Staff

Marjorie Moore holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast and Electronic Communications from Marquette University and certificates in CEO Fundraising and Business Administration for Nonprofit Leaders from Washington University in St. Louis. Additionally, she was a member of Focus St. Louis’ Leadership St. Louis Class 39 and the Network for Strong Communities’ Women Executive Director Leadership Academy.

Previously, Marjorie served as President and CEO of MindsEye, a local nonprofit serving people with vision loss, and as the Executive Director of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter.

Marjorie was the host and producer for the 501Crossroads podcast and has served on several boards and committees, including as President of the International Association of Audio Information Services. Currently, Marjorie volunteers on the Finance Committee for Home Sweet Home, a local nonprofit furniture bank.

Shelby holds a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from Missouri State University. She is passionate about learning about other cultures and serving others, which is demonstrated by past volunteer work with Women’s Centers International and the MICA Project. She strives to show this compassion in her new role at VOYCE to better the lives of the population we serve. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors and at the gym, as well as trying new recipes she finds on TikTok. 

As the Event Coordinator, Shelby is excited to support our staff as well as create partnerships within the community in order to reinforce VOYCE’s mission through our education, advocacy, and events. 

Chien Y. Hung, MSW, MA-G, RYT, serves as the Program Director of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, VOYCEconnect, and the Mental Wellness Programs. Chien holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Washington University (2005), as well as a Master’s Degree in Gerontology from Lindenwood University (2015). From 2005 to 2016, Chien worked with clients struggling with critical medical/mental conditions, substance usage issues, and homelessness. Chien has extensive experience in Psychotherapy, Gerontology, case management, community outreach, and long-term care. In his spare time, Chien is a Registered Yoga Teacher and enjoys teaching and practicing yoga.

Under Chien’s direction, the program team strives to help the long-term care residents receive quality person-centered care in Greater St. Louis and Northeast Missouri.

If you are interested in a practicum or internship with Chien at VOYCE, fill out an application today.

Over the past 25 years, Vera Jones, VOYCE’s Development Director, has demonstrated her unwavering commitment and dedication to serving others and helping to improve the quality of life for families throughout the Greater Metropolitan area. She established long-term relationships and partnerships that allow her to partner with other agencies to cultivate and develop sustaining alliances. 

Previously, Vera worked as a Sr. Level Executive at Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House. She led the agency’s Fundraising and Development and Youth Education Department to achieve multichannel revenue growth, audience analytics, and segment marketing. She continued her community efforts by working with the SIUE East St. Louis Center to identify individuals’ training and employment opportunities for lifelong career sustainability.

As Development Director, Vera is excited to hear from partnering agencies/organizations and business constituents to develop opportunities to increase awareness around education, advocacy, empowerment, and safety to those living in long-term care facilities.

Jen Joy, MSW serves as a Regional Ombudsman Coordinator for South County and Jefferson County.  Jen earned a Master of Social Work degree from Saint Louis University and a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Missouri State University.  

Jen has many years of experience working with families in a variety of social service settings including schools,  hospitals, community mental health agencies, and nonprofit organizations.  Jen brings her varied experience and education to VOYCE as well as her compassion to help those underserved in the St. Louis area.  

Nicole Lynch, MSW, serves as VOYCE’s Policy and Advocacy Director. Nicole holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri- Columbia and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Missouri State University.

In her previous position, Nicole spent four years working in a Residential Care Facility (RCF). She served many roles in the facility, starting as a caregiver and Med Tech and eventually working her way up to the facility coordinator position. Nicole found her passion for advocacy and grassroots organizing through internship experiences. During her final semester of graduate school, she worked as a full-time Legislative Intern for Empower Missouri, where she advocated for access to quality healthcare, adequate nutrition, and criminal justice reform. Nicole’s experience working in the RCF, combined with her advocacy skills, has made her a passionate advocate for residents in long-term care settings.

Katie Morrison, MSG, serves as a Regional Ombudsman Coordinator for North St. Louis County. Katie earned a Master of Science in Gerontology from University of Missouri- St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies from Southeast Missouri State University.  Katie discovered her passion for working with seniors when she worked in food services at a Long-Term Care Facility during high school.

Katie previously worked at a Long-Term Care Community as an Activity Coordinator and then was promoted to the Activity Director within a short period of time.  Katie also held a position at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center as a Senior Programs Coordinator in which she ran a home delivery meal program for homebound seniors and dining services/senior programming at Covenant Place.  In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, watching television/movies, attending concerts, and traveling.  

Kayla Peniston serves as a Regional Ombudsman Coordinator for Central and West St. Louis County. Kayla earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science with a minor in psychology and a Master of Social Work from Missouri Baptist University.

Kayla completed her practicum at VOYCE and has enjoyed giving a voice to residents in long-term care. Kayla previously completed a summer research internship at the Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging at the Washington University Institute for Public Health. As an intern, Kayla did research on topics related to aging and Alzheimer’s disease as well as networked with community stakeholders. Kayla has always enjoyed working with vulnerable populations and is eager to empower and advocate for residents in long-term care.  

Elizabeth (Lisa) Smith, MHA, joined VOYCE in December 2017. Lisa earned a Master of Health Administration from Saint Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Fontbonne University.

She brings her interest, compassion, and experience for those in vulnerable or underserved populations to her position at VOYCE. In her free time, Lisa enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends. 

Elizabeth Spickerman serves as VOYCE’s VOYCEconnect and Social Media Coordinator, responsible for the VOYCEconnect hotline and administrative support. Elizabeth has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nonprofit Administration from Lindenwood University.

Previously she worked as a Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for a therapy provider serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Her passion for the St. Louis community can be shown in her love for local restaurants and shops. This passion for her community is what she strives to bring to VOYCE and the population we serve.

Elizabeth (Libby) Sykes, MSW, obtained her Master of Social Work degree from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (SIUE). Prior to this degree, she earned a Bachelor’s in English Education, also from SIUE. As VOYCE’s Friendly VOYCE and Volunteer Manager, she is the main contact for the Friendly VOYCE Program and for volunteer recruitment.

Libby’s internships before her role at VOYCE include Madison County Catholic Charities, Caritas Family Solutions, and Christian Hospital. Before her MSW and work in the social work field, Libby was a financial aid advisor and a preschool teacher. Libby brings her varied work and education experience to VOYCE as she strives to better the lives of seniors in the St. Louis area.

Janice Thomas is an operational leader with more than 20 years of experience. She lives by the dictates to ”Make it better” and, in all things, “Be Kind.” Her professional experiences include key roles in public and community health, clinical operations, coaching, training, financial management, and administration. She has held professional roles in not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, large and small.

Her personal life mirrors her professional life. She is a current board member of an organization supporting reproductive health services, another fostering inclusivity in all areas of the community, and a member of the St. Louis Women’s Forum. Janice is also an active gardener and a dedicated daily walker. Recently she ended a 3-year streak of walking an average of 5 miles each day.

Janice has completed undergraduate studies in business at St. Louis University and public health studies at St. Louis University School of Public health.

As the Policy and Administrative Coordinator, Janice supports VOYCE’s policy initiative around elder and vulnerable adult abuse and the administrative functions of the VOYCE office.