2024 Most Influential Women: Danielle Kincaid

Danielle Kincaid, an attorney and partner at The Elder Law Group LLC, says her proudest civic accomplishment to date is serving on the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education.

Kincaid is currently in her second term as a board member after being reelected in April. Shortly after, the board voted to retain her as president after she originally took on the role in 2023. She first was elected to the board in 2021, and her current term expires in 2027.

“It is an honor to serve on our board of education,” says Kincaid. “I will continue to encourage collaboration and partnership between schools, businesses and community organizations.”

Kincaid points to a variety of successes at SPS while she’s been on the board, including the district’s partnership in the Alliance for Healthcare Education; collaboration with Ozarks Technical Community College and the Premier Flight Center in developing the Fly SPS program; and increased transparency via new communication tools used by the district.

Kincaid says partnerships are crucial for SPS and the board.

“The old adage is true: It takes a village to raise a child,” she says. “Our schools should not be isolated from the communities in which they exist. Instead, for many of our neighborhoods, the school is the heartbeat of the neighborhood. The business community and nonprofit partners in those neighborhoods are encouraged to be involved in their local schools.

“Many of our newer programs within Springfield Public Schools are heavily reliant on strong partnerships with Springfield’s business and community organizations.”

In the legal world, Kincaid in 2019 co-founded The Elder Law Group LLC, specializing in estate planning, Medicaid nursing home coverage, elder abuse and neglect, guardianship and conservatorship, powers of attorney and probate. Co-owning the firm is the latest in a series of leadership work for Kincaid, who notes she was voted as the president of the Student Bar Association during her final year of law school at Creighton University School of Law.

“As a young woman in a male-dominated profession, starting my own firm was intimidating but empowering,” Kincaid says of The Elder Law Group. “I continue, daily, to advocate for my elderly clients to ensure their wishes are honored, regardless of their age or physical ability. As an elder law attorney, it is my professional responsibility to ensure all my clients are given respect and are heard, regardless of their age.”

Her civic work in the legal field has included service at Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association to start the Mini Law School for the Public and providing continuing legal education to up-and-coming attorneys. She was chosen in 2019 to become a fellow of the American Bar Association.