Meet Our Team

Meet Julie Ann, Our Founder and Franchise Owner
Julie Ann opened her Home Instead franchise in 1998 as a trained EMT, with a heartfelt passion for helping older adults age successfully at home. Growing up close to her grandparents, Julie Ann developed a deep appreciation for the value of family support and the importance of aging
with dignity. Her personal experiences caring for her grandparents as they aged, and later walking alongside her mother during her cancer journey, shaped her vision of what aging at home could look like for other families as well as her own.

Most recently, Julie Ann cared for her mother-in-law during her hospice journey until her passing. This experience deepened her sensitivity to the unique support and skills required by caregivers to help families during such an intimate and meaningful time in a loved one’s life. Julie Ann’s firsthand understanding of these challenges fuels her commitment to providing compassionate, skilled care for every family Home Instead serves.

For over 25 years, Julie Ann has been dedicated to empowering older adults and their families with the resources and care they need to thrive. Her leadership and vision continue to guide our team in delivering exceptional care, ensuring that every individual can age with comfort,
independence, and respect in the place they call home.

Meet Gina Mendoza, Operations Manager and Billing & Payroll Specialist
Gina Mendoza has recently been promoted to Operations Manager in 2024 at Home Instead, bringing her exceptional expertise and dedication to this vital leadership role. She also serves as our Billing and Payroll Specialist, ensuring seamless operations and financial accuracy across the
board.

For the past 10 years, Gina has been a pillar in the home health industry. Like many caregivers, her journey began at home, caring for her grandparents and later her father during his hospice care. These deeply personal experiences have shaped her empathetic approach and provided her with invaluable insights into the needs of clients and caregivers alike.

Gina’s comprehensive understanding of caregiving, paired with her problem-solving abilities, makes her an ideal leader. Whether it’s resolving complex situations or supporting staff with her hands-on caregiving knowledge, she approaches every challenge with vigor and positivity.

Even outside of work, Gina continues to provide care, looking after her husband’s 94-year-old grandmother. She is  constantly refining her skills and applying advanced caregiving techniques, further solidifying her reputation as a trusted leader.

Her transition from Staffing Coordinator to Operations Manager has been seamless, thanks to her
strong inner drive to care for others and her ability to match caregivers and clients effectively. As Gina says, “It makes my heart warm knowing we are supporting families with their loved ones as they age in place.”

We are thrilled to have Gina leading our team and know her expertise and passion will continue to make a meaningful impact on our clients and staff.

Naudia is our staff recruiter and Human Resource’s expert. She has worked in the senior care business for over 13 years providing support to executives and clients alike, often working as staff liaison while interacting with caregivers and administration. She worked for several notable corporations during her 25 years of serving in the Human Resource’s field.

Naudia graduated from Dominican University with a degree in Human Resource’s management. She serves our local community as a board member of the Sonoma County Employers Advisory Council and as President of Redwood Empire Secretariat. Naudia demonstrates her leadership capacity through coaching and development for new and emerging leaders.

When not in the office, she has been found chasing behind any one of her four great grandchildren, joking around with any of her seven grandchildren, or enjoying family time with her two adult children, Melanie and Anthony. Naudia loves cooking, reading, and a good garage sale!

With just over a year of experience in the in home care industry, beginning at a Home Instead office in Portland, Oregon, Sierra has quickly developed a deep passion for supporting individuals in ways that truly make a difference. Her academic background in Anthropology has shaped her perspective and strengthened her desire to help marginalized populations, giving her a unique understanding of the cultural and personal needs that shape an individual’s care. Sierra is highly driven by the opportunity to connect clients with compassionate caregivers who meet their needs, and is committed to creating an environment where both clients and caregivers feel valued and supported. At Home Instead, she is excited to continue learning and growing, while contributing to a team that is dedicated to improving the lives of others.

When not at work, you can always find Sierra outside—whether it’s hiking with her dog, Aoife and husband, wandering through the woods foraging for mushrooms and plants, or in their kayak on the lake. Even though she grew up in Southern California and has recently returned, she had lived in Portland for the past 5 years and found what feels like home to her among the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Work Life balance is incredibly important to Sierra so she finds balance in other things, like reading, yoga, working out, and aerial silks. These activities help her recharge and stay connected to what matters, both in her personal life and in the work she does.

​Jim began his work at Home Instead in early 2017. He quickly became a favorite with our clients. Jim was recently given the distinct position of caregiver Ambassador where he has the opportunity to meet with clients, families and caregivers. In this new role Jim (known as Jimmy T) will set standards, encourage a positive workplace and engage with staff on daily activities. Jimmy T is a trained mentor and leader which becomes evident at first contact.

Jimmy T found his calling after caring for his elderly parent in laws. First his mom in law and then his father in law who spent their last days in his home. He loved this phase of caring and got to meet wonderful caregivers who inspired him to find his path in this field.

Jimmy T owned his own woodworking business before he UNretired to work with Home Instead. He is an active member of the community and loves to interact with people on all levels. He is a positive role model for others as well as a talented woodworker. Jimmy T is married to Barbara, raised two daughters and has the privilege of spending lots of time with his two sweet grandkids.

Meet Katie Belcher!