Instructors

Kimberly Keane

curriculum development specialist | certified by department of social services | Director of Program Development at Noah Homes

  • Kim has direct responsibility for the overall program design of Noah Homes, supporting 90 residents and 130 staff members. Kim is passionate about staff education and works diligently to ensure that Care Professionals are well-trained to provide the highest quality care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is deeply committed to expanding and enhancing a dementia-capable system for Care Professionals. She has over 20 years of experience in curriculum development, design, implementation, and execution of customized training solutions for various organizations nationwide.  

    Kim has developed, tested, and trained over 1,000 care professionals across California in Dementia and Disabilities Escape™ - a highly specialized, hands-on training program for Care Professionals who work with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities diagnosed with dementia. Kim graduated from Cuyamaca College with an associate degree in Communication Studies. She holds multiple certifications, including Adult Residential Facilities Administrator, Residential Support Specialist I and II, and Direct Support Specialist I and II. She is a Certified Instructor for the National Task Group (NTG) on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Escape™. 

Danell Marks

certified dementia escape instructor | Senior Residential support manager at Noah Homes

  • Danell Marks is the Residential House Manager for Casa de Lauridsen at Noah Homes, bringing over 30 years of dedicated caregiving experience to her role. Her journey began as a teenager working as a Direct Support Professional right out of high school. In 2001, she attained her license as an administrator for Adult Residential Care Facilities (ARFs) in California.  

    Danell went on to own and operate a group home for adults with developmental disabilities, which laid a strong foundation for her expertise in compassionate care. Later, transitioning into elder care, Danell accumulated extensive experience in dementia, Alzheimer’s and hospice care. She strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves, finding fulfilment in supporting and advocating for them. 

    Danell’s key skills include love, patience, giving back, and achieving a sense of purpose by helping those with unique needs as they age. She strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves, finding fulfillment in supporting and advocating for them. She is committed to ensuring the well-being and dignity of her residents as they age.   

    As an instructor for the Dementia and Disabilities Escape course, she has been able to impart knowledge and skills she has gained over years of experience in the field to hundreds of caregivers across Southern California.

Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP-254919) | curriculum development specialist | certified by department of social services

Gerardo “Jerry” Godinez

  • Jerry is passionate about training and mentoring the staff at Noah Homes and beyond about compassionate care and dementia care. He is a certified regional trainer and has trained over 250 care providers on the 16-hour National Task Group on Developmental Disabilities and Dementia Practices Program (NTG).  

    He previously served as the Senior Residential Manager of Noah Homes’ two memory care homes, which specialized in the care of adults with developmental disabilities and an additional diagnosis of cognitive decline – a model of care unique to the state of California, and one of the few programs for this population in the nation. He managed over 40 staff members and served 20 residents. Additionally, he has served as a care provider at every level during his tenure at the organization. 

    Jerry holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Guadalajara, is licensed as an administrator in the state of California for adult residential care facilities, holds a certificate as a residential services specialist with the San Diego Regional Center, and a certificate in Disability Services Management from Grossmont College. He is also an advanced clinical dementia practitioner via the University of Michigan, is a National Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP-254919) and received his Master’s in Dementia Studies (with merit) from the University of Stirling in Scotland. 

NTG certified instructor | curriculum development specialist | certified by department of social services | Senior Residential Support Manager at Noah Homes

Tammy Levitt

  • Tamara “Tammy” Levitt began her journey with Noah Homes in 2000, starting in a direct support role and advancing to Senior Residential Support Manager. Her tenure reflects a deep commitment to the organization’s mission. A licensed administrator, Tamara oversees Casa de Fe, a Level Three home at Noah Homes, where she applies her expertise in caring for the residents and managing her staff.  
      
    With a background in Education, Tammy’s passion for teaching and training is evident. She imparts knowledge through a specialized class aimed at empowering staff in leadership positions to achieve their maximum potential in their roles. Her influence extends beyond basic training; Tamara has also mentored numerous Lead Staff, Casa Supervisors, and Residential Managers within the organization.  
      
    She has also played a pivotal role in expanding the Dementia and Disabilities Escape course, teaching hundreds of care providers across Southern California.  

Valerie Davis

certified dementia escape instructor | program coordinator at noah homes

  • Valerie is the Program Coordinator and has been working at Noah Homes since August 2020. During her time, she’s been responsible for supporting the Executive Director and Director of Program Development with their projects. She currently runs resident admissions and respites, manages all communications with interested and incoming families, leads tours, audits the homes for licensing compliance, and co-runs the Noah’s PERCH and People First programmatic committees. Her favorite part of working at Noah has been bonding with and spending time with the residents and her coworkers. 

    Valerie received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Global Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. Before Noah Homes, she was a Philanthropy Director for the Bruin Belles Service Association of UCLA and worked at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. She volunteered with the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County, where she first became interested in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

    Valerie grew up in San Clemente, California. She holds her certification as an Adult Residential Facility Administrator.

Samantha “Sam” Andico

certified people first instructor | Curriculum development specialist | program marketing manager at Noah homes

  • Sam is the Program Marketing Manager of Noah Homes and has been with the organization since 2020. Her responsibilities include managing Noah Homes’ social media platforms and e-communications, helping maintain the organization’s brand integrity, and serving as managing editor of the Noah Navigator. She enjoys spending time with the residents of Noah Homes and is passionate about disability and housing rights.  

    As a student at UC San Diego, Sam served as a Residential Advisor and Senior Orientation Leader at Eleanor Roosevelt College and was a College Ambassador for the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools. Here, she developed a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) education. She graduated from UC San Diego in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies (with honors) and a minor in Literature/Writing. Sam previously worked for the San Diego Museum of Us, where she assisted with digital projects relating to the Museum’s decolonizing initiatives. In her free time, she is a Programming volunteer for San Diego Filipino Cinema (host of the annual San Diego Filipino Film Festival).