Leadership & Board

Mike has more than 30 years of post-acute health care experience, beginning his career with Kindred Healthcare based in Louisville, KY. He has experience as a nursing home administrator, working his way up to president of the nursing center division, where he managed operations of Kindred’s billion-dollar multi-state portfolio of skilled nursing and assisted living locations. Prior to joining Care Initiatives, Mike was chief operating officer of a $1 billion company that provided skilled nursing care, assisted living, independent living, rehabilitation and hospice services. 

Through the Iowa Healthcare Association (IHCA), Mike has served on numerous boards and committees. He is also an executive board member for eCap and serves on numerous industry boards and committees.

Mike earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maine.

Cami joined Care Initiatives from UnityPoint Health at Work, where she was the regional director of clinical operations, providing oversight for 15 locations across multiple states. She brings a wealth of health care operations and clinical expertise, having also held various leadership roles at Compassus and Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center and Surgery Center. 

She volunteers in her community, often supporting local education and athletics. 

Cami obtained her ADN/RN certification from Black Hawk College. She holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Iowa and is currently working toward her master’s degree at Western Governors University. 

Prior to joining Care Initiatives Dave worked in public accounting in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Dave has served as chair of the Iowa Healthcare Association (IHCA) Board of Directors, chair of the IHCA Foundation Board, and serves on the board of Extended Care Services of Iowa, Inc. (ECSI) a group-purchasing subsidiary of IHCA. He also sits on the American Health Care Association’s Not for Profit Council, the Regional Multi-Facility Council, and the Business Management Committee. His charitable works include 20 years on the board of the Des Moines Ronald McDonald House, and the Children and Family Urban Movement.

Dave obtained his degree from the University of Northern Iowa. He is a certified public accountant (CPA).

Prior to joining Care Initiatives, Emily was vice president of compliance, counsel, and corporate secretary for an insurance and financial services holding company.  

Emily is involved in several professional associations and is a current member of the American Health Care Association’s legal committee and serves on the board of the Association of Corporate Counsel – Iowa Chapter. She previously served for almost a decade on the non-profit board for Camp Fire Heart of Iowa. 

Emily graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law and is admitted to the Iowa Bar.

Jeannette, who joined Care Initiatives in 2009, has held various leadership positions in skilled nursing and hospice. Most recently, Jeannette played a key role in developing the Hospice Quality Assurance Program. Prior to her roles with Care Initiatives, Jeannette served as a regional director of clinical operations at Kindred Healthcare and as director of patient services for Assisted Home Health and Hospice in Santa Barbara, California.

Jeannette serves on the NHPCO regulatory committee and holds certificates for Hospice Quality and Compliance, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

A graduate of Chamberlain University, Jeannette holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and obtained her master’s degree in nursing informatics from Purdue Global.

Prior to joining Care Initiatives in 2000, Jeramy served as a licensed physical therapist and has 30 years of experience as a health care clinician, manager, and executive. His practice experience includes outpatient, inpatient, long-term care, and home health throughout the Midwest.

Jeramy is a member of the American and Iowa Bar Associations, as well as the American Health Care Association and American Health Lawyers Association. Jeramy maintains active membership in the American Physical Therapy Association, where he has served as APTA Iowa Ethics Chair and is a current member of the Ethics Committee for the southwest district of APTA Iowa. He was a governor appointee to the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy in 2016 and currently serves as its Chair. 

A graduate of Iowa State University, Jeramy also obtained his master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Iowa and a law degree from Drake University.

With over 25 years of experience in human resources and more than a decade in senior living and health care, Joey previously served as vice president of human resources at Lifespace Communities, where she led human resource operations across 15 locations in eight states. Her accomplishments include leading the people elements of acquisitions, implementing creative employee support and recognition programs, and developing HR strategies to support business growth. 

Joey is passionate about giving back to her community. She is an active volunteer for several philanthropic causes, including the Alzheimer’s Association.

A certified human resource professional, Joey attended Upper Iowa University, where she earned a degree in business management and psychology and graduated cum laude.

Jessica has a passion for caring for residents in a post-acute health care setting and has spent her entire career in skilled nursing, serving in environmental services, as a certified nursing assistant and as a licensed nursing home administrator and regional director of operations for Care Initiatives. 

Through the Iowa Healthcare Association (IHCA), Jessica has served on several committees and on the Board of Directors, as well as the IHCA Foundation Board. 

Jessica attended the University of Iowa, where she graduated from the Tippie College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in management with an emphasis in aging studies.

Johanna has more than 30 years of experience serving in long-term care. Her passion began while working as a certified nursing assistant in a skilled nursing facility during high school. She has served as a state surveyor for the Bureau of Quality Assurance in the State of Wisconsin and served as a regional nurse consultant and vice president for various organizations in senior living in multiple states.  

She serves on various committees and boards, including the Iowa Healthcare Association (IHCA) and the American Healthcare Association (AHCA). 

Johanna obtained her associate degree from Moraine Park Technical College and her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Concordia University–Wisconsin.

Spending much of her career in the senior living and hospice space, Meghan has led regional sales, opening brand new skilled communities and rental CCRC in the Kansas City Metro as well as assisting with program development and sales training. In addition, she has served as vice president of healthcare sales and marketing for a multi-state Continuing Care Retirement Community. 

Meghan is a community volunteer, most recently serving as a board member for Farmer’s House, a nonprofit working to empower youth and adults with developmental disabilities. 

A graduate of the University of Kansas, Meghan has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. 

Michael Beal, CEO & Board Vice Chair
Term: June 2020 – Perpetual

Mike has more than 30 years of post-acute health care experience. Before joining Care Initiatives, Mike was the chief operating officer of a $1 billion company that provided skilled nursing care, assisted living, independent living, rehabilitation and hospice services. Mike maintains membership and board affiliation with multiple organizations.

Mary Jane Carothers, Board Secretary
Term: Dec. 2023 – Dec. 2028

Mary Jane, a retired nurse and long-term care administrator, brings a wealth of industry and clinical knowledge. She has served as the vice president of Quality Improvement & Clinical Affairs for the Iowa Health Care Association. She also has served on multiple boards and committees for the American Health Care Association, Telligen and Iowa Health Care Collaborative.   

Lane Bowen, Director
Term: Dec. 2020 – Dec. 2026

A licensed physical therapist by trade, Lane has extensive experience in developing and managing specialty services programs, including rehabilitation and managed care. Lane has served as an executive leader for numerous multi-state skilled nursing and assisted living providers. He has also authored and co-authored multiple publications on Medicare. 

Linda Upmeyer, BSN, ARNP-c, Director
Term: June 2022 – Dec. 2027

Linda began her career as a certified nursing assistant at a local nursing home, later becoming a nurse practitioner. Linda then turned to politics, serving in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2003 to 2021, and as the Speaker of the House from 2016 to 2020. Linda was the first female Speaker in Iowa’s history. 

Kevin Childs, Director
Term: Dec. 2023 – Dec. 2028

Kevin has spent his career supporting organizations in gaining efficiencies and effectiveness with their workforce interactions through the creation and deployment of scalable, on-demand patient experience SaaS solutions. He is a frequent customer experience industry speaker with over 25 keynote addresses. Kevin co-authored the book, “Interpreting the Voice of the Customer”, with Dr. Jon Anton of Purdue University. 

Peter Corless, Director
Term: Jan. 2025 – Dec. 2030

Spending most of his career in post-acute health care, Peter has served as the senior administrative and human resources officer with two of the largest post-acute providers in the United States. He has developed strategies that reduced turnover, improved recruitment and hiring, and reduced labor costs. Peter served as the Associate Business Member (ABM) President for the American Health Care Association Board of Governors and as the ABM Representative on the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) Board of Directors.