Meet our team
Meet the team that powers Missouri’s largest and highest rated CDS agency
Rachel Queen
Payroll & Billing Manager
Rachel is the Payroll and Billing Manager, overseeing the behind-the-scenes operations that keep everything running smoothly. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Strength and Conditioning from Lindenwood University and is dedicated to supporting both clients and employees while keeping a positive outlook in every situation.
She grew up in southern Illinois and now lives in the country with her husband and daughter. They enjoy life on plenty of open land, where they plan to raise their family and animals. A devoted fan of the Cardinals, Blues, and KC Chiefs, she also loves trying new foods, camping, and spending time outdoors. She enjoys sharing laughs with others while listening to the Bobby Bones Show. A fun fact about Rachel is that in 2023, she was inducted into the Lindenwood University Athletic Hall of Fame for Collegiate Cheerleading.
Kristyn Haworth
Payroll Specialist
Kristyn was born and raised in Charleston, Illinois and graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in Business Management. She is skilled in addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and providing caring and compassionate guidance.
In her free time, Kristyn enjoys going to concerts and baseball games, traveling, exploring local businesses, and creating memories with her best friends.
Kelsey Gallagher
Eligibility & Retention Specialist
Kelsey is a St. Louis native with a big heart and an even bigger love for people. She is all about good vibes, helping others, and making every moment count. With a strong background in customer service, Kelsey is known for going the extra mile (with a smile!).
Outside of work, she loves to hang out with family and friends, creating fun content, traveling, and making unforgettable memories wherever she goes.
Hannah Hamler
Coordination Specialist
Hannah was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Eastern Illinois University. Hannah is dedicated and eager to help answer questions, and provides a compassionate approach to her role here at Emerest.
She is passionate about health and food, and enjoys spending time in the kitchen baking in her free time. Hannah and her husband are big soccer fans—Arsenal FC is their favorite team in the English Premier League, and they rarely miss a match. Ultimately, Hannah’s favorite activity would be spoiling her (tiny but mighty) chihuahua, Buttons.
Samantha Lohman
Coordination Specialist
Born and raised in St. Louis City, Missouri, Samantha graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in both Psychology and Criminology from Drury University. Samantha has an employment background in case management where she specialized in verbal and non verbal communication. She enjoys helping people in whatever way she can. As an extrovert, Samantha loves to talk to the people around her and meet new friends. She loves to hear about others’ past experiences and the things they enjoy to do.
Samantha enjoys binge watching a good series with her husband, hanging out with friends and family, and spending as much time as she can with her 2 dogs, Reno and Rocco.
Kayla Fleming
Coordination Specialist
Kayla was born and raised in Saint Charles, Missouri, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri–Columbia. She brings a strong background in customer service, consistently creating positive experiences through attentive listening, clear communication, and genuine empathy. Kayla’s ability to anticipate needs, resolve concerns promptly, and adapt to diverse personalities fosters trust and loyalty among clients. She approaches every interaction with patience and professionalism, transforming challenges into opportunities for stronger relationships.
Outside of work, Kayla enjoys supporting her hometown teams—the Saint Louis Blues, the Mizzou football team, and the Saint Louis Cardinals.
Dayna Arthur
Onboarding Manager
Dayna has a strong background in customer service and a passion for helping people of all ages. She is committed to being a reliable resource that both clients and caregivers can utilize to learn more about the CDS program and how it can help them lead better lives!
Born and raised in Cape Girardeau, Dayna obtained her BS in Health Communication at Southeast Missouri State University. She enjoys being active, listening to pop music and loves to cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals.
Gianna Kight
Onboarding Specialist
Gianna is a proud 2025 graduate of Missouri Baptist University, where she had the privilege of being a student-athlete, playing soccer throughout her college career. Her time on the field not only helped her develop a strong work ethic and discipline but also taught her the importance of teamwork and perseverance. Gianna has a deep passion for helping others, which is why she enjoys working in customer service. She finds joy in making meaningful connections and ensuring that others have a positive experience.
Outside of work, Gianna loves spending time with her family. She and her husband enjoy taking their puppy, Sadie, on long walks, and they make the most of beautiful weather by being outdoors. Traveling is another passion of hers – she loves exploring new places and experiencing different cultures.
Cassidy Wallis
Intake Specialist
Born and raised in St. Louis, Cassidy is a recent graduate of Missouri State University with a degree in Marketing Management. She’s passionate about delivering excellent customer service and creating positive, memorable experiences for others. Whether it’s through clear communication, thoughtful problem-solving, or just a friendly attitude, she’s always looking for ways to support and uplift the people around her.
Cassidy enjoys hiking, reading, exploring new coffee shops, and visiting farmers markets. A lifelong Cardinals fan and still a little heartbroken about the Rams leaving town. She’s also a die hard Taylor Swift fan and is always blasting her music.
Abbie Tegtmeier
Customer Service Representative
Born and raised in Belleville, Illinois, Abbie brings a warm, energetic approach to everything she does. She graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies where she developed a passion for connecting with others and creating meaningful experiences.
Outside of work, Abbie enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors, and cooking. She values time with friends and family and loves finding new ways to keep life balanced and fulfilling.
Megan Lange
Human Resources Specialist
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Megan has a strong passion for helping others and building relationships. She enjoys learning new things and delivering excellent customer service. Megan received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Missouri Baptist University.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and Goldendoodle, Charles. She also enjoys cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues.
Leah Miller
Office Manager
Born in South Korea, Leah moved to the United States in 2002 and went on to attend the University of Missouri–Kansas City to study Pharmacy. With a strong background in customer service and management, Leah has excelled in various client-facing roles and takes pride in resolving challenges with a proactive, solution-driven approach. As the Office Manager at Emerest, Leah provides hands-on leadership, ensuring all departments collaborate seamlessly and the agency operates efficiently.
Standing tall at 4’9”, Leah loves to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Blues. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their son, tackling home improvement projects, sipping on iced coffee, and bowling in a league on Sundays.
Ayden Propst
Regional Marketing Associate
Born and raised in Mid-Missouri, Ayden has a background in Business and Marketing, graduating with a Bachelors degree from William Woods University. He has a strong passion in connecting with people and community to help those in need.
Outside of work, Ayden enjoys hanging out with his girlfriend and family, being outside, golfing, and seeing new places.
Albert Salem
Chief Financial Officer
Albert Salem serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Emerest. In this capacity, Albert oversees all finance functions and is charged with tax and compliance oversight responsibilities. With a strong desire to ensure patient satisfaction and safety, and strengthen caregivers’ job satisfaction and career growth, Albert looks forward to helping make Emerest the best experience for patients and caregivers. Albert received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Yeshiva University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
On weekends, you can find him spending time with his wife and three children.
Nate Cohn
Managing Director
Nate has been the Managing Director at Emerest since 2018. In that time he has overseen the growth of the firm from a small company to the largest and highest rated CDS agency in Missouri. Nate is focused on customer service and loves to receive constructive feedback about Emerest!
In his free time he enjoys listening to music, cycling and spending time with his wife and four children. He holds a BA from Yeshiva University and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
CDS is a free program available to all Medicaid participants. There is no cost to participate.
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