ABOUT US
We're in the people business and we want to help the people in our community.
We believe it's the relationship that heals. Because of this guiding principle, we make it our priority to focus on a meaningful, personal relationship. Here's a little bit more about us!
Clinical Staff
Dr. Jon Thompson
Executive Director
I've worked in the mental health field since 2002. For 3 years I worked in a psychiatric hospital. I spent 8 years as a school counselor, and I've been the director of PP since 2013. I'm an LPC in MO, a licensed K-12 Professional School Counselor in MO, and a Nationally Certified Counselor. I have a Bachelors in Biblical Counseling, a Masters in Educational Psychology, and a Doctorate in Counseling with a specialization in grief and trauma. I've been in school most of my life and I want to share with you what I've learned.
That's my professional experience and education. Here's the important stuff:
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I'm a huge foodie and I love eating out with friends!
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I'm a competitive long-range precision shooter.
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I love watching soccer (especially FC Barcelona).
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I've traveled all over the world: Netherlands, Spain, England, France, Ecuador and Venezuela.
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I'm terrified of sharks.
Jamie Cooke
LPC-S
I became a member of the Peace Partnership team in 2024. I’ve always known I wanted to work directly with people which drove my decision to obtain a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Oklahoma State University. I went on to earn my M.A. in Counseling from UMKC and have since obtained full licensure as a Missouri LPC. I have spent three years in high-level outpatient care, utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy to work with individuals managing Borderline Personality Disorder in addition to running intensive outpatient groups to help bring stability to clients' lives. My passion is working with clients through accumulated hurt, trauma, and ineffective thoughts and behaviors to establish effective daily functioning in order to enhance life satisfaction.
Fun or not, here are some extra things about me:
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I will always choose lifting over running.
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John Wick is my favorite movie series.
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I like to do sudoku puzzles before bed.
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I definitely saw a shark while SCUBA diving. Super cool!
Ryan Lefler
LPC
Regina Schweizer
LPC
I initially joined the Peace Partnership team in 2020 during my counseling internship. After earning my Masters in Counseling in 2021, I officially became a part of the Peace Partnership team. Prior to that, I earned my Bachelors in Counseling and have had the opportunity to help people through a resource pregnancy center, college campus trauma recovery groups, and youth work in the United States and in Portugal. I have been married to a wonderful guy since 2016 and have two really amazing kids. I look forward to meeting you!
Fun facts about me:
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I love traveling and exploring new places.
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Naps are a hobby for me.
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I enjoy listening to audiobooks.
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I was born and raised in Portugal.
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I went scuba diving once, thought I saw a shark, jumped back in the boat and I will never do it again.
I first joined Peace Partnership for the entirety of 2022 as I completed my counseling Internship. Once completing my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University I was given the great opportunity to join their amazing team. Prior to finding my calling of becoming a professional counselor I attended the University of Kansas where I achieved a B.A. in Political Science and Government. I am home grown in the Kansas City area where I met, and have been happily married to, my wonderful wife of 4 years.
Fun things about me:
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Yearly attendant of the Renaissance Faire and Comicon.
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Half of my family is from Argentina.
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I hate anything raspberry flavored.
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Weekly donor to Chipotle.
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My wife's biggest fear is sharks.
Kevin Cohan
PLPC
Maddie Clark
Intern Counselor
I joined Peace Partnership in 2024. My journey began when I worked at a residential treatment program a number of years ago. It was there that I helped teenage girls work through their past trauma and learn how to navigate relationships in a healthy way. Just a few years ago, I felt the calling to continue to pursue my passion to help others and achieved my Masters in Biblical Counseling at Calvary University. I believe that one's mind, body, emotions and spirit are all connected; therefore all should receive some positive attention. My undergrad work was in philosophy and religion at College of the Ozarks. That is where I met my beautiful wife, Jaime. We have been married for 16 years and have four amazing children together. We just had our fourth, Jane, a year ago (We got our first girl..woo hoo!). I love helping at-risk youth feel heard and understood. As well as married couples be able to work together toward a common goal. Can't wait to meet you.
Some fun facts about me:
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I have an identical twin brother (I'm five minutes older..lol).
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I have never broken a bone.
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I eat my pizza with no cheese.
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I love all superhero movies!
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As far as sharks go- Jaws ruined me for life.
I joined Peace Partnership in 2024. As a Kansas City native, I am deeply committed to the well-being of our community and passionate about helping individuals pursue healthy, fulfilling lives. I bring experience working with children, teens, and women across a range of settings and am dedicated to fostering environments of growth and support. I hold undergraduate degrees in Biblical Theology and Counseling and am currently finishing a Master’s in Counseling at Calvary University.
Fun Facts:
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I love quality coffee.
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I hate PB & J.
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In my free time I enjoy studying theology.
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My favorite kind of sharks are the little blue shark gummies.
Administrative Staff
Naomi Thompson
Practice Manager
As the founder’s wife, I’ve been involved in Peace Partnership since the very beginning in 2013. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats—consultant, Office Coordinator, Director of Development, and Practice Manager—but the role I treasure most is welcoming new clients, helping them find the counselor who’s the best fit, and cheering on our amazing team so they can do what they do best.
This work is deeply personal to me—not only because we’ve poured so much into it, but because I’ve walked through my own seasons of hardship and know how powerful real change can be. It takes incredible courage to reach out and say, “I’m ready for help,” and it’s an honor to walk alongside people as they take that brave first step. Watching lives grow and transform through counseling is a gift I don’t take for granted. I’m also deeply grateful for our generous donors and community partners who make this work possible—we truly couldn’t do it without them.
More fun facts:
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I can't live without music!
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I'm a big-time foodie and I love eating at new restaurants.
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I love baking and make a mean molten lava cake.
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I enjoy watching and playing volleyball.
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I love taking walks with Jon.
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I think sharks are pretty... in pictures.
Rachel Shinkle
Office Coordinator
Ashley Kirn
Director of Development
With over two decades of experience in real estate, business development, and event planning, I stepped into the role of Director of Development to help lead Peace Partnership into its next chapter of growth. After years of supporting community efforts through both nonprofit and business ventures, I found a deep calling in cultivating relationships that fuel life-changing impact.
My heart beats for connection—whether I’m planning a fundraiser, building donor partnerships, or sitting down for coffee with someone who wants to make a difference. I’m incredibly passionate about growing the mission of Peace Partnership and making sure every supporter knows just how vital they are to the work we do.
I'm a firm believer that faith and community are the foundation of real change; bringing energy, heart, and a healthy dose of humor to everything I do. Want to connect? I’d love to meet you over coffee or lunch—and chances are, I've already got it penciled into my planner (and noted on a sticky, just in case).
Fun Facts:
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I own more planners, notebooks, and sticky notes than I care to admit… and yes, they all have a divine purpose.
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I'm a proud mom of three, and our tight-knit, faith-driven crew lives for road trips, world travels, lake days, and RZR rides, always chasing new adventures together.
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I'm joyfully “extra” and go all-in on details, themes, and anything I can personalize—usually while juggling five other things.
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My husband is my rock and adventure partner, we’re building a life anchored in faith, love, and a little bit of wild.
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I once swam with nurse sharks in Belize, after praying through the panic, I loved every second.
I joined Peace Partnership in 2025 as an Office Coordinator where I get to focus on numbers and, most excitedly, talk about God to others more openly. My background has a lot of focus on training, delivering the utmost service, and retaining relationships. I am a lifelong resident of Independence, Missouri, and my husband, Jordan, and I attend Living Faith in Lee’s Summit. A verse that has stuck with me in my walk is 2 Corinthians 1:4 as at first it brought me a lot of comfort, but then even more so when I returned to the passage later in life.
Fun facts:
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I am a board and card game enthusiast, I have a bag of games I keep in my car for emergencies.
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My car is my karaoke venue.
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I love photography, I take a lot of photos of nature when I can.
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Coffeeshops and the Farmer's Market are my favorite Saturday stops.
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We have a coonhound puppy named Jeff the Land Shark after a Marvel game character. Nicknamed Jeff for short.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rick Britton
President
Cathy McGaughey
Treasurer
Mandi Pollard
Jason Schram
