Joanna Marie specializes in working with her clients by helping them avoid the common mistakes made during a trying family time. She has experienced the trials and tribulations of family members needing assistance both personally and professionally, Joanna's experiences have given her the insight to navigate the medical, legal and financial worlds to give her clients empowering information in order to make well informed decisions. Her greatest strength is her passion and full understanding of her clients needs. Her professional knowledge comes from working with medical providers such as: Hillhaven Corporation, Ocadian Health Care, Health Quality Management Group, Northern California Veterans Medical Center, Chelsea Naval Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. She has established Patient and Family Advocate programs for major medical providers and educational programs for company employees focusing on personal and professional growth. Her background also includes working with Elder Law Attorneys and Crisis Intervention Teams. As a preceptor for California State Northridge she mentored graduate students in the school's Medical Administration Program. Joanna attended Bryant & Stratton College and Northeastern University. She is certified as a Trainer of Trainers for Case Management Teams through UCLA's David Grant Foundation, a Social Worker, Paralegal and Notary Public. Joanna lives and works in the East Bay. She is an active member with Contra Costa County*s Ageing and Adult SHARE Planning Committee and volunteers at various medical facilities with her 2 pet therapy dogs Fonzi and Sadie. In her free time she volunteers by giving back to the Concord Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps who gave her children the insight and discipline to be successful adults today. Joanna is a proud Mom of her son serving as a Navy Pilot and her daughter, after retiring from the Toni Award winning Broadway Production BLAST!, studies to be a Physical Therapist and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Lela knows the challenge of the ‘Sandwich Generation’ only to well. Like so many, Lela was challenged with caring for her own family and frail parents while working on her professional career. Lela’s personal experience and perseverance has rewarded her with unique knowledge and compassion. Today she guides families so they can avoid the pitfalls and common mistakes that face them as she has addressed them herself. Professionally her work with Kaiser Permanente gave her practical experience of the inner working of the medical environment. Lela recognized the many wonderful things medical providers offer yet, for her, there was something missing – the challenges of caring for a frail person when outside of the medical environment. Lela’s work at Kaiser gave her the opportunity to hear about family challenges in finances, legal and lifestyle when making the adjustments to care for their loved ones. She began researching these aspects and decided to become involved in addressing the financial issues surrounding her clients.She entered the world of finance and banking specializing in real estate transactions that gives families the ability to utilize there property wealth without risking their financial future. Lela was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a graduate of Diablo Valley College with a degree is in speech communication. She is a licensed Realtor with emphasis on senior products. She is an active member of the Women’s council of Realtors, Business Networking International (BNI) and the Martinez and Pleasant Hill Chambers of Commerce. A community person, Lela volunteers with the Contra Costa County Child Abuse Prevention Council. Lela and her husband, Robert have been married for 28 years. Their daughter, Andrea, is studying for her Ph.D. in Psychology. They enjoy hiking, biking, cooking and traveling the United States going to art fairs and wineries. Lela’s personal passion is researching current issues to her profession through specialty libraries and of course the internet.