Meet our Staff

Barbara Horstmeyer, GCM
Founder & President

After 20 years working in both Acute Care Hospitals and Long Term Care Facilities, Founder and President Barbara Horstmeyer realized that her experience and knowledge was valuable to families attempting to navigate the confusing and often disconnected medical health care system. Adding to the confusion was a lack of understanding of the financial impact on families along with the legal implications.

In 1999, Barbara launched the Senior Planning Group as the first and only Life-care Planning Firm in Wisconsin. For 16 years she has assisted families whose loved ones either have had an acute health care change or have a chronic health care need. She understand first hand the stress caregivers face when caring for an elderly parent or loved one. She takes this role seriously because there isn’t time to waste or mistakes to be made when life, health, finances and legal questions are pressing.

Barbara is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Wisconsin End of Life Coalition , Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County and Supportive Community Services, Inc. in Milwaukee. She sits on the Alzheimer’s Challenging Behaviors Task Force with the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern Wisconsin and is an active member of the Milwaukee & Waukesha County Adult Protective Services Interdisciplinary team.

Barbara lives near Holy Hill with her husband, and two dogs. In her free time Barbara enjoys gardening, hiking and spending time with her three children and six grandchildren.

Attorney W. Ryan Zenk, JD, CFP
Elder Law Attorney

Ryan is a strategic partner of the Senior Planning Group. He is able to meet with families to discuss “spousal impoverishment, Medicaid, Asset Protection or any other Estate Planning Issues.” There is not a cost for this initial consultation. If legal documents are needed, he will always quote those fees at the time of consultation.

Ryan has practiced law in the area of Estate and Asset Protection Planning, Tax and Elder Law for over 19 years. He received his Bachelor and Juris Doctor degrees from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ryan is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Wealth Counsel, the Illinois/Wisconsin Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys, the AARP Legal Service Network and the Real Property, Trust and Probate and the Elder Law Committees of the Wisconsin Bar. His law office is located in Wisconsin, with an affiliated office in Arizona.

In his free time, Ryan enjoys traveling, hiking, scuba diving, running and trout fishing. He also has two daughters.

Erika LaPean, MBA
Benefit Specialist

Erika has been working with the Senior Planning Group since 2002. She serves as a Private Benefits Specialist. In this capacity, Erika handles Medicaid/T-19 applications from beginning to end. Erika works closely with our families as they gather an inventory of their assets, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, insurance policies, income sources and health insurance benefits. This “inventory” allows our Geriatric Care Managers to provide appropriate placement options, costs of in home care, and helps us to provide a long range financial plan that covers all levels of care.

Erika received her Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Non-Profit Management from UW-Milwaukee and her bachelors degree in business marketing and journalism from UW-Oshkosh.

Erika spends her weekends outside with her husband, three daughters, and their two golden retrievers.

Sara Umnus, CSW
Administrative Coordinator

Sara joined the Senior Planning Group in 2016 as a Case Manager with 14 years experience working in various healthcare settings.  She has since transitioned into her role as Administrative Coordinator.  She assists with client case coordination and administrative operations for Senior Planning Group.

Sara graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a Bachelors of Social Work degree.  She lives in Waukesha with her husband, son, and cat.  They enjoy spending time together, traveling, and being outdoors.