Meet Our Team

As co-owners of Baumgart Home Care Inc., Bob and Janet Baumgart bring together entrepreneurial vision and personal mission—redefining what high-quality home care can look like across every community they serve. 

Since purchasing their first Home Instead franchise in Waukee and Ames, Iowa in 2014, Bob and Janet have expanded their organization thoughtfully and strategically, with the Columbia, Missouri office representing their third Home Instead franchise. Their continued growth is grounded in a shared mission: 

• To help older adults age in place with dignity and joy 

• To be an employer of choice for compassionate caregivers 

• And to lead the home care industry through innovation, heart, and high standards 

Janet, a Registered Nurse, brings decades of clinical and family-centered care experience. While she is not involved in daily operations at the Columbia office, her insight and values continue to shape the company’s approach—especially in meeting the needs of older adults facing cognitive decline and complex health journeys. 

Bob’s leadership is rooted in business strategy and operational excellence. With a passion for coaching teams and creating scalable systems without sacrificing human connection, he remains actively involved in guiding franchise leaders and ensuring each location—including Columbia and Jefferson City—reflects their unwavering commitment to quality, trust, and personal service. 

Together, Bob and Janet lead with purpose. For them, home care is more than a business—it’s a way to create impact, empower families, and offer older adults a better way to age. 

Leading strategic growth and quality home care delivery across Iowa and Missouri 

Amy Alden brings over 20 years of experience in home care leadership to her role as Vice President of Operations for Baumgart Home Care Inc., where she provides strategic vision, operational guidance, and core process development for a growing network of Home Instead franchises, including the Columbia, MO office serving Columbia, Jefferson City and surrounding communities.

Amy began her career with Home Instead in 2004 and has spent the decades since redefining what’s possible for families who want meaningful, dignified alternatives to institutional care. Her expertise lies in developing deeply personalized, long-term care solutions — particularly for those living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cognitive loss — and scaling those systems without sacrificing human connection. 

Amy’s leadership has been shaped by both professional expertise and personal conviction. After witnessing her own grandmother’s painful experience in a nursing home, she became committed to building a better model — one where older adults are seen, heard, and honored, right in the homes they love. She has served as an advisory board member for Central Iowa’s Area Agency on Aging, a longtime board chair for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, a HERO volunteer, and a former board member of Heartland Senior Services, which supports low-income aging adults through essential services like adult day programs and transportation. 

Today, Amy focuses on building scalable processes that keep individual preferences and quality outcomes at the forefront. She works closely with each location’s General Manager and admin team, ensuring that the company’s purpose — to help people age on their own terms — drives every decision. 

Her leadership is values-driven, people-first, and fueled by a simple belief:  

“Caring for people is never simple — and it may never be perfect — but our commitment to creative solutions, continual growth, and unwavering values allows us to deliver care experiences that rise far above the status quo” 

Proudly serving Columbia, Jefferson City, and surrounding Missouri communities with trusted in-home senior care

Leanna Baudendistel serves as the General Manager of Home Instead in Columbia, Missouri, where she leads a passionate and professional team committed to delivering exceptional in-home care for seniors across Columbia, Jefferson City, and neighboring areas. Her leadership ensures that aging adults and their families receive personalized, compassionate support that promotes independence and peace of mind.

Leanna brings a strong foundation in leadership, customer service, and operations from her successful background in retail management. She joined Home Instead seeking a more meaningful path—one that combines her talent for team-building with her heart for service. She has since become a powerful advocate for families navigating the complexities of aging in place.

In her role, Leanna champions collaboration, high standards, and continuous improvement. She works side-by-side with her client care coordinators, schedulers, and recruitment team to ensure that each client receives not only high-quality home care, but the right care—delivered by professionals who understand the importance of connection and dignity.

A culture-builder at heart, Leanna believes deeply in Home Instead’s mission and values. Her favorite core value is Connection:

“Most things in life start with a great connection and blossom from there.”

Under her leadership, the Columbia office has seen stronger team alignment, renewed energy, and a deeper commitment to providing care that truly makes a difference.

When she’s not guiding her team, Leanna enjoys life on her rural Missouri property—spending time with her husband, their three bonus daughters, training horses, reading, and caring for their many family pets.

Kim Salmons plays a vital role on the Home Instead team in Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri, where she leads efforts in Client Care and Quality Assurance. With years of experience supporting older adults and their families, Kim is known for her passion, advocacy, and deep commitment to delivering exceptional in-home care that goes beyond expectations.

Having personally walked alongside many of her own loved ones through the aging and end-of-life journey, Kim brings a unique perspective to her work. Her personal experiences instilled in her a powerful sense of purpose: to ensure that every client not only receives capable care but has someone in their corner—an advocate who truly sees and supports them.

Families often find themselves overwhelmed by the aging process. Kim uses her knowledge, compassion, and integrity to guide them, helping loved ones find peace, clarity, and comfort—especially in life’s later stages. Whether working with clients facing chronic conditions, navigating family dynamics, or adjusting care plans, Kim brings both empathy and action to the table.

What she enjoys most is when clients and their families are genuinely thrilled with the care they receive. “If I can help our clients live their best life—no matter the stage they’re in—and make their families feel confident and supported, then I know we’ve made a meaningful difference.”

Outside of work, Kim enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and making handmade blankets. Her warmth and creativity extend far beyond her role—and are felt in every family she touches.

Proudly serving families in Columbia, Jefferson City, and surrounding Missouri communities

Emily Sturgess is the Client Care Advisor at Home Instead in Columbia, Missouri, where she helps older adults and their families navigate the path to exceptional in-home care. With a deep belief in dignity, independence, and personal connection, Emily supports families throughout Columbia, Jefferson City, and nearby areas with warmth, professionalism, and heart.

From the very first conversation, Emily’s focus is on trust and understanding. She takes time to listen to each family’s unique needs, explain care options clearly, and ensure clients feel seen and supported. Once services begin, Emily continues to nurture the relationship—collaborating with caregivers and families to provide compassionate, high-quality care at home.

Emily’s dedication to aging in place is personal. All four of her grandparents were able to remain at home as they aged, with help from family and in-home caregivers. She saw firsthand the peace of mind that comes from receiving care in a familiar, loving environment, and she’s committed to creating that same experience for the families she serves today.

Prior to joining Home Instead, Emily held leadership roles in operations, sales, and event management—honing her ability to unite people behind a shared purpose and drive exceptional outcomes. Today, she channels those strengths into meaningful, purpose-driven work in home care.

Emily’s favorite Home Instead core value is Integrity, because she believes lasting relationships are built on honesty, consistency, and follow-through. Whether supporting an overwhelmed family member, coordinating with care staff, or guiding a new family through their care journey, she leads with transparency and heart.

Outside of work, Emily is all about family. She and her husband stay busy raising their children—walking to the park, swimming, playing, and soaking up every joyful moment together. She also enjoys solo workouts, which help her reset and recharge. A favorite quote she lives by comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded.”

Emily is proud to make that kind of difference every day for seniors and families in the Columbia and Jefferson City areas.