SECURE AGING - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Aging Life Care Specialist

Cynthia has over 25 years as a case manager with the Florida Department of Children & Families, Adult Protective Services in Manatee County. After acquiring her bachelor of arts in political science from the University of South Florida, she continued taking additional master level courses in gerontology. She joined Secure Aging in 2005 as a case management specialist and in 2007 received her national care manager certification. In 2009 Cynthia received her geriatric care manager certification. She has also served as Manatee Aging Network president, vice president and treasurer. Cynthia remains involved in the community with memberships in the Community Resource Council, The Manatee County Caregiver Forum and Senior Advocacy Council.

Job Titles:

• Senior Care Manager / Healthcare Advocate

As a Registered Nurse with over 20 years in the industry, and joint owner of Secure Aging, Jana serves as Senior Care Manager/Healthcare Advocate with aspirations to pioneer the individual health care management and senior advocacy industry. Ever since she can remember, Jana Hameed has believed in the necessity of health advocacy and education. This passion led to her early career as a CNA at The Masonic Homes in Central Pennsylvania, where she developed a love for patient care and the aging population. Health advocacy and patient care became an integral drive toward obtaining her first baccalaureate degree in Health Science at Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. This was followed by a bachelor's degree in Nursing at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. Jana started her career as an RN in the greater New York City area at North Shore Manhasset Hospital. Upon moving to Florida in 2007, Jana has worked as a Medical-Surgical RN at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She later joined Tidewell, as a hospice nurse which ignited her passion for palliative and end of life care. For the past five years she has worked as a home health nurse, caring for patients within many assisted living facilities across the Sarasota and Venice areas. As a Registered Nurse with over 20 years in the industry, and joint owner of Secure Aging, Jana serves as Senior Care Manager/Healthcare Advocate with aspirations to pioneer the individual health care management and senior advocacy industry. Ever since she can remember, Jana Hameed has believed in the necessity of health advocacy and education. This passion led to her early career as a CNA at The Masonic Homes in Central Pennsylvania, where she developed a love for patient care and the aging population. Health advocacy and patient care... [read more]

Job Titles:

• Care Manager
• Care Manager / Care Manager

Laura joined Secure Aging in 2012 to work as a Care Manager. She brings an extensive background of administration, financial services, and organization to our office. Laura has a passion for wanting to help seniors and their families. Laura was the primary hands on caregiver and coordinator for her grandparents, in-laws, and mother and knows firsthand the challenges families face with the aging process. She has her AA degree from Broward Community College and has further studies from Indiana University. Laura has a passion for helping others and gives back by volunteering in the schools, leading church groups and in various community activities. She sits on the board of The Payton Wright Foundation that helps those who have a child with pediatric brain cancer. She is also a member of Cornerstone Professionals Chapter of BNI in Lakewood Ranch.

Job Titles:

• CEO
• Certified Public Accountant

Melissa Leedom is the CEO of Secure Aging, a Financial Care Management company focusing on senior care management and senior advocacy. As a Certified Public Accountant, Melissa began her career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Audit and Forensic Consulting. Melissa has a Masters of Business Administration degree from Drexel University. She later joined The Vanguard Group where she held various executive leadership positions during her 11-year tenure in Finance, Accounting, Strategy, and Risk and Compliance. [read more] Melissa Leedom is the CEO of Secure Aging, a Financial Care Management company focusing on senior care management and senior advocacy. As a Certified Public Accountant, Melissa began her career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Audit and Forensic Consulting. Melissa has a Masters of Business Administration degree from Drexel University. She later joined The Vanguard Group where she held various executive leadership positions during her 11-year tenure in Finance, Accounting, Strategy, and Risk and Compliance. Melissa moved to Florida in 2012 to serve as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President for a small business in the Financial tech space for payments and texting. During this time, she was responsible for Strategy, Sales, Marketing, and all aspects of Operations and consistently generated an average of 20 percent plus annual growth. In early 2019, Melissa joined the Secure Aging team and after six months of mentoring from the founder, she and several sibling owners acquired the business. Melissa is passionate about community-focused businesses and especially protecting our seniors from financial abuse and mistreatment. She serves as the Treasurer of the board for the ABA Academy of Sarasota and volunteers at the Senior Friendship Centers and Women's Resource Center.