Janna Lancaster
Principal Investigator, Asst. Professor & Director of Graduate Studies, Dept. of Architectural Studies
Dr. Janna Lancaster is an assistant professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Architectural Studies at the University of Missouri, where she also serves as Principal Investigator for the Great Plains ADA Center. Her research focuses on creating more sustainable, healthy, and accessible environments. Janna holds a BA in Environmental Science from Barnard College of Columbia University, an MES from the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD in Human Environmental Sciences from the University of Missouri. Her past research includes GIS-based investigations of drinking water contamination linked to Superfund sites, analyses of student-driven urban gentrification. She is currently working on a collaborative study, funded by the Great Plains ADA, of healthcare facility accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Before entering academia, Janna worked as pollution insurance underwriter at AIG and as a sustainability specialist at Current Energy, roles that reflect her ongoing commitment to solving real-world problems through interdisciplinary approaches. She is continually inspired by the opportunity to collaborate with her colleagues and is energized by the curiosity, creativity, and passion her students bring to building a more sustainable and accessible world.
Julie Brinkhoff
Project Director
Julie Brinkhoff has worked with the Great Plains ADA Center in various roles for over 20 years. She is currently serving as Director, overseeing the Center’s core service activities: training, technical assistance, information dissemination, and capacity building. Julie is knowledgable in all areas of the ADA. Her primary areas of interest are information dissemination strategies, and content and product development that is user friendly, accessible, and targeted to consumer needs.
Mike Edwards
Assistant Project Director
Mike has been with the Great Plains ADA Center since 2001. He directs the ADA Coordinator Certification Training Program (ACTCP), the National ADA Symposium, and the ADA Coordinator Conferences. Mike has extensive experience in coordinating both on-site and virtual conferences on the Americans with Disabilities Act. He has provided numerous trainings on all areas of the ADA as well as technical assistance and consultation to individuals, businesses, and communities.
Ryan Smith
Senior Program Coordinator
Ryan Smith graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in education in 2001, spent the next 11 years teaching history and math and coaching basketball and baseball at rural high schools in Missouri. In 2014 he completed a second bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Columbia College, was accepted into the PhD program at the University of Missouri where he received a Master’s degree in philosophy in 2018. He spent one more year in public education before joining his wife in her small business creating 3D/VR tours. He joined the Great Plains ADA Center in December of 2021, following the same interest in ensuring equal access to educational, financial and employment opportunities for everyone that drove his interest in education.
Lisa Tucker
Event Manager
Lisa is a 1985 graduate of Southeastern Academy in Kissimmee, FL. She joined the Great Plains ADA Center in 1995. As the Events Manager, Lisa is responsible for the myriad of details and contracts associated with trainings and conferences; including registration, billing, material collection and sharing, airfare and travel accommodations, and evaluation and surveys. She serves as the liaison between the Center and all conference venues as well as all training and conference attendees. Lisa also manages the Center’s electronic communication system, list-serves, and numerous other duties. Although a native Missourian, Lisa works remotely from New York State.
Voronica Bonoparte
Senior Business Specialist
Voronica received her Business Administration degree from Columbia College. She has had a 33-year-long career with the University of Missouri and joined the GP ADA Center in November 2023. Her main duties consist of business and fiscal management, including budget development, financial transactions and reconciliation, procurement, PCI compliance and consulting agreements. She also assists in the planning and implementation of the National ADA Symposim, ADA Coordinator, and regional conferences. She collaborates closely with the Director in grant management and preparation of project reports. Voronica also works closely with the Portfolio Manager and the University of Missouri to ensure compliance with university policies and procedures.
Espoir Mabengo
Outreach Coordinator
Espoir coordinates and implements outreach activities across the Great Plains Region. He assists in developing and implementing ADA Coordinator Training Conferences and other regional trainings. He also provides techncial assistance to TA information callers. Espoir received his Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Molly Wuebker
Iowa Liaison
Molly has worked as a consultant with the Great Plains ADA Center since 2023, serving as the Iowa Liaison and providing ADA training, technical assistance, and support to state and local governments, businesses, and community organizations. She holds the ADA Coordinator Certification (ACTCP) and earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University in 2010. Before joining the Center, Molly spent six years teaching in higher education, focusing on accessibility and universal design. Her work emphasizes practical, human-centered approaches to creating accessible environments, programs, and digital content across Iowa. She has a strong passion for accessible recreation and contributes to the annual Find Your Fun event at the National ADA Symposium. Molly also presents widely on ADA and accessibility topics at regional and national conferences, including the National ADA Symposium.
Jana Burke
Social Media Coordinator/Title I Consultant
Jana Burke, PhD, ADAC is a small business owner, trainer, consultant, and researcher who specializes in the ADA employment provisions and workplace strategies for ADA compliance. She has been part of the ADA National Network since 2002, conducting training, providing technical assistance, managing programs at the regional and national levels, and developing publications and materials. She presents annually at the National ADA Symposium and is a speaker/trainer for the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program. She formally joined the Great Plains ADA Center team in 2021 as an ADA consultant and manages the Center’s social media. Dr. Burke also has a lifelong exposure to residential and commercial construction. Since 2015, she has supported her family’s commercial construction company, Brazos Builders, Inc. as a project manager, accessibility consultant, safety officer, and HR compliance consultant. Her work includes construction estimating, budgeting, plan review, safety management, contract management, proposal preparation, vendor management, and materials procurement. Dr. Burke received a Doctor of Philosophy in Organization & Management from Capella University, a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University, and is a graduate of The Colorado College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Women’s Studies.
MacKenzie Brandow
ADACC Program Advisor/Support
MacKenzie has worked for the Great Plains ADA Center since February 2022. She works primarily on ACTCP activities and projects, handling day-to-day operations in the ACTCP such as monitoring exams, approving credits, and is the lead correspondent assisting and guiding ACTCP participants through the program. She graduated with her bachelor’s in English literature with minors in Sociology and Psychology in 2025 from Columbia College. She is currently gaining her Masters in English and Creative Writing online.
Kristen Newman
Liaison, CIL Services
Kristen joins the Great Plains ADA Center as the Coordinator of CIL Services, bringing a background deeply rooted in the Independent Living Movement and its Philosophy. Her commitment to disability rights began in 2008 after acquiring a disability, an experience that continues to shape her path. What started as a simple inquiry into service animal access in museum work quickly evolved into years of dedicated research, education, and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. Through extensive lived and professional experience, Kristen previously served as an Independent Living Specialist at a Center for Independent Living where she later moved into the role of ADA Accessibility Specialist. In these roles, she supported 14 Montana counties, partnered with consumers, private businesses, local governments, and community stakeholders to implement the ADA and advance meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities across Montana communities. She is passionate about supporting rural communities where ADA implementation can be most challenging. In addition to her work with GPADAC, Kristen is a Certified ADA Coordinator and the owner of an accessibility consulting business.
Lydia Olmsted
Digital Accessibility Consultant
Lydia is a consultant with Great Plains ADA Center, specializing in adaptive recreation and digital accessibility. Her experience as a DeafBlind individual allows me to make accessibility recommendations that take into account individuals with multiple sensory disabilities. She also provides technical assistance regarding ADA questions, primarily relating to effective communication and service animals. In July 2024, she received her ADA Coordinator certification through the ADACC program, formally known as ACTCP. I Lydia is passionate about promoting accessibility and inclusion for all, and educating people about their rights and responsibilities under the ADA.
Research Team
