Executive Staff
Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Cordula is a licensed clinical psychologist who has served as the agency's executive director for 15 years. A member of the Department of Community Medicine at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Cordula has dedicated her career to bettering the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and their families. Considered an expert in dementia care, Cordula also holds an appointment with the Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia at University of California, Irvine.She has worked in the field of Alzheimer's disease since 1984, and was recently appointed to serve on the California Alzheimer's Disease Task Force. She has also served as Chair of the State of California Health and Human Services Agency's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee, and the President of the California Association of Adult Day Services. Cordula holds a bachelor's degree in English from Portland State University, a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Portland, and a master's degree in theology and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California.
Shawnmari Kaiser, LCSW
Senior Director of Programs and Services
Shawnmari provides leadership to education and outreach services offered by Alzheimer's Family Services Center and executive-level oversight to adult day health care and caregiver support services. Shawnmari is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Irvine, and a master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California. Shawnmari has specialized in health and behavioral health, including four years as program director of a geriatric behavioral health program. She has also served as adjunct professor and field instructor for the University of Southern California, teaching master's level courses to social work students. Additionally, Shawnmari has spent many years developing and implementing educational courses for the community as well as healthcare professionals. Shawnmari is passionate about education and will oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive educational services designed to enlighten and enrich caregivers, health professionals, and the community.
Karen M. Freeman, MPA
Director of Operations
Karen has worked at the Center for nine years most recently in the capacity of Director of Operations, overseeing the agency's human resources, financial, facility and IT functions. Karen began her career in the political arena, serving as an aide to both a U.S. senator and a U.S. congresswoman. It was through these experiences that Karen decided to dedicate her life to helping those in need. Rather than focusing on direct service, Karen has concentrated on the management of nonprofits for the past 25 years, and throughout her career has specialized in program development and management, finance, human resource management, and fundraising. She has worked in the areas of health care, alternative conflict resolution, and domestic violence. Karen has a bachelor's degree in sociology from Saginaw Valley State University, and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Toledo.
Elizabeth Lee, MPA
Director of ADHC Services
Elizabeth Lee, MPA, Director of ADHC Services, oversees the daily operations of the center's adult day health care program, a role she has found much happiness in. Elizabeth originally joined Alzheimer's Family Services Center as the Manager of Development in July 2005. Always passionate about working with older adults, Elizabeth was especially touched by those affected by dementia at Alzheimer's Family Services Center. Drawn to work directly with participants, Elizabeth became the Manager of Program Services in July 2007, and was appointed Director of ADHC Services in March 2009. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor's degree in organizational leadership from Chapman University and a master's in public policy and administration with a specialization in gerontology from California State University, Long Beach.
Anita Rodriguez-Lambert, M.A.
Director of Development and Communications
Anita joined the agency team as director of development and communications in January 2009. Anita has worked in the non-profit sector since 2001 with most of this time focused on all aspects of fundraising, including event planning, grant writing and major gift development. Previously, Anita worked in marketing and communications for international and national corporations where she gained much knowledge and experience in developing and implementing marketing campaigns, as well as working with the media. Anita has two bachelor's degrees, one in English and the other in liberal studies from California State University Fullerton, plus a master's of arts in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.
Jillian Simon, MSW
Director of Clinical Services
Jillian Simon, MSW, is the Director of Clinical Services at Alzheimer's Family Services Center. Appointed to the position in March 2009, Ms. Simon will oversee all clinical services, including social work, nursing and related health services within the adult day health care, plus caregiver support and counseling services. In her new role, Jillian will help ensure that families have the education, resources and tools to effectively manage Alzheimer's and related dementias. Ms. Simon's social work interests have always centered around the needs of the geriatric population. As the Director of Social Services at Green Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Philadelphia, she provided direct clinical care to seniors. She has also worked in independent living communities and long-term care facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania. After getting her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Ms. Simon relocated to Southern California. She received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. She started working at Alzheimer's Family Services Center in 2007.