Meet Our Team

After earning his CNA license, Ryan joined Home Instead in 2001 as a CAREGiver. In 2004 he joined our office staff, and has since become a steadfast presence on the Client Care Team. He is passionate about caring for the elderly, and finds working with both seniors and their CAREGivers to be its own reward.

Ryan has called many places home throughout the years, but now happily resides in Libertyville. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and 3 children.

Alexandra (Alex) started her passion for caring for people as a nanny. After a few years, Alex shifted her focus to the elderly community and became a caregiver at an assisted living home. In 2011, Alex joined the Home Instead staffing team and has since been promoted to Office Manager. In addition to managing the office, Alex divides her time between the Staffing Department and Accounting. Her goals are to hire the best CAREGivers for our clients. While hiring CAREGivers, Alex focuses on what the owners taught her: hire CAREGivers you would want to take care of your family.

Through her years at Home Instead, Alex has learned to be a better and stronger advocate for her grandmother and visits her in Ohio frequently. Alex lives in Arlington Heights with her family. In her free time, Alex enjoys traveling, and trying new recipes and restaurants.

Emma has been with Home Instead since 2015. Although her primary role is Staffing Coordinator, she also devotes much of her time to the Client Care Department. Emma's caregiving journey started over 10 years ago as a CNA in both facilities and home settings. Making a difference in people's lives has always been her passion, so when Emma relocated to Illinois she brought the culmination of her experience to our Home Instead team. Emma was raised in Romania, but considers both Illinois and Home Instead her second homes. She enjoys spending quality time with her daughter and "cooking up a storm."

Kathy has been with Home Instead for over six years. She became a CNA over ten years ago after caring for an elderly family member and realizing her passion for senior care. She worked briefly in a senior residential facility, but soon realized she preferred one-on-one care. She started out as a CAREGiver at Home Instead and quickly expanded her role to Training Coordinator and then Client Care Coordinator. Kathy believes CAREGivers can make all the difference in keeping a senior in their home and works daily to keep our clients safe and well cared for through age-friendly modifications and updated care plans and goals. She has lived in Arlington Heights for over 20 years and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Sue started her Home Instead Career in 2016. After dedicating six years with a client, Sue was brought into the office to share her experience and leadership with other CAREGivers. Sue spends her days supporting CAREGivers and giving clients that extra attention they deserve. Prior to Home Instead, Sue spent 10 years with an Assisted Living facility as a lead caregiver.

When not at work, Sue enjoys time with her family. You can always find her rooting on her grandsons at sporting events. Her weekends are full between Braden's baseball games and Gabriel's football games.

Monica Lavrisa is a dedicated professional with a passion for enhancing the lives of others. Driven by her commitment to improving the quality of life for seniors, Monica transitioned into the role of a fitness instructor within an assisted living community. Overseeing tailored exercise programs, she not only encouraged physical activity but also fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among the residents. Her infectious enthusiasm and personalized approach made her a beloved figure among the seniors she worked with.  Eager to broaden her skill set and make a deeper impact, Monica then ventured into the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Through her patient guidance and evidence-based interventions, Monica empowered her clients to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. With a diverse background spanning caregiving, fitness instruction, and ABA therapy, Monica brings a unique blend of compassion, expertise, and adaptability to every role she undertakes. She is deeply committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others and continues to seek opportunities to grow professionally while making meaningful contributions to her community.

Client Care Coordinator

Maria began her journey at Home Instead in 2021 as a dedicated caregiver, quickly earning recognition for her exceptional caregiving skills, especially when working with clients who had more complex needs. Her ability to connect with both clients and their families led to a well-deserved promotion to Client Care Coordinator. In this new role, Maria continues to foster meaningful relationships with Care Pros and clients, ensuring the highest level of care is always provided. Passionate about supporting both clients and her team, Maria thrives in building trust and creating a compassionate environment for all involved.

In her free time, Maria enjoys spending time with her family and friends. 

Client Care Coordinator and RN

Saba joined the Home Instead team in 2024 and has been a registered nurse for over four years. Her experience includes working with the elderly in various settings. Saba is passionate about providing quality care while being mindful of her clients' individual preferences and care needs. She collaborates with other healthcare professionals to ensure client safety, create a positive environment, and facilitate the achievement of exceptional outcomes.

On her days off, Saba enjoys trying new brunch spots, babysitting her nieces and, going for long drives. 

Receptionist and Administrative Assistant

Ashley has been a valued member of Home Instead since early 2024, but her caregiving journey became long before that. While in college, she cared for a family friend, sparking her passion for helping others. Throughout her life, Ashley has gravitated towards roles that involve supporting and uplifting those around her. Prior to joining Home Instead, she worked as therapeutic riding instructor, helping seniors in her community as a caregiver with Home Instead before transitioning to her current role in the office. Ashley is the friendly, welcoming voice you'll hear when you call Home Instead and the smiling face you see when you enter our office.

In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time at the barn, riding her horse or relaxing at her home in Lincolnshire, creating cherished memories with her family. 

Sara Blinten has been dedicated to the home care field since 2008, when she began her career as a CNA in a nursing home. Starting out as a caregiver, she worked her way up through various roles across the industry, gaining extensive experience in private/CCP home care, agencies, and facilities.

Sara’s passion for caring for older adults and individuals with disabilities is at the heart of everything she does. Her deep knowledge, hands-on experience, and compassionate approach make her a trusted advocate for families navigating care needs. She truly believes that helping people age with dignity and comfort is not just a job—it’s a calling.

Outside of work, Sara enjoys spending quality time with her two daughters and caring for her elderly mother, continuing her commitment to caregiving at home.

Dani is our Training and Development Coordinator, she has a strong background in caregiving and a passion for educating others. A CNA since 2020 and currently pursuing a nursing degree, she brings hands-on experience from home health, assisted living, and long-term care settings. Dani is dedicated to equipping Care Pros with the skills and knowledge they need to deliver exceptional care to clients.

Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor adventures, tabletop gaming, reading, and attending concerts.