Our Team

Marshaun has been active in health care for over 25 years with extensive strategic operational leadership and business development experience.  Serving as Administrator for Crittenton Children’s Center, she is responsible for establishing and achieving Crittenton's short and long-term objectives.  She works to ensure that care for children and their family is high quality, compassionate, effective and safe.  Marshaun leads this important work in collaboration and trust with partners, health care organizations, advocates and government agencies across the communities served.

Susan Pinné has been with Trauma Smart since its inception in 2008. Her career has been centered on therapy for preschool-aged children who have experienced trauma and coaching for their families and teachers. She has served as a therapist, coach, manager, and director in the Trauma Smart Program. Susan is currently the director of Community Programs at Saint Luke’s Hospital Crittenton Children’s Center.

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 director of Trauma Smart.

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 12 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 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.

Tara joined the team in 2017. Tara is responsible for organizing the materials and supplies for all trainings and academies, and her attention to detail and coordination with other team members is crucial for Trauma Smart's success. She is passionate about creating a cohesive team environment and staff wellness.

Ryan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in school, community, and hospital settings. He is passionate about educating individuals on the impact of trauma and supporting organizations in becoming trauma-informed.

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.

McKenna is a trauma-informed trainer and consultant with a variety of experiences; as an LPC, she is constantly growing in her expertise in trauma-work, specializing in modalities like Polyvagal Theory and EMDR. Central to her approach is her commitment to fostering a holistic mind-body connection that can move us beyond survival and into flourishing. McKenna is devoted to fostering collaborative efforts and community care to create and sustain inclusive and affirming environments where individuals from all backgrounds are seen, hear, valued, and celebrated. McKenna's work is driven by the deep-seated belief in the transformative power of trauma-informed care.

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.

Amy Treadwell is a Licensed Professional Counselor on a mission is to build bridges between public education and community mental health.  Amy taught for seven years at the high school level and has worked over the last five years with students K-12 as a school-based therapist in urban, suburban, and rural school districts.  A pivotal moment in her career was teaching in the wake of the 2013 Moore tornado and building a sense of connection and purpose in the classroom within a community deeply impacted by natural disaster.  She has also created and delivered professional development for school staff on student and teacher emotional regulation, playful engagement, mindfulness, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and resilience.  Amy is passionate about building hope and capacity within school communities to meet the needs of students impacted by adverse childhood experiences and to shift the conversation from trauma awareness to evidenced-based solutions.

Danielle Cox is a Trauma Smart Trainer and Consultant.  Danielle has been working in the field for about 5 years with her Master of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University. Her experience includes a variety of settings including Head Start programs, working with individuals who have a developmental disability, volunteering for a crisis text line, and most recently working with children who have mental health diagnosis and their families. Danielle enjoys working with individuals and organizations to help them become more trauma aware.

Chris Forte' 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.

Cierra Buckner holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and a Master's Degree in School Counseling. She has experience with children and families in many different areas. Cierra has worked with families and children impacted by past traumas since 2015. She has always had a passion for promoting child well-being and mental health and delivering services that provide skills to empower families and communities. As a trainer and consultant, she strives to continue her efforts in educating individuals, organizations, and families on the impact of trauma and how to become trauma-informed.