OUR TEAM
Christa Means
Founder / Operator
Christa has a passion for helping others. She was drawn to the world of residential assisted living after watching her sister and mother, a hospice nurse, take care of multiple family members in their home.
She earned a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Dallas and attended The Ohio State University for graduate studies in Statistics. Although her education led her to a 17-year career in compliance and risk management at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, she also has successfully built, managed, and sold a real estate portfolio. She is now using her lifelong experiences to provide safe, comfortable, luxury homes with the highest level of loving care, to residents and families in need.
Christa resides in DFW with her husband Ryan, and five children.
Sara Cissell
Chief Human Resources Officer
Sara Cissell is a senior-level Human Resources leader with extensive experience in long-term care and nonprofit organizations. With a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Keller Graduate School of Management, she brings expertise in staffing, mediation, policy development, and team management. Sara is also highly proficient in Microsoft tools and has a strong background in sales and organizational leadership. Her commitment to compassionate care and effective workforce strategies makes her an integral part of our leadership team.
Tina Hawkins
Corporate Office Manager
Tina has always had a love for seniors and enjoys making sure families have what they need to best care for their loved ones. She became interested in residential assisted living after her mother’s health declined and developed dementia, forcing her family to place her mother in assisted living. Tina has experienced the highs and lows of placing a loved one and is empathic to everyone’s journey. She is committed to making sure all seniors are well cared for and not forgotten.
Tina has an eye for detail, research, documentation, and follow-through which aligns well with her associate’s degree in paralegal studies and a lifetime of support roles. Tina was hired as an Executive Assistant to Christa Means, but her role has expanded significantly and best described as the Corporate Office Manager. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization, ensuring the office runs efficiently and effectively. Tina is tasked with supporting everyone outside of the office at various locations as well and solving the latest problems every single day. Tina is resourceful and dedicated to Magnolia’s mission to serve our seniors.
Tina resides in the DFW area and has one grown son who she absolutely adores.
Jerrie He
Accountant
Jerrie He serves as our dedicated bookkeeper, where she brings clarity and precision to our financial operations. With a strong focus on delivering accurate, timely financial insights, Jerrie plays a key role in supporting informed business decisions and maintaining operational efficiency across all areas of our organization.
Her dedication to numbers is matched by her thoughtful approach and reliability—qualities that make her a trusted part of our leadership team. Whether managing budgets, tracking expenses, or streamlining reporting, Jerrie ensures our financial systems stay organized and effective.
Outside of the office, Jerrie finds joy in sports and travel, and draws creative inspiration from poetry and the perspective that comes from exploring new places. She believes that a balance of precision in her work and passion in her life fuels both personal and professional growth.
Nica Means
HR & Marketing Coordinator
Nica Means is a proud graduate of the University of Arizona, where she earned her degree in Business Management Magna Cum Laude and with honors from the Honors College. Based in Tucson, Arizona, she brings a unique blend of creativity, professionalism, and heart to the world of senior living, with a passion for both marketing and human resources.
With a sharp eye for strategy and a genuine love for connecting with people, Nica excels at creating engaging outreach campaigns, supporting talent recruitment, and building lasting community relationships. She’s known for her energy, thoughtfulness, and ability to get things done.
Outside of work, Nica enjoys long walks, playing pickleball, and diving into anything that helps her grow in her favorite spaces: marketing and HR.
Gabriela Guebert
Regional Activities Director
Gaby brings nearly a decade of senior care experience and a passion for helping residents find purpose and joy through meaningful activities. Starting as an Activity Assistant, she worked her way up to Activity Director and now serves as Regional Activity Director for Magnolia.
With an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts and certification from the International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, Gaby mentors Activity Coordinators, helps create engaging calendars, and ensures programs meet proper protocols. Her hands-on experience allows her to understand and support the daily needs of each community.
Gaby loves building connections with residents and bringing joy through music, often leading sing-alongs and performances. She believes music is a powerful tool for emotional connection, especially for those with memory loss.
Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband Mitch, their two children, Katharine and Elijah, and their dog Ruger—her greatest joy and inspiration.