Brian and Dana have been married for 17 years and have had the privilege of being licensed foster parents for 15 years. They have loved pouring their heart and soul into dozens of foster youth during that time who needed someone to take a chance on them. They are also very involved in their fostering community, serving on various foster/adopt advisory boards and mentoring other foster families. Brian and Dana are two of Dogwood Ranch’s co-founders and Dana is currently serving as CEO. In addition to their amazing foster youth, they have three beautiful daughters, Hailey (29), Kezzie (13) and Sammy (11).
Dana’s parents, Sam and Brenda Crowell, have spent their married life together opening their home to children and youth. Starting a ranch for kids has been a lifelong dream of theirs, but doing it alone was not a possibility. The Lord began putting the pieces of the puzzle together when Brian and Dana married and shared the same desire. Little did they know that the dream would become Dogwood Ranch and that they would relocate to southwest Missouri from California. Sam is the Ranch Manager and Brenda serves as the Accounting Manager, however having the privilege of being Papa and Nana to the many precious kiddos of Dogwood Ranch is their greatest joy.
(1941-2023)
Don & Margie Lopez were married in 1971 and lived most of their lives in California. They raised 3 sons, who have blessed them with 3 lovely daughters-in-law and 7 precious grandchildren. They have been blessed to be “Grammy & Pappy” to not only their 7 grandchildren but to the many foster kids who are and have been a part of Dogwood Ranch. Don went home to heaven in February 2023 but left us with lots of joyful memories and a legacy of love. Margie works part-time as a legal secretary for a law firm in Springfield, Missouri and serves as the Dogwood Ranch Secretary. She is amazed every time she looks back at the divine circumstances and miraculous journey that led them to live in Missouri and to help establish Dogwood Ranch. They could not be more blessed!
Izzey and her husband, Zach, live on a small farm in Rogersville, where she’s trained both horses and riders for the last 10+ years. Not one to be tied to one discipline, Izzey has trained and competed in many events, from driving to dressage. Though naturally competitive, her favorite horseback activity is still a quiet trail ride through God’s beautiful country on one of her draft horses. Izzey is ever working to expand her knowledge of horses and horse care to be the best equestrian and horseman she can be. A self-proclaimed “horse nerd,” she is excited to join the Dogwood family as the barn manager.
Kathleen serves as the Business Administrator for Dogwood Ranch. After growing up with parents who did foster care, then becoming a foster parent for a short time herself, Kathleen has always had a passion for the foster youth of our community. She has a background in banking, church administration, and women’s ministry and will be using her skills from all those industries to serve Dogwood with heart and passion. Kathleen is happily married and has 3 beautiful kids who all are excited to be a part of the Dogwood family.
Jenifer Sturdivan is a licensed professional counselor in Southwest Missouri and has served in this capacity for the past 20 years. She is the owner and lead therapist at Reclaimed Hearts Therapeutic Services where she specializes in clinical disorders, court-ordered high conflict co-parenting, and sex trafficking. She also serves on the leadership team of Stand Against Trafficking. She presents education and awareness to schools, hospitals, families, and anyone else interested in learning about human trafficking in the Ozarks. She is a gifted teacher having taught Theories of Personality and Abnormal Psychology at College of the Ozarks. She recently presented a lecture entitled “Understanding Child Development as a GAL” for the Missouri Bar Family Law Conference in Branson. Jenifer lives in Springfield, MO, with her son, Judah, and their dog, Dexter.
Lisa serves as the Care Coordinator at The Haven at Dogwood Ranch which is helping former foster youth in crisis. Lisa has a background in serving and helping Youth through social work, ministry, and her own kids; Cade 20 , Olivia 18, Paige 17, and Blake 13. She has been married for 24 years to her husband Jeremy. She knows God brought her to Dogwood for a reason and she is loving the ranch life and learning about horses.
