Mandy has spent the last 30 years helping others. Through her career, volunteer work and lived experiences she has gained a wealth of knowledge around perseverance, and finding joy (even during the hardest parts of life). As an elementary teacher and principal, Mandy helped her students see themselves as people worthy of love, attention and success. She built communities focused on acceptance, honesty and kindness.

After leaving education in 2013, Mandy and her sister-in-law, Michala Gibson, founded Prairie Elder Care. Here they have built a one of a kind community for people living with dementia and their families. Offering a range of services from residential and day care, to an innovative work program, their focus has been helping individuals and their families achieve the best quality of life possible. In 2020, they released the book, Now is Found, a guide to rethinking dementia care.

Much of Mandy’s work with Prairie Elder Care has been focused on supporting families through this incredibly hard journey. In early 2024, her brother, also Michala’s husband, was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s. Now, they are learning even more intimately the challenges and devastation families face with this disease.

As a mom, Mandy has done her most significant learning in finding joy in the hardest times. While her two sons are now thriving young adults, this has not always been the case. As a family, they have faced mental health crises, addiction, death of friends and family and more. During these challenges, Mandy has worked hard to turn what she learned into a path to helping others.

After working with her own coach for more than three years, Mandy has become focused on helping others through their own challenges. Sharing the power of this work that allows us to find joy during hardship, and a way through even the most difficult of seasons.

Mandy has completed the coursework for ICF ACC certification and expects to achieve full certification in the Spring of 2025. Mandy is also a certified Enneagram practitioner and uses this incredible tool as a foundational component of her coaching.