Our Senior Advocate Team
Sharon Balleau-CDP, Founder,
Senior Advocate
Sharon works closely with independent, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing communities to find the best level of care for the individual needs of each client. Helping senior families since 2012, she is a certified dementia practitioner. Prior to working with seniors, Sharon worked with the local special school district teaching non-verbal autistic preschoolers.
Sharon is a member of COCMA, St. Louis Care Alliance, Senior Resource Teams, VOYCE, Senior Task Force, KIrkwood Des Peres Chamber; she is also the current President of the Breakthrough Coalition and is a trusted resource within the senior industry.
For more information, contact Sharon, 314 960-0002.
Jeff Balleau-CDP, Founder,
Senior Advocate
Jeff has been helping seniors since 2012, and he has also served community organizations as volunteer with Breakthrough Coalition Steering Committee, COCMA board, St. Louis Care Alliance, Kirkwood Des Peres Chamber, VOYCE, and the Wildwood YMCA Board of Advisors. Jeff is member of the National Placement and Referral Alliance and has trained as a dementia practitioner.
For more information, contact Jeff, 314 960-0548.
Carmen Worley – MA, RCAL,
Senior Care Advocate
Carmen brings her understanding of the needs of seniors to her encounters with families—seeking to listen, advocate, and serve well. Her passion for helping families runs deep. She loves getting to know the stories and lives of others, and she’s a helper at heart. Carmen advised her own parents as they made their choice to move to senior living; therefore, she recognizes the need for everyone to have access to a resource like Transitions for Senior Living when making such an important decision. Previously, Carmen was a teacher, so her desire to educate families and seniors is part of her DNA. She has served on several industry committees through the years and believes strongly in giving back whenever possible.
Carmen is a native St. Louisan with two sons. She spends her free time reading, trying new restaurants with friends, and enjoying her deck. Carmen also enjoys the beach, happy hours with friends, chocolate anything, and live music. If you attend The Crossing, you may see her singing with the worship team on occasion, too.
For more information, contact Carmen, 314 960-0519.
Tena Barry, Community Liason,
Senior Advocate
While navigating the long term care system with her aging parents—one with dementia—Tena gained knowledge and understanding of the struggles families face when deciding on the right community for their loved one.
She is an empty nester with 2 adult children and 2 grandsons and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Tena is a member of the Breakthrough Coalition Steering Committee and Education Committee, Senior Resource Teams and Senior Task Force. She has also volunteered on committees for VOYCE and the Alzheimer’s Association. Currently, Tena volunteers at Missouri Baptist Hospital.
Amanda Dees,
Operations Support
Amanda began working in the senior living industry ten years ago, starting as a marketing representative and then as a director of sales. Growing up, Amanda was very close to her grandfather, who lived with her family and greatly influenced her passion for working with seniors. She always loved hearing his personal life stories that he shared with her, and therefore, she appreciates all that our seniors have done for us. Amanda feels truly honored to support seniors and their loved ones as they navigate the transition to a community where they will be valued and can thrive.
