Our Team

​Dianne’s journey with Home Instead Senior Care began in 2002 when she joined the team as a CAREGiver. A long standing advocate for the Erie community and its residents, she knew she had found her passion. Dianne felt an instant connection to her clients and the Home Instead Senior Care mission: to enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Shortly after she joined the company, she channeled this passion into her new role in the office as the Director of Public Relations, Development, and Operations. As she worked with the then Home Instead, Erie, owners to spread the word about the services the organization offers, and fostered long-lasting bonds with the clients, the families, and the CAREGivers, it became clear to Dianne that this mission was her calling.

“I wanted to buy the business I’d worked for all those years because the clients and their families became a part of my heart,” said Dianne. “I’m committed to helping others have peace of mind when it comes to their relative’s welfare. I often wake up in the middle of the night worried about a CAREGiver, worried about the health condition of a client, and praying for an outcome.”

Home Instead’s clients, CAREGivers, and office staff, are at the very core of Dianne’s love for her work. To Dianne, it’s personal.

To contact Dianne, email: dcunningham@homeinstead.com.

​Bob shares Dianne’s passion for Home Instead Senior Care’s mission. A lifelong Erie resident, he left his career in the auto industry to join his wife in supporting the seniors of Erie County and their families after volunteering his time for two years. He is the CEO— a title he does not take lightly— which is as tough and rewarding as it sounds. Bob merges business sense with compassion, understanding that preserving the dignity of our clients and providing quality training to our CAREGivers is the key to success for all. He hopes to broaden the reach of our services to all of Erie County in an effort to improve the quality of life for seniors throughout the area and ease the burdens on their families where possible.

“We love seeing the CAREGivers become part of the family and developing long-term relationships with seniors,” said Bob. “We enjoy quite a reputation in helping families care for relatives suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Our CAREGivers are trained extensively in this area.” To Bob, it’s personal.

To contact Bob, email: bcunningham@homeinstead.com.

Lisa joined the Home Instead, Erie, team in 2013 and has enjoyed working with the team every day since! She is proud to work for a company whose goal is to improve the overall quality of life by fulfilling seniors' wishes to remain in their home as they age while easing the burden on families. Behind all of the paper and daily tasks, she loves that the core of who we are and what we do helps those in need and relieves stress on families caring for the people they love and cherish the most. She feels blessed to call it her job as it brings her great joy and fulfillment. The Home Instead, Erie, mission statement, "With mindful hearts, we ease burdens, keep promises, and preserve dignity," is essential to everything Lisa does. "We succeed in providing the greatest care Erie County has to offer seniors, while being one of the best employers our local senior care industry has to offer. I enjoy being a part of this team and look forward to continuing to share our mission with more families and employees for years to come," said Lisa. To Lisa, it's personal.

 To contact Lisa, email: lcunningham@homeinstead.com.

Amy Jennings joined our team as Administrative Coordinator in September 2014. She enjoys the challenges that come with this fast-paced, high-energy workplace. Interacting with many CAREGivers and clients daily has helped her develop a better understanding of caring for seniors and their needs.  Amy feels that helping a senior remain in their home is truly rewarding and accurately reflects Home Instead, Erie's mission statement:  "With mindful hearts, we ease burdens, keep promises, and preserve dignity."  To Amy, it's personal.

To contact Amy, email: ajennings@homeinstead.com.

Misty joined our team in February 2015 as the Human Resources Manager. Misty was born and raised in New Bern, North Carolina, where she previously worked as Director of Human Resources for a senior living facility. After twelve years of employment, she was promoted to Director of Regional Operations where she oversaw five senior living facilities, supported the staff, and enhanced the lives of seniors. Misty completed her degree in Health Care Administration from The University of Phoenix. She is very excited to be the voice of the CAREGivers and passionate about providing quality care at home for seniors. Misty's passion and dedication to the Human Resources department shines through her ability to enlighten those around her, while sharing our mission statement with employees joining our Home Instead family. To Misty, it's personal.

Kolby joined our team in April 2016 as the Human Resource Assistant and CAREGiver Engagement Coordinator. Kolby was introduced to Home Instead Senior Care when Dianne Cunningham did an “Alzheimer’s Friendly Business” training for her wait staff at Joe Root’s Grill, where she was a manager and worked for about 8 years. With a degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Edinboro University, Kolby always wanted a rewarding career where she can help those in need find what they truly are passionate about. She loves running special programs that help our wonderful CAREGivers get involved in the Erie community. Kolby also prides herself on running special training sessions, ensuring our CAREGivers are equipt with the necessary tools while in they're in the field. She enjoys sharing our mission statement with those we serve. To Kolby, it's personal.

To contact Kolby, email: kolby.kulhanek@homeinstead.com.

Jackie joined Home Instead Senior Care as a CAREGiver in October 2017. She received her RN from Luzerne County Community College followed by a BS in Rehabilitation from Penn State University. Working with special needs clients, seniors, and of course, life experiences, has allowed her to grow and share her passion of caring for others - a most vital act for the age we live in today. Caring is two-fold for Jackie. It comes with not only grief, difficulties, and sadness, but also with a sweeter level of love, sharing, and giving of herself. This is a choice. She finds it keeps her developing greater inner resources for seeking a higher expression of understanding in her personal and professional life.  

Jackie believes a true CAREGiver knows the most effective way to act upon the universe is through example: attraction rather than promotion. Being willing in mind and spirit is a process she embraces-- a process that can work within the most delicate nature of our soul. From her first interaction with Home Instead Senior Care staff, she felt at home.  

Life in its fullest brilliance is a reciprocal endeavor-- a labor of love. She feels her position with Home Instead Senior Care, Erie, gives her a compass. It allows her to follow her desire to help, care for, and nurture to the ends of clients' expectations. Being present, being in the moment, helping clients and their families make the best, and at times, difficult decisions is critical. Providing an objective evaluation on an individual basis is where she feels the spiritual force of her responsibilities. She challenges herself to ease families' burdens, provide information, and keep the Home Instead promise to assure our clients' needs are met. To Jackie, it's personal.

​Maggie began working with Home Instead Senior Care in 2013, but caring for others has been a passion of hers from the time she was a little girl. This is what lead her to pursue and graduate from the LPN program at Mercyhurst Northeast. Maggie started out as a CAREGiver, working for a wonderful and loving family for over for six years, who came to see her as if she was one of their own daughters. This was her first and only client throughout that time and her service to the family earned her CAREGiver of the Year at Home Instead, Erie. After realizing she wanted to touch more lives and ensure other seniors receive high-quality care, she joined the office staff as the Quality Assurance Coordinator in April 2019. Maggie interviews potential CAREGivers, assesses the needs of our clients, and monitors these needs as they evolve to ensure our clients’ standard of care evolves with them. Home Instead’s mission is one that pulls at her heartstrings— especially as her own grandmother has been diagnosed with dementia. Now, as the Client Care Coordinator, Maggie strives to make sure all seniors in the Erie area are given the opportunity to be treated like family. To Maggie, it’s personal.

​Helen has always felt her passion and purpose in life is to help people— especially our beloved seniors. They hold a special place in her heart. Much of Helen’s work experience has been in long-term care, where she has held administrative positions. While in these roles, she had the opportunity to build relationships with the senior residents and family members. This fueled Helen’s desire to make a difference and to change her career path, which led to her becoming a Client Care Coordinator at Home Instead Senior Care, Erie. Helen aims to lead with her heart and guide each senior through the process of aging by providing the best possible care for them— like they were her own family members. She is committed to carrying out our mission: “With mindful hearts, we ease burdens, keep promises, and preserve dignity.” To Helen, it’s personal.

Sue has been drawn to working with seniors for a long time. From working in the social services office at an assisted living facility during her college summers to cleaning apartments for seniors to make extra money during the school year, she's always loved spending time with the older and wiser generation. As her kids got old enough and Sue was ready to enter the work force, it's no surprise that she gravitated to agencies that provided support to seniors. Sue started as a CAREGiver with Home Instead Senior Care, Erie, in 2010, and began working in the office as a Scheduler less than a year later. Sue is incredibly grateful that her position allows her to get to know not only the seniors and their families, but the CAREGivers as well. To Sue, it’s personal.​

Schelly Nagg started as a CAREGiver for Home Instead, Erie, in October 2016. The experiences she had day-to-day with her client formed a love and passion for Home Instead Senior Care and all that we can do for our clients. Shortly after joining the company, Schelly began another journey with HISC in the office as the On-Call Supervisor. In this role, she learned more about day-to-day operations with both our clients and caregivers-- which brought her to where she is today as the Scheduling Coordinator.  She takes great pleasure in bringing clients and caregivers together to enhance the lives of our seniors. To Schelly, it's personal.

​Lisa was drawn to Home Instead after recently living with the aging, and the ultimate death, of her parents. Knowing what Home Instead offers to the elderly in our community and their families touches a personal place in her heart. Born and raised in Erie, PA, Lisa has strong ties to our community. She graduated from Gannon University with a degree in business administration and has worked in several industries within the community including, manufacturing, insurance, health care, and many more. Lisa has a strong background in business and administrative capacities and enjoys the challenges of her workday. Additionally, Lisa has a deep respect for our CAREGivers and all the staff who support families in the Erie community during one of life’s most difficult challenges— the care of loved one. To Lisa, it’s personal.

Carol joined the Home Instead, Erie, team in 2017 and loves the people who make up this fine organization. Currently, Carol works "behind-the-scenes" as the Billing Specialist. She has over 44 years of experience as a Registered Nurse and human rights advocate.  In her day-to-day over those years, Carol found her love for our community's Senior Citizens.  After working in one of Erie's local offices, Carol joined the Area Agency on Aging. There, she developed and implemented a number of different programs including Home PLUS, Project Elder Reach, and the Aging Waiver Program. Carol is committed to addressing quality of life issues as well as bringing comfort and caring into the lives of our seniors through her work. She is thrilled that circumstances lead her to Home Instead, where she knows that her beloved seniors are cared for with love and kindness. "It has been a joy working here, and in particular, working for Bob and Dianne Cunningham, who provide such tremendous support to this community, both through Home Instead, and their numerous charitable endeavors," Carol said. To Carol, it's personal.

​Kathy began her journey with Home Instead Senior Care, Erie, in October of 2019. She currently coordinates billing and payroll for the Home Instead team. Prior to owning her own business, she also worked in the healthcare industry for 9 years. Kathy and her sisters had the extreme pleasure of caring for their parents in their own home, which makes her appreciate the love and compassion it takes to be a CAREGiver.  On a daily basis, Kathy sees Home Instead's CAREGivers provide love and compassion for all of our clients and loves seeing that they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. “It is a blessing to be a part of this amazing team and work side-by-side with knowledgeable and devoted co-workers,” said Kathy. To Kathy, it’s personal.