Our Staff

Aging Life Care Management Staff

Pamela (Bednar) Braun, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM, LF

Pamela is a Masters-level social worker, licensed clinical social worker and Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager for independent practice in Arizona. She is also a Certified Licensed Fiduciary through the Arizona Supreme Court. She is the founder and owner of Geriatric Assessment, Management & Solutions, LLC since 2000. Pam is originally from Wisconsin but grew up in the Kansas City area. She received a bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in gerontology from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kansas in 1990. Her work experience has been primarily in health and mental healthcare. She has worked in the hospital setting since 1986 including the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota with neurology and neurosurgical patients.

Since moving to Arizona in 1994, she worked in a geriatric mental health/medical unit at Del Webb Hospital in Sun City West for 6 years. Her areas of interest have been with individuals with dementia and their families specifically with behavior issues. She has done extensive volunteer work with the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter. She is active with the Western Regional Chapter of the National Association of Professional Care Managers and has served on the Board, committee positions and co-chaired the Annual Conference in Scottsdale in October 2013. Pam is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and American Case Management Association.

Carrie Lane, MAP

Aging Life Care Supervisor

Carrie earned her Master of Psychology degree in 2005 from Seattle University’s exclusive Existential Phenomenological Psychology program, where she found her specialty working with seniors at Seattle Mental Health. After counseling individuals, couples and facilitating groups, she realized this was her calling.

Carrie has an extensive interest in dogs and animals and had her own business working with aquatic therapy. After taking a break from the field of geriatrics and moving to Arizona in 2020,

Carrie found her way back to the field as a care manager at GAMS. She has a positive approach to working with people and recognizes their unique strengths and “not the sum of a diagnosis.” Carrie believes that “striving to see the world through the eyes of the human being is where true compassion resides.” We are excited to have her enthusiasm and dedication as a member of our care team.

Adrianne Benally, BSN

Aging Life Care Manager

Adrianne has enjoyed caring for older adults in the community since 2018. In 2019, she earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing from Arizona State University. While she has years of experience working in different areas of health care, she has found a passion working with the older adult. She enjoys developing meaningful relationships with Clients and their families while also acting as a resource for a greater quality of life.

Her strengths include active listening, great patience, knowledge of health ailments and advanced therapy solutions.

Adrianne enjoys hiking outdoors with loved ones, listening to podcasts and taking long walks with her two small dogs.

Guress McConnell, BSW, MHR

Aging Life Care Manager

Guress McConnell obtained her undergraduate degree in Social Work with a minor in Counseling at East Central University, Oklahoma. She completed her graduate degree at the University of Oklahoma with a Master’s in Human Relations Counseling, with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has worked with families, teenagers, children and senior adults in crisis as a behavioral health therapist. She has been an advocate for the community of mental health through one-on-one counseling, in schools, community mental health centers, nursing homes and churches.

Her passion has always been leading support groups through various volunteer entities. Although she has cherished all her undertakings in the professional world, the greatest investment has been as a daughter and mother. She feels blessed to have been involved in caring for her aging parents. Her mother had Alzheimer and her father struggled with clinical depression and PTSD as he proudly served a lifetime of service in the military. Her favorite past time is caring for her two dogs and socializing with friends & family.

Lori Draper

Administrative Assistant

Lori has worked most all of her working career in an administrative assistant role. Originally from California, Lori recently moved to Arizona with her significant other and their beloved dog Jenny, to help with the care of her elderly parents. In doing this Lori realized the importance of being “hands on” with the care of her parents.

Lori is an animal lover who also enjoys reading, cooking, gardening and most recently crochet.

Jewlz Lane

Administrative Assistant/Support Services/Aging Life Care Assistant.

Jewlz previously enjoyed a career in Customer Service, Personnel Management, and Purchasing for over two decades at an event supply/planning business.

Jewlz and her beloved French Mastiff, Honey, made the move to Arizona Fall of 2023 to reunite with her family members. She has loved the Sonoran Desert since her first visit in 1996, and is looking forward to experiencing all of its flora and fauna.

Jewlz has a special place in her heart for the senior population. She believes our elder population should be revered and protected. She is excited to join the GAMS team where she can be a positive force for the client’s care we manage.