Meet the Speakers of the 10th Annual Elder Advocacy & Law Boot Camp
Join us for the 10th annual Elder Advocacy and Law Boot Camp and hear from a distinguished lineup of speakers who are experts in elder law, elder care, advocacy, and more.
Whether you are a social worker, case manager, nursing home administrator, or simply someone who cares about the well-being of older adults, you will learn valuable information from our speakers that you can use to help your clients and possibly your own loved ones.
We are excited to welcome back some of our favorite speakers from previous years, as well as some new faces. We are confident you will gain insights and tools that will help you as a professional in elder care and beyond.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the experts and get the latest information on elder law and advocacy. Get ready to learn.
2024 Presenters: Gain Insights from the Pros
Mireille Phillips
Mireille Phillips currently serves as Legal Counsel to the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. She earned her BA in Economics from the University of Michigan and her JD from Indiana University School of Law. She brings over 25 years of legal experience to the Ombudsman Program. She previously worked as an attorney with the CVLAP-Elder Justice Initiative where she represented seniors who had suffered abuse, neglect or exploitation in Macomb County. She has also served as a Legal Research and Writing Professor at Wayne State University, as well as engaged in private practice focusing on commercial litigation, elder and family law. She is passionate about advocating for older adults, victims of domestic abuse and individuals living with a disability.
Salli Pung
Since 2016, Salli has served as the Michigan State Long Term Care Ombudsman. Ms. Pung brings over 25 years of long term care experience to this role. For 13 years, she served as the Nursing Facility Relocation Coordinator at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services where she oversaw nursing home closures and ensured that residents were protected and empowered in the relocation process. Ms. Pung previously served as the Program Manager for MI Health Link, Michigan's financial alignment demonstration for people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, Senior Program Manager at the Center for Long Term Care at the Michigan Public Health Institute, and Director of Education and Shared Services at the Michigan Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (now LeadingAge). Ms. Pung began her career in long term care when she served as a direct care worker in a nursing home during college.
Attorney Bob Mannor, CELA, CDP, CADDCT
Attorney Bob Mannor is a nationally respected Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Veteran Benefits Planning Attorney. He is one of only nineteen attorneys in the state of Michigan to be nationally Board Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. Bob is an Accredited Attorney through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel. As of 2021, he is a Certified Dementia Practitioner through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.
Bob is Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Elder and Disability Rights Section. An active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Bob served as the Past President of the Michigan chapter. Bob is a frequent speaker and author on senior legal issues, providing Continuing Education Credits to lawyers, social workers, nursing home administrators, doctors and nurses.
Bob is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Business Administration and Economics and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law. Bob is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Genesee County Bar Association and is admitted to the U.S. District Federal Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Kelli King-Penner, Attorney
Attorney Kelli King-Penner oversees Mannor Law Group legal planning and operations. She brings vast estate planning, probate and trust administration experience to Mannor Law Group. Kelli is an Accredited Attorney through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel, currently serves on the Board of the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Kelli is an active member of the Michigan State Bar Elder Law and Disability Rights Section as well as the Probate and Estate Planning Section and Real Property Section. Kelli has presented on various estate planning and probate topics, including a presentation through the Institute of Continuing Education.
Kelli is a graduate of Central Michigan University and obtained her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law, where she served as a member of the nationally recognized MSU Law Appellate Moot Court team. Kelli is a Livingston County native and currently lives with her husband, Jason, and their son, Benjamin, in Fenton.
Melissa Dixon, Attorney
Attorney Melissa Dixon oversees much of our Probate and Trust Administration. She is a graduate of Cleary University with a degree in Business Administration & Human Resource Management and earned her law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. She is also accredited by the Veteran’s Administration to assist veterans with claims and appeals. She knew she wanted to practice Estate Planning and advocate for the elderly after participating in the Sixty Plus, Inc. Elder Law Clinic while in law school. Prior to joining Mannor Law Group, Melissa worked as the Office Manager and Financial Controller for a local manufacturing shop. She lives in Fenton with her husband, Eric, and their two children Nellie and Joseph.
Amy Persails, Attorney, Planning Services Director
Amy oversees our Planning Services Department which encompasses government benefits and life care planning. She is responsible for managing the application processes and ensuring we are preserving as much of our client’s assets as possible. Amy’s considerable experience in problem solving and financial products is a tremendous asset to our clients.
Amy is a Certified Dementia Practitioner who has completed a comprehensive Alzheimer’s and Dementia training program. She is personally committed to promoting best practices in the field of Alzheimer’s and Dementia care.
Amy has received her Certificate in Elder Care Coordination through Stockton University.
Amy enjoys spending time with her family and friends and camping.
Savannah Meksto, CDP Executive Director
Savannah is a diverse professional with experience in business development, social services, team leadership, marketing, and training facilitation. Prior to joining Mannor Law Group, Savannah worked as a credit repair business consultant and marketing director for a software company based out of Tampa, FL where she also became a Certified Agile Marketing Specialist and Project Manager.
Previously, Savannah worked as a case manager and volunteer services coordinator for the MDHHS PATH program, formerly known as JET (Jobs, Education, & Training.) She assisted Genesee & Shiawassee County families seeking cash assistance through the Family Independence Program (FIP) with the removal of serious barriers to employment. She also monitored all local non-profit sites that leveraged PATH Program volunteers, ensuring safety and satisfaction of both the agency and participants.
Additionally, she co-founded and operated a non-profit art program in Grand Blanc, MI that received funding from the Ruth Mott Foundation, Greater Grand Blanc Arts Council, and United Way Foundation. Her community-driven focus is now directed at helping aging Michigan families and local veterans as Executive Director and Certified Dementia Practitioner at Mannor Law Group.
Danielle Chwalibog, MSW, Elder Care Coordinator
Danielle Chwalibog is our Elder Care Coordinator who will assist you and your loved one during the life care planning process, identifying, and addressing current care needs, coordinating necessary care options to maximize the quality of life, and accessing ways to pay for that care to provide you with peace of mind. Danielle advocates for your loved one to ensure they are getting the best care possible and helps you navigate the Elder Care Continuum.
Danielle is a 2015 graduate of Wayne State University of Social Work, where she graduated with a Master of Social Work. She earned her BA in Social Work from Siena Heights University.
Danielle has over seven years of experience as a medical social worker. Prior to joining Mannor Law Group, she worked in hospital and nursing home settings. Her professional interests are in the areas of Geriatrics and Medical Social Work. Her passion for elder care started when her grandmother needed placement in a facility.
In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family and friends doing many outdoor activities.
Nikki Inches, LLMSW, CDP
Nikki Inches is our Elder Care Coordinator who will assist you and your loved one during the life care planning process. Nikkie helps families by identifying and addressing current care needs, coordinating necessary care options to maximize the quality of life, and accessing ways to pay for that care that provides you with peace of mind. Nikki advocates for your loved one to ensure they are getting the best care possible and helps you navigate the Elder Care Continuum.
Nikki is a 2022 graduate of Michigan State University, where she graduated with a Master of Social Work. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Michigan - Flint.
Nikki has over 3 years of experience as a medical social worker. Prior to joining Mannor Law Group, she worked in nursing home and hospice settings. Her professional interests are in the areas of Geriatrics and Medical Social Work.