Our Team

LeAnn Keck joined the Trauma Smart team in 2014. She has over ten years of clinical experience working with children, adults, and families in a variety of settings such as community trauma education and prevention, early childhood education, counseling, palliative care, and military services. LeAnn has expertise in play therapy and attachment work with children ages three-thirteen years old. She is currently the Senior Manager of Community Programs overseeing both Trauma Smart and In Home Services.

Laura Niederer joined the Trauma Smart team in 2015. Laura has over 6 years of clinical experience working with families, adults, and children in a private practice setting. She has over 12 years of experience providing support, advocacy, and empowerment to women and children in domestic violence shelters. In addition, Laura has a certification in Play Therapy working with children ages 3 and up. She is currently a Manager and Trainer at Trauma Smart of Crittenton Children’s Center in Kansas City.

Jeannie Thurston is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She joined the Trauma Smart team in 2013. She has over 20 years of experience working with children, adults, and families. Her experiences include working in mental health, substance abuse, community education and counseling. She has a passion for increasing caregiver’s knowledge of the impact of trauma on individuals through education and clinical services. She is currently serving as a Manager, trainer, and consultant for the Trauma Smart program.

Tennille joined Trauma Smart in 2016. Tennille holds a degree in business management and  brings over 20 years of administrative experience to the department. She manages and oversees office logistics, handles financial including client billing, accounts payable, and purchasing, and assists in development of office policies and procedures. Tennille approaches the job with a positive, hardworking mind-set and is passionate about helping others find solutions. She brings with her an extensive background in customer service in the private and non-for-profit environment to the team and our clients.

Rachael Thomas holds a Masters degree in Social Work and has experience working with children, families and seniors in a variety of areas in the community. She's had opportunities working to advocate and facilitate events surrounding mental health, community involvement, affordable & sustainable housing and positive development in youth. Rachael's passion is to strengthen poverty-stricken communities in areas such as education, housing, decrease violence and encourage community engagement through an Asset-Based Community Development approach. Rachael joined the Trauma Smart team in July of 2019 as a Trainer/Consultant.

Andrew Penner is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 12 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults.  He started his career working in community mental health focusing on at risk youth in the court system as well as being a school based therapist.  He then spent 7 years as a middle school counselor in an urban district.  Andrew is very passionate about education and helping those who experience trauma to not only survive, but to thrive.

Chris Forte'-Devine holds a Master's Degree in Counseling and is a graduate from The University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC). She has experience working with children, adults and families therapeutically, as well as experience working with children and adults in inpatient and outpatient mental health centers. Chris has a passion for working with and supporting those with mental health struggles as well as helping individuals through difficult times and handling traumatic experiences. Chris strives to help and support those within the community, while shedding light on the impact of trauma, and providing resources and assistance to those in need. She is currently serving as a trainer and consultant for the Trauma Smart program.