Meet Our Team

Marilyn Berman brings more than 25 years of experience in the senior care industry and a diverse background in health care, program development and community education. In her role as Executive Director, she oversees the care of Home Instead clients to ensure that they have the best care possible. This involves hiring and training the best caregivers in the marketplace, maintaining an appropriate level of contact with clients and families, and utilizing her contacts and community resources to assist with the process when needed. Marilyn is driven by a strong desire to use her vast experience to improve the quality of life for those afflicted with chronic illness, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Cancer, Strokes and other age-related illness or neurological diseases. Her career began as Associate Administrator of a Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) with 76 residents afflicted with neurological and mental illness.

During her career, Marilyn has matched thousands of clients with the most qualified care providers based on their unique needs and interests. She believes home care is not one-size-fits-all. She is passionate about providing the highest level of service possible to facilitate joy, comfort, and connection in the final years of life.

Marilyn’s understanding of the needs and challenges of families and seniors in transition, her expertise in long-term care options, along with her compassionate disposition, make her an invaluable resource for Santa Barbara County seniors, their families, and professionals.

When she is not working to build strong teams and lasting relationships, she enjoys studying nutrition and mindfulness.

Service:

- Vice President - Parkinson’s Association of Santa Barbara

- Ambassador for The Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce

- Support Group Facilitator - Central Coast Alzheimer’s Association

- Board Member - The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging

*Certified Health Coach- Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Tom grew up in Foxborough, Massachusetts. At the age of 18 he joined the United States Marine Corps infantry. While serving he made the rank of Sergeant meritoriously and deployed to Iraq twice. After leaving active duty, Tom began to pursue a science degree and joined a reserve Marine Corps unit, deploying with them for the third and last time to Afghanistan.

Tom received his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and worked in high-tech chemical manufacturing before pursuing his Master of Business for Veterans from the University of Southern California (USC). Tom then leveraged his extensive leadership experience from the Marines and his business education to work as an operations manager for a local luxury floral business and later a project manager in pharmaceutical manufacturing. 

However, an opportunity arose where Tom could apply not only his leadership and business education, but his care for the elder community. Having spent plenty of time at the local VA medical center chatting up Veterans of previous wars, Tom developed a deep sense of community and care for these Senior Veterans. His grandfather, a WW2 Veteran, was diagnosed with dementia and would have live much longer had he received the dedicated care that Home Instead provides. It is because of this that Tom is deeply passionate about providing care for the Senior Veteran community, as well as the civilian elder community.

As a California native, Ashlyn received her undergraduate degree in English and Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She quickly fell in love with this little slice of paradise and pursued a marketing career at a local community bank before acquiring this franchise in 2023. Outside of work Ashlyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading her latest book obsession, and enjoying the beauty that Santa Barbara has to offer.

Born and raised in the sunny haven of Carpinteria, California, Vanessa proudly claims this beautiful coastal town as her cherished hometown. A devoted mother of two vibrant daughters, she's also a seasoned caregiver with over 14 years of experience. Her passion for positively impacting lives ignited at the tender age of 15, while caring for her beloved grandfather. This formative experience sparked a dedicated pursuit of diverse careers within the medical field, all driven by a desire to provide exceptional care in countless ways. She's embraced three distinct roles on her journey: Medical Assistant, Behavioral Health Tech, and Memory Care Supervisor.

Regardless of the title, one unwavering element shines through her work: her boundless compassion. She wholeheartedly believes that treating everyone with the utmost respect and dignity is the key to delivering the very best care possible!