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Mary Davis

Mary Davis received her bachelor’s degree from Missouri Valley College where she obtained a Major in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Sociology and Psychology.

She started her career as a Direct Support Staff while pursuing her degree in college.  She then earned her first supervisory position, Residential Coordinator (RC), with Preferred Family Healthcare, where she supported children in a 60-day treatment facility for substance abuse.  With the experience received as a Residential Coordinator, Mary received an opportunity as a Program Supervisor for the Center for Human Services, Pettis County, in 2008.  She later became a Service Coordinator for the Center for Human Services, Clay County, in 2012.

In 2016, Mary returned to community living and accepted a role with Life Unlimited as Community Living, Program Manager.  Within 4 months of being the employed with Life Unlimited, Mary became Community Living, Program Director and in December 2019, Mary earned the position of Vice President of Community Living.

Vincent Bustamante

Vincent has worked in a variety of capacities in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 22 years.  He began his career as a live-in support staff at a group home, an experience that provided invaluable experience and drew him to the profession.  His experiences include direct support both direct support and supervision in day habilitation, supported employment, sheltered workshop, and residential settings.

Vince has Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Innovation from University of Missouri-Kansas City.  Prior to coming to Life Unlimited, Vincent served as the President/CEO of Open Options for four and a half years and is now the Vice President of training for Life Unlimited. Vince is a lifelong learner, he enjoys providing employee training, educating and supporting others to succeed in the field.

Mark Bertrand

Mark Bertrand, who has been serving as our Chief External Relations Officer, has been promoted to Chief Housing and Property Officer and will now oversee and manage all policies, procedures, and operations under Unlimited Property Management (UPM). Mark’s career path has been consistently marked by a firm commitment to the nonprofit sector. A passionate advocate for positive change, his journey has led him to this pivotal point. Before joining the Life Unlimited family, Mark’s expertise was showcased during his tenure as Executive Director at both the Liberty Hospital Foundation and Literacy Kansas City. He helped double Literacy Kansas City’s and Liberty Hospital Foundation’s overall budgets by helping develop a reliable, and diversified funding base. Previously, he served as American Stroke Foundation’s Director of Development and local council Executive Director for Camp Fire USA of the Ozarks. Mark’s genuine appreciation for the remarkable contributions of differently abled individuals has been a driving force throughout his nonprofit journey. This profound understanding has not only shaped his perspectives but has also ignited his unwavering commitment to the work that we do at Life Unlimited.

Julie Edlund

Julie Edlund, CEO of Life Unlimited, Inc.

Julie Edlund is a mission-driven CEO and social entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience leading and transforming nonprofit organizations—most of those dedicated to the disability field. Since taking the helm at Life Unlimited in 2014, Julie has led the organization through a remarkable era of growth: four successful mergers, a 517% expansion in services, and a more than twofold increase in wages for frontline caregivers.

Under her leadership, Life Unlimited has become a regional force for innovation and inclusion, expanding housing, employment, day services, and community living supports across the Kansas City metro. Most recently, Julie launched The Trails Neighborhood—a groundbreaking 46-acre development that will bring 33 quality affordable and accessible homes to individuals living with disabilities, directly addressing the region’s housing crisis with a bold, community-centered solution.

Her leadership is marked not just by strategic execution but by deep compassion. She’s known for cultivating high-performing cultures where every voice is valued, excellence is expected, and belonging is real. From mentoring rising leaders to showing up for team members on their hardest days, Julie leads with authenticity, resilience, and heart.

Prior to Life Unlimited, Julie served as Executive Director of Special Kids and Families and founded Youth Visions in Memphis, Tennessee. She began her career as a college volunteer at Learning Disabilities Association of Tennessee, and the United Cerebral Palsy-Life Center.

Julie’s expertise spans strategic growth, organizational turnarounds, fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, and operational excellence. But her mission is personal: to help build a world where everyone—regardless of ability—can live a life of unlimited possibility.

Sandra

Sandra has been in our Community Living program for 22 years. Her favorite part about being with Life Unlimited is her independence. This September, Sandra took a once in a lifetime trip on an Alaskan Cruise with her brother. She saved up money to go on the cruise with her two part time jobs, McDonalds and The Manor Thrift Store. Their cruise was through Carnival and they went to six ports: Seattle, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Victoria, and cruised the Tracy Arm Fjord.

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Julie Turley

When Julie Turley was 23 years old, she walked into Manor Thrift to pick out some curtains for her new apartment down the street. At the counter, she noticed a newsletter for a place called Immacolata Manor detailing their work with women who had intellectual and developmental disabilities. Julie had some experience in the disability field and decided to apply for a job. 37 years later, she doesn’t still have those curtains or that newsletter, but she does still have the job.

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