quality care. I offer support by looking for quality caregivers, writing policy and procedures, and helping others to appreciate their value on our team. It may seem like a simple thing, but I find it rewarding to assist them.
Heather Dampier, VP of Marketing and Business Development
I have had the honor of working in the senior living industry for more than 30 years. From the very beginning of my career, I have believed this work is more than a profession—it is a higher calling and a true privilege to care for residents and to support the families who entrust us with their loved ones.
I began my journey as an Activity Director in a nursing home in Missouri, where I learned firsthand the importance of connection, dignity, and purposeful engagement. That foundation shaped my career as I progressed into roles including Marketing Director, Senior Business Development Director, Sales and Census Strategist, and ultimately Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Advena Living.
In addition to my leadership roles, I have spent over 15 years working in the professional senior living sales training and coaching industry. As a strategist, I have partnered with teams across the industry to drive revenue growth, strengthen market positioning, and improve customer satisfaction—always with the belief that strong sales practices should align with genuine care, integrity, and trust.
Each role deepened my understanding of the senior living continuum and reinforced my commitment to both compassionate care and operational excellence.
Most importantly, I remain grounded in the belief that behind every metric, every move-in, and every decision is a person who deserves respect, compassion, and exceptional care.
Brent Mason, Controller
Jennifer Zucca, Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management
Jennifer Zucca is a seasoned healthcare revenue cycle executive with over 25 years of experience built from the ground up. Beginning her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), she developed a strong foundation in patient care that continues to shape her strategic approach to financial operations. She now serves as a Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management, bringing extensive expertise in optimizing reimbursement, strengthening cash flow, and improving operational efficiency.
Jennifer has worked across skilled nursing and senior care organizations, partnering with leadership teams to streamline revenue cycle processes, reduce denials, and drive sustainable financial performance. Known for her collaborative leadership style and practical problem-solving approach, she aligns clinical, operational, and financial teams to achieve measurable results while maintaining a patient-centered focus.
Glenn Blacklock, Regional Director of Facilities
I was raised to value hard work. If something needed to be done, you did it. If you didn’t know how, you figured it out. I also was taught that if someone needed help, you helped them. I made my way into college and then accidentally became a nursing home administrator. An appetite for hard work, a “dig in and figure it out” attitude, and a “help those who need help” mentality were essential to my survival in the long-term care world.
In trying to figure out a better way to provide long-term care, I was blessed to be involved in the early stages of the culture change world. I learned from the best. My passion for creating good lives for those in nursing homes and assisted living environments continued to grow. I am blessed to be able to continue to learn each day from great caregivers and, of course, from so many amazing elders who willingly share their wisdom with me.
Ashley Reddig, Regional Director of Nursing
I’m excited to be back with Advena Living as the Regional Director of Nursing. I enjoy working with different communities and learning how the buildings operate, while being able to utilize my skills as a DON. I like sharing my knowledge with the clinical teams about what to do and what not to do. And I’m always eager to learn new regulations and guidelines.
My career in nursing started in 2006 as a CNA. I then worked my way to LPN and RN. The majority of my career has been in long term care. I ventured to a career in pediatrics for a short period and was drawn back to LTC. I feel like LTC is my calling in life because I truly enjoy working with this clientele.
Outside of work I love spending time with my Great Pyrenes rescue dog and reading a good suspense novel.
Kimpton Hopkins, Regional Administrator
I fell in love with long-term care over 20 years ago. Originally licensed in the state of Kansas in 2001, I’ve expanded my licensure to over five states. It truly has been the ride of a lifetime. I love helping care for those who cannot care for themselves—it is both a mission and a calling for me. From a young age, I spent time with older members of my family, gleaning from their knowledge. My maternal grandmother is 107! She taught me the value of being respectful and living a full life. I am a Husband, a Daddy to four, and a Papi to four. One of the tenets I live by is, “I don’t do what I do to get ‘rich’; I do it because I get ‘enriched’ by the lives I affect and those who affect me.”
Pamela Gallegos, Assistant Director of Support Services
After raising a family & helping my husband start and operate many different businesses I knew it was time for a change. When we became empty-nesters in 2019 I started looking for my ‘next job’ in which I could meet new people, learn new things & expand my knowledge & skills. I have always been drawn to the medical fields & when I started my job search I looked exclusively along that field. I was lucky enough to get an interview. When I walked into the interview of the entire office of 9 and saw how they interacted with each other, I knew I had found the right place to learn & grow. I have a great supportive cast of characters here at Advena!
Jennifer Buckley, Director of Staffing and Client Relations
I am the oldest of seven, so I had to help take care of my brothers and sisters and keep track of everything we had going on while my mom was in nursing school. Having to be more responsible at a young age has really helped me as an adult personally and professionally. Growing up in a big family has shown me that things run a lot more smoothly and are less stressful when you are organized.
I have worked in several positions during the growth of our company, and being the Staffing Director is my favorite. I have always been an introvert, and this has really helped me get out of my comfort zone. I have great relationships with our clients and staff, and I look forward to helping our company continue to provide the best care to our community members, clients and staff.
Andrea Gallaway, Accountant
I’m an Accountant at Advena Living, where I handle accounts payable processing and maintain vendor relationships. My career includes roles at Kansas State University and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane, and I hold a degree in Accounting and Business/Management from Whitworth University.
Transitioning from nonprofit work to the healthcare industry at Advena Living is an exciting new chapter for me, aligning with my passion for impactful work and community service.
Born and raised in Washington State, I moved to Kansas in 2022. I enjoy yoga, kayaking, camping, and snowshoeing. I’m also a fan of true crime podcasts.
With the support of a family-owned business, balancing a dynamic career with family life is seamless. I deeply appreciate the excellent and supportive culture at Advena Living and am excited to contribute to this vibrant team.
Shannon Osborne, Payroll Coordinator
As a late bloomer in life, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, but have always been drawn to numbers. In my youth, I loved to play with a calculator and see how numbers worked together. I spent hours just running calculations to see what they would become for fun. As a young adult, I enrolled in the Job Corps Program in Manhattan, KS. During that time, I became a part of the Student Mentor program, where I would work with new students to show them the ropes and how the system worked, as a student resident. This experience allowed me to become more comfortable with meeting people from all walks of life and helped me develop successful working relationships. After approximately a year, I felt like I had reached my personal goal at Job Corps and it was my time to move on to the next step in life. I began working in several roles in accounting and even dabbled in customer service at a call center.
At Advena, I look forward to coming into work every day to manage the payroll process, from the hours people work to transferring our payroll system into the carefully calculated paycheck employees receive. From my call center days, I can help employees identify payroll issues and discuss the best course of action for resolution. I enjoy the culture here at Advena, where I get to let my guard down, be myself, and work in a comfortable environment, where others have an opportunity to see the real me.
Ben Landes, Senior Accountant
Greetings. I hold both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accountancy that I received from the University of Central Missouri. While in school, I gained experience in multiple areas of accounting, from private sector accounting with a local HVAC company, to nonprofit work and tax preparation at a public accounting firm. I also served in leadership roles through Greek Life, where I helped raise funds for causes such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and Special Olympics.
After graduation, I worked as an auditor for the state of Alaska before recently moving back to Kansas City to be closer to family. I am excited to start here with Advena and bring my experience to a company that is mission-driven and values-oriented. Outside of work, I love to spend time with my two dogs, Chief and Boscoe. My favorite outdoor hobbies include hiking, skiing, and fishing. My favorite indoor hobbies include cooking, painting, video games, and board games. Thank you.
Kayden Martinez, Staff Accountant
Detail-oriented and motivated Staff Accountant at Advena Living, with a strong foundation in accounting and business administration. Before joining Advena, I worked at a medium-sized public accounting firm, where I gained valuable experience in the tax filing process and developed a solid understanding of client service in a fast-paced environment.
I earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Business Administration from Southwestern College while competing as a collegiate athlete—an experience that sharpened my discipline, time management, and teamwork. I’m eager to keep learning, contribute wherever I’m needed, and continue growing in the accounting field.
Alisa Reintjes, Executive Assistant & Business Support Specialist
With over 30 years of experience in administration and logistics across IT Staffing, military, and trucking sectors, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. My passion for the Long Term Care (LTC) industry stems from a deep commitment to contributing to an area where compassionate, high-quality support is essential. My awareness of this need was profoundly shaped by the compassionate care my grandparents received, highlighting the importance of dedicated professionals in this field. My goal is to leverage my career experience to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the support services I provide and ensure that that I help Advena Living meet the highest standards of excellence.
Outside of my professional endeavors, I enjoy spending time with my cats, diving into a good book, listening to music, drinking coffee and being an active aunt to my nieces and nephews.