Amanda Schmidt, President  

Dr. Amanda Schmidt, is a physical therapist currently working as a Senior Clinical Liaison at Baylor Scott & White institute for Rehabilitation  in Dallas. For over 18 years her work, training, and hobbies have focused on traumatic and orthopedic injuries, alternative treatment  methods, diet, nutrition, marketing, business development, and patient advocacy.  Aside from work, she enjoys healthy cooking, CrossFit, yoga, running, speaking, and teaching. Her first love is God and His will. Her husband and children are the lights of her life. She’s honored to have the opportunity to play an integral role in TAGS.

Mechelle Hicks, Immediate Past President 

Mechelle Hicks was born and raised in Fort Worth before moving to Joshua as a teenager. She recently moved into a new position as a Hospice Liaison with Interim Healthcare after stepping down as the Director of Business Development for Ride N Safe Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, bringing her almost 20 years of transportation experience to an end. Although relatively new to the senior and healthcare industry, Mechelle has worked tirelessly to meet people and make connections. She led the DFW Healthcare Connection group in Burleson and the Linked Network group in Johnson County for over two years before moving out of that area.

Mechelle graduated Suma Cum Laude from Texas Wesleyan University with a degree in Marketing in 2021 and is hoping to continue to earn her MBA soon.

Mechelle is recently married and has two bonus sons. When not working, she can be found reading, spending time with her family, playing with her puppy, Moose, or at her son’s various sports events.

Sara Egan, President Elect 

Sara’s skilled background as a nurse in oncology laid the foundation for her deep commitment to compassionate patient care, particularly within the senior population. Her passion for building meaningful, authentic connections with patients led her to discover hospice care, where she found her true calling. As the owner and operator of Journey Hospice, Sara is dedicated to changing the narrative of hospice from one of sadness to one of comfort, dignity, and empowerment. Through her work, she focuses on enhancing quality of life and helping patients find peace and joy in familiar surroundings.

Sara holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University. She is Oncology Certified (OCN), a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN), and a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). She is also part of the leadership team for Trending Women – Fort Worth, a monthly gathering created to connect, inspire, and support women in business.

Sara is married and a proud mother of three young boys. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, attending concerts and movies, and spending time with her energetic family.

April Reese, Secretary       

Bio and photo coming soon

Randi Hagstrand, Treasurer 

Randi Hagstrand holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Texas. She dedicated ten years of her career to serving individuals and families within the nursing home setting, where she developed a deep passion for advocacy, connection, and compassionate care. In January 2021, Randi joined Senior Living Specialists as a Community Liaison, continuing her commitment to supporting seniors and their families.

Randi is honored to serve as Treasurer of the TAGS board and as a leader within the Trending Women Southwest Fort Worth branch, where she is passionate about building relationships and supporting women in leadership.

Above all, Randi is a devoted wife and mother of three. She finds joy in visiting local coffee shops, running, baking sourdough, traveling, and spending meaningful time with family and friends.

Vanessa Hernandez, Programs Chair

Vanessa Hernandez is a compassionate and experienced professional who has spent her career supporting older adults and their families. With a deep understanding of the aging journey, she brings warmth and expertise to every   interaction. As a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Dementia Live Coach, Vanessa is especially passionate about helping individuals living with memory loss feel seen, understood, and valued.

A graduate of Texas Wesleyan University, Vanessa blends her academic background with years of hands-on experience in senior care settings. Her approach is rooted in empathy, respect, and a strong commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults and their caregivers.

Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys time with her husband and two children, finding balance and inspiration in family life.

Courtney Chamberlain, Summer Forum Chair

Bio & Photo Coming Soon 

Paige Wolk, LBSW, CDP- Social Work Chair and Senior Vice President, Overture Home Care

Paige Wolk, LBSW, CDP, has over 20 years of experience in the senior care industry.  She began her career as a social worker in a skilled nursing facility and has since developed extensive expertise in senior services, including business development, community education, advocacy, and sales and marketing across long-term care, hospital, rehabilitation, and home care settings. Paige joined Overture Home Care in 2016 and serves as Senior Vice President.  

Paige has a strong passion for dementia care. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and a Dementia Live® Certified Coach Trainer, regularly educating and training professionals, families, and organizations on dementia awareness and best practices. 

Paige is committed to serving organizations across North Texas that advance education, advocacy, and quality of life for older adults and their families. She currently serves as Vice President of Dementia Friendly Fort Worth (DFFW) and is a board member of the DFW Case Management Society of America (CMSA) and the DFW National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA). Paige also serves as Secretary on the board of the nonprofit Trending Women. She is a Past President of the Tarrant Area Gerontological Society (TAGS) and currently serves as Social Work Chair and has been a guest lecturer for Tarrant County College (TCC) and The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).  

Paige resides in Tarrant County with her husband and three adult children (two of whom are in college) and values time spent outdoors and traveling with family and friends.

Toni Sudderth, Community Engagement, Senior Area Advisor, Reliant at Home

Toni Sudderth is a graduate of Tarleton State University with a diverse professional background spanning both banking and healthcare. After a successful 10-year career in banking, Toni transitioned into the healthcare industry in 2015, driven by her strong customer service foundation and a deep, abiding passion for serving the senior population. She began her healthcare journey in home care, gained valuable experience in memory care, and has been a dedicated member of the Reliant at Home home health team for the past eight years. Toni currently serves as Sales Director for the Fort Worth team.

Toni is deeply committed to patient advocacy and family education, particularly for those navigating complex healthcare journeys. Her passion for supporting families impacted by dementia has led her to serve in various roles with the North Central Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She is also actively involved with TAGS, serves as Treasurer for Continuity of Care, and holds the role of Membership Chair for Trending Women. Through these commitments, Toni strives to be a trusted resource for community partners, patients, and families across Tarrant County.

Outside of her professional and nonprofit work, Toni is a wife, mother to two energetic daughters, a proud dog mom, and a Bronco enthusiast. She enjoys spending weekends with family and friends, cheering on her girls from the sidelines, traveling, and reading.

Mariela Heffel,  Faith-Based Chair 

Mariela Heffel is a passionate entrepreneur, certified public speaker, leadership trainer, and co-founder/co-owner of Grand Hospice. Her mission is to bless families and help change the narrative around hospice, especially within the Spanish-speaking community, by reminding them that hospice is not giving up, but choosing comfort, support, and love.

Born in Argentina, Mariela immigrated to the United States 35 years ago, carrying the legacy of her family’s sacrifices and a deep desire to build a better future. Her journey of resilience, overcoming adversity, and boldly pursuing God-given dreams has shaped her core message: “Never settle for average when God has called you to greatness.”

As a speaker and Certified Member of the John C. Maxwell Leadership Team, Mariela brings authenticity, energy, and practical inspiration to audiences, focusing on leadership, resilience, and the power of thinking big. Her mission is to help others rise above fear, embrace their calling, and take daily action toward the future God has prepared for them.

Mariela is married and a proud mother of two daughters, Paula and Victoria. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending quality time with her family.

Jill Morton, Scholarships Chair  

Originally from a small town in West Texas, Jill earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and has called the Fort Worth area home for over a decade. Since 2017, she has built a strong career in the healthcare industry, with a focus on guiding seniors and their families through the complexities of post-acute care.

Her experience spans senior living, home health, and inpatient rehabilitation—equipping her with a well-rounded understanding of the care continuum. Known for her ability to build high-performing sales teams and foster meaningful relationships, Jill leads with empathy, purpose, and a deep commitment to excellence.

Outside of work, she enjoys life with her husband and children. Whether managing family logistics or cheering from the sidelines, she finds her greatest fulfillment in the time spent with loved ones.

Chris Ibarra, Administration Chair

Chris Ibarra has spent the last eighteen years working in the field of senior care.  His experience includes roles in marketing and administration in skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care communities, as well as hospice care.  He is currently the Executive Director of Aviva Granbury.  Inspired by his grandmother, a nurse of more than sixty years, Chris loves the field of geriatrics and strives to provide care and quality of life to those he cares for.

Chris graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor's of Psychology and is currently pursing a Masters in the same field.  He is a Certified Activity Director, Certified Assisted Living Manager, and Certified Crisis Hotline Worker.  Chris routinely volunteers in the community for eldercare related causes and committees.

Chris served on the 2023 TAGS board as President Elect and a member of the scholarship committee.  In his spare time, Chris loves live music, reading, cosplay, and video games.

Christina Mauldin, Nursing Chair, Senior Clinical Liaison Encompass Health 

Christina Mauldin is an LVN and current a clinical Liaison at Encompass Health Inpatient Rehab. She has been a nurse for 16 years, graduating from Tyler Jr College. She is continuing her education at Tarrant County Community College. She has  two children. Jada, 21yrs old and attending college at Oklahoma University. Jrue, 11yrs old who enjoys playing sports, camping and fishing.  Christina has a wide background of nursing history and experience. She has worked in hospice, home health, level 1 trauma hospital, assisted living, skilled nursing and now inpatient rehab.

Corey Autry, Public Policy Chair

With nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare, Corey has dedicated her career to serving the community across a wide range of settings, including primary care, urgent care, medical imaging, pain management, skilled nursing, and hospice care. Her passion for hospice began in her late twenties after walking alongside her great-grandmother during her end-of-life journey, an experience that profoundly shaped both Corey's personal and professional mission.
Today, she is proud to serve as the Sales Director for Kindful Health Hospice, supporting her team, patients, families, and referral partners throughout Tarrant County and the surrounding areas. She is deeply committed to educating our community about hospice care and helping individuals understand the compassion, dignity, and support it provides during life’s most vulnerable moments.

Outside of work, Corey and her husband love to travel, scuba dive, and seek out new adventures and meaningful experiences. They enjoy learning new things together, currently studying Portuguese, and spending time with our beloved dogs, Helo and Luna, as well as Corey’s three pet spiders.

Michelle Myers - Membership Chair, Clifton Coufal Law Firm

Michelle worked in Human Resources and Recruitment for 10 years before leaving in 2014 to help her Mom with the family business, Angelic Place, a Residential Care Home in SW Arlington. There she turned her love of helping people into a love of helping the Elderly and saw how important it was to find the right benefits for the Senior Community. She currently works for the Elder Law Firm Clifton Coufal where she helps with Medicaid Benefits and Veterans and Surviving Spouses with Veterans Benefits. 

Michelle has volunteered for many organizations over the years and currently advocates for Seniors serving on an Alzheimer’s Association North Central Texas Chapter Gala Planning Committee and Tarrant Area Gerontological Society (TAGS) Board. Michelle served as TAGS Scholarship Chair for 3 years before moving into the TAGS President-Elect Position in 2022, President in 2023 and Immediate Past President in 2024. She also served on the Continuity of Care Board for 4 years as Programs Chair. She is very active in the DFW Senior Healthcare Community and is a Co-Creator of the DFW Healthcare Connection Networking Group that currently has 17 monthly Networking Events through out North Texas. Michelle is the first to reach out to help those who are new to the area or industry and is a firm believer in the benefits of Senior Healthcare Networking and knowing your Community Partners. Michelle lives with her husband, two sons, and their Mini Long Haired Doxie Brooks in Waxahachie, Texas. During her spare time, she enjoys decorating, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family. 

Jen Weldon, Scholarship Assistant Chair   

Born and raised in Fort Worth, I have spent the last 15 years serving families in the in-home care industry. Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats, gaining hands-on experience across multiple roles, but my passion has always centered on people and connection.

My mission is simple yet deeply personal, to ensure every family we serve experiences the same level of care, trust, and compassion as the “Jen and Joyce connection.” Joyce is a woman I had the privilege of caring for over five years, and she profoundly changed my life. That relationship shaped the way I view caregiving, reminding me that true care goes far beyond tasks, it’s about relationships, dignity, and heart.

Of all the roles I’ve held, my favorite has been Community Liaison. I love engaging with the community and guiding families through life’s challenging moments, ensuring they always feel supported and informed. I am a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and Dementia Live Coach, and I am currently completing my PATC certification through Teepa Snow to be an even stronger resource for the community.