LaKinzie serves as an Administrative Assistant here at Southwest Iowa Families. Originally from Kentucky, she moved to Clarinda in December 2023 with her husband, Cagen, and their cat, Rosie. She is currently a senior at Maryville University, majoring in Forensic Psychology & Criminal Justice.

Before moving to Iowa, LaKinzie gained experience working in women’s sober living homes, where she worked closely with individuals navigating recovery and major life transitions. Being trusted to walk alongside women during such vulnerable and transformative times gave LaKinzie a perspective she has carried with her ever since. She witnessed not only the challenges that come with recovery, but also the strength, resilience, and courage it takes to begin rebuilding a life, as well as the importance of meeting people where they are. Those experiences deepened her passion for mental health, advocacy, and the criminal justice field and helped shape her goal of pursuing a career where she can make a difference in the lives of individuals and families.

LaKinzie is also becoming involved in her “new” community through TeamMates Mentoring and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), giving her additional opportunities to support children and young people. She looks forward to continuing to learn, grow, and become more involved in the community through these experiences and her role at Southwest Iowa Families.

Outside of work and school, LaKinzie loves traveling, trips to the beach, fishing with her husband, and any chance she gets to head back home to Kentucky and spend time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews.