Meet the Team
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Sarah, our Executive Director at SIL, is a dedicated nonprofit professional and a student of life. After dropping out of college at 19 years old and returning at 25, Sarah went on to earn two master's degrees and continues to seek out any piece of paper on which her name can be emblazoned. She began her career in historic preservation, but found her way to positive youth development, where her heart lies.
Outside of work, Sarah volunteers as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters and sits on the board of directors for local civic organizations. She is a lover of live music experiences, mountains, and "carpe-ing the diem." She can be reached at sarah@socialinnovationlab.org
Sarah Simister
Executive Director
Growing up in rural Kansas and becoming a mom at 17 years old, Madison developed a passion for fostering brighter futures and healthier families. She earned her master's in psychology from Emporia State University and is currently working as a school psychologist to serve and support youth directly.
In addition to her role as a school psychologist, Madison has decided to put her passion, knowledge, and efforts towards creating positive youth development programs with SIL through her role of Associate Project Director. She can be reached at madison@socialinnovationlab.org
Madison Densberger
Assistant Project Director
Lillian is our vibrant and passionate Director of Food Insecurity at SIL. Her desire to make a positive impact stems from her own personal journey, which fuels her determination to help others thrive. She is committed to exploring innovative solutions and collaborating with like-minded individuals and organizations to build a world where everyone has access to nutritious food and the opportunity to thrive.
Outside of her role, Lillian channels her passion for helping others through her creative lens, capturing the beauty of children and their families through photography. If you are seeking guidance, inspiration, or collaboration in addressing food insecurity, reach out to her at lillian.socialinnovationlab.org
Lillian Mohling
Food Insecurity Advocacy Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA
LaWanda DeShazer
Community Engagement Specialist
LaWanda is our driven community engagement specialist who dedicates her time and wide range of skills to serving Kansans through empowerment, advocacy, and education. LaWanda's passion for bringing people together shows in her various roles across the community, targeting issues such as houselessness, education, food insecurity, financial literacy, and political advocacy.
LaWanda holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Resource Management and a Master of Business Administration
(MBA).
Outside of her role at SIL, LaWanda is spending time with family and volunteering at her church. You can reach her at lawanda@socialinnovationlab.org
Deja is our passionate outreach coordinator and advocate for youth development. Through dedicated mentorship, she empowers young individuals to cultivate positive character traits and build strong foundations for their futures while providing an empathetic and positive presence.
With a deep commitment to fostering growth, Deja inspires others by leading with both heart and purpose, always championing the power of a positive mindset. You can reach her at deja@socialinnovationlab.org
Deja Maestas
Outreach Coordinator
Amanda Hollenbeck is a committed Document Control Specialist at Social Innovation Lab, with expertise in fostering organizational efficiency and precision. With a solid background in document management, she is dedicated to ensuring that all critical documents are meticulously organized and compliant with industry standards. Her keen attention to detail and collaborative approach make her an invaluable member of the team. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys crafting, reading, and all things nature. To reach Amanda, feel free to email her at amanda@ocialinnovationlab.org