Penny Kakoliris              

Executive Director

Penny Kakoliris has a heart for others, as evidenced by her life’s work. As a foster parent for five years, she raised 29 girls during that time. She served as the director of the Girls Campus for King’s Home for five years and worked for the Children’s Policy Council for Shelby County. Penny was also the Executive Vice President of Southern Oaks Treatment Facility before coming to Positive Maturity in 2007. Although she had mainly worked with youth, Penny knew that she would love assisting and working with a variety of people, especially seniors. “I enjoy watching a participant in a program make progress and find their sense of independence, as well as a team member growing professionally and finding their passion for this group of individuals,” Penny explains. “I get excited watching our Board of Directors plan for our future and really understanding who we are and what we do.”

Kimberly Jones              

Director, Foster Grandparents Program

Kim moved to Birmingham from Mobile, Ala., in 1995 to attend UAB, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work. With more than 20 years of social service experience, Kim has worked with a diverse population of all ages at State of Alabama/Child Welfare, Alabama Mentor, and Safehouse of Shelby County. Since joining Positive Maturity, Kim has been embraced by a wonderful group of co-workers and volunteers. “It has been an amazing experience getting to know the volunteers in our Foster Grandparent Program, observing them within the educational programs we partner with in Jefferson County, and witnessing the dedication they have for the children we serve,” Kim says. She looks forward to building partnerships within the communities Positive Maturity serves, and assisting our FGP volunteers and stations to enhance the educational and social needs of the children served in Jefferson County.

Juanita Macon              

Director, Shepherd Center

Juanita Macon always had a heart for young people and enjoyed the jobs she had where she could touch their lives in some way. When her grant at the Girls Scouts ended, Juanita found herself without a job and mourning the loss of her mother. Once she joined Positive Maturity as the RSVP Coordinator, she found she had a bunch of women ready to mother her. “I saw people in their 80s and 90s volunteering who had more energy than me,” she says. “It is so rewarding to work with them. I am learning from their experiences and we are growing together and enjoying life one day at a time.”

LaQuita Smith                

Director of Senior Companion Program

LaQuita is a native of Birmingham, Ala., and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. It was during her internship at Positive Maturity where she developed her commitment to helping seniors age in place. LaQuita places seniors aged 55 and older in the homes of frail seniors and disabled persons to assist with light household chores, meal preparation, companionship and respite care for caregivers. “It’s a wonderful way to engage, enhance and empower the quality of life to those in need,” she explains. When she isn’t working, she loves to spend time relaxing at home, reading and visiting any place that has a seashore.  LaQuita resides in Montevallo, Ala., and is the mother of four adult sons and six grandchildren.  

Heather Lamey      

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Director

Heather Lamey knew before she went to Jacksonville State University that she wanted to work in a field where she could help people, so social work was a natural fit or her. More than 20 years later, her experience includes stints as the executive director at The Benevolence Center in Piedmont, Ala., and at the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama where she served as director of Donor Grants and Standards for Excellence. As the RSVP Director at Positive Maturity, Heather facilitates nonprofits and charitable organizations that need volunteers. “We are located in four counties—Walker, Jefferson, Shelby and Blount,” she explains. “We are here to make a connection between volunteers with organizations that will be rewarding for everyone.”  

Heather is one of six licensed consultants in the state of Alabama for Standards for Excellence® accreditation, best practices in policies and procedures for nonprofits and has earned a master’s level accreditation as a Charter Advisor in Philanthropy®. Heather and her husband Harley spend much of their free time enjoying their son Jack’s athletic events. 

Selina Huff      

Director, Information and Referral Geriatric Social Services

Selina is a native of Mobile, Ala., and completed undergraduate studies at Alabama State University and graduate studies at the University of South Alabama. After 26 years with the state of Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Selina retired in September 2023 and moved to Pell City with her adult daughter, Jailyn. Although she wore many hats during her tenure, Selina spent the last seven years of working with Adult Protective Services and served on the Senior Companion Program Advisory Council in Mobile. As the Information and Referral Director for Positive Maturity, Selina assists seniors aged 50 and older to navigate social agencies to meet their needs in Jefferson, Blount, Shelby and Walker counties. “I’m looking forward to helping seniors and their caretakers learn how to advocate for themselves,” Selina says. “I have a special place in my heart for seniors and caretakers dealing with dementia. I know how difficult that can be from firsthand experience.” In her spare time, Selina enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Dorinda Canibano      

RSVP Coordinator, Jefferson County

Birmingham, Ala., native, Dorinda Canibano has spent the majority of her working career in the accounting field, but aging seniors have always held a special place in her heart. “I have always been fascinated by the wisdom and stories from our seniors,” she says. “There is so much to learn from them.”

Organizations like Positive Maturity gives seniors the opportunity to remain active even after retirement from the workforce. “I think that is truly wonderful and I can’t wait until I reach the age where I can be a part of this wonderful group of volunteers,” Dorinda explains.
Dorinda is married to her husband of 10 years, Mike, and has one daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities, traveling and crafting. 

Gloria Susanne Gilmer      

RSVP Coordinator, Blount County

Gloria Susanne Gilmer has lived in Shelby County, Ala., for nearly 30 years. “This is a wonderful area to raise a family, to explore nature and enjoy the beauty of Appalachia,” she says. The significant growth of Shelby County has attracted people from all around the country and the world. Gloria cherishes the friendships she has built while contributing to the community. Educated in music and the liberal arts, Gloria has served as a pianist and educator, coordinating local music presentations and performing with the Alabama Ballet Company. As a volunteer, she contributed countless hours to promote the arts. When the Czech Republic opened in 1992, Gloria immediately brought talented musicians to the United States and SMU Meadows School of the Arts. In addition, she has presented a lecture demonstration to the Alabama Music Teacher’s Association on teaching piano to the visually impaired. Her work as piano accompanist with professional choreographers at Lakeshore Foundation and UAB resulted in a new exercise program for people with disabilities. Most recently, Gloria has volunteered to coordinate presentations and to perform piano music for Alabaster Senior Activity Center.

Rachel Halliwill      

RSVP Coordinator, Shelby County

Following the April 27, 2011, tornado event that devastated much of Alabama, Rachel discovered her true passion. Working with Project Rebound, Rachel found that true joy comes in the form of helping others and linking those in need with the organizations who could meet those needs. Over the years, Rachel has sought opportunities to volunteer and encouraged others to do the same. She has sought and held positions which allowed her to serve individuals in various capacities, but never quite felt that she was making a difference in the community. “My role at Positive Maturity allows me to connect individuals in the community with opportunities so they can play an active role in supporting and strengthening their community through volunteering,” she says. “I couldn’t be more excited!”

Zan Brock    

RSVP Coordinator, Walker County

Zan Brock has had a heart for helping others since she was a child, which is appropriate since her Greek name means “helper of mankind.” As a Licensed Social Worker, Zan has worn many hats. During her career, she worked with foster care, the Free Will Baptist Children’s Home in Eldridge, as a therapist in the behavioral medicine unit of a local hospital, in the maternity clinic of a health department, as director of Social Services in a nursing home, as a case manager in a homeless shelter for women and as a care manager with an insurance company.

In 2017, Zan retired from VIVA Health where she served as a Social Worker care manager. Since retiring, Zan has volunteered for the J.A.M.E.S. (Jasper Area Ministerial Emergency Services) Ministry, Operation Thanksgiving, Operation Christmas Child and Backyard Blessings. She also coordinated a Christmas basket ministry for shut-ins and served on the Missions and Everyday Needs committees at her church. In her spare time, Zan enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, quilting, cooking and spending time with her friends and her cat.

Michele Blackmon    

Chief Financial Officer / Finance Director

Michele Blackmon fell in love with the non-profit world after leaving corporate accounting when her daughter was born. A part-time position with a United Way partner agency gave her the time she wanted to spend with her newborn daughter and introduced her to the rewarding work of non-profits. Flash forward 25 years and she has spent most of her career working for organizations like Aletheia House and the YWCA Central Alabama serving in positions related to grants management, budgeting, compliance, financial reporting, and cash management. Michele joined Positive Maturity in August 2018 and loves how her role as finance director still allows her to help people from behind the scenes. “Even though I’m not working directly with the seniors, I am still able to contribute to the programs and to the community,” she says. “I love being a part of the Positive Maturity team and ensuring that they will have the financial means to continue to serve seniors in the years to come.”