Meet Our Team

Eric and Angela Thomas are the co-owners of Home Instead serving South Bend, Granger, Mishawaka, and surrounding Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan communities. Together, they lead a team dedicated to helping older adults remain safely and comfortably at home while supporting families through complex care decisions.

With more than 25 years of experience in senior care and community-based services, Eric and Angela work closely with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, hospice providers, and senior living communities across St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, and Noble counties.

Eric holds an MBA from St. Ambrose University and previously served as President and CEO of Stonehill Franciscan Services, where he led major growth initiatives in aging services. Angela, with a background in education and ministry, brings a strong focus on relationships, communication, and family-centered support.

Their approach is rooted in helping families navigate moments such as hospital discharges, dementia progression, and increasing care needs at home—ensuring each step feels supported, not overwhelming.

Emily Wilson is a Business Development Advisor with Home Instead, supporting families and referral partners across South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, and surrounding Northern Indiana communities. She works closely with hospitals, social workers, and families to help navigate care decisions during critical moments such as hospital discharges, new diagnoses, or safety concerns at home. Since joining Home Instead in 2017, Emily has played a key role in connecting families to personalized in-home care solutions. She holds a degree in Health and Human Science and has led initiatives to expand access to care through Medicaid navigation and managed care partnerships. Emily also helps families better understand long-term care insurance and coverage options. Her work is deeply personal, shaped by helping her own grandparents age in place with dignity. She understands how overwhelming these decisions can feel and focuses on making the process clearer and more manageable. Emily is also involved in the community through Alzheimer’s advocacy and local outreach efforts. She is known for being a steady, trusted resource for families when they need guidance most.

Cynthia Burgess is a Client Care Advisor with Home Instead, supporting families across Northern Indiana with compassionate, relationship-centered care planning. She brings over 14 years of experience in healthcare, including caregiving, leadership, and training as a CPR and First Aid instructor. Cynthia works closely with families to understand their needs and help create care plans that support safety and independence at home. She is passionate about equipping caregivers with the skills and confidence needed to provide high-quality care. Her approach is centered on dignity, respect, and treating every client as an individual. Cynthia also has experience in training and mentorship, helping strengthen the overall care team. She is committed to ensuring clients feel comfortable and supported in their daily routines. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and being outdoors. Her dedication to both families and caregivers makes her a trusted resource in the community.

Angel Davidsen is a Client Care Advisor with Home Instead, supporting families across Northern Indiana as they navigate care for aging loved ones. She began her journey as a Care Professional, bringing firsthand caregiving experience into her work today. Angel works closely with families to guide care decisions and coordinate in-home support. Her passion for caregiving is rooted in caring for her own grandmother, ensuring she could remain at home through the end of her life. That experience continues to shape her approach to every family she serves. She is known for treating clients like family, with warmth, patience, and respect. Angel has also spent time volunteering in nursing homes, building meaningful connections with older adults. As a mother of five, with three children working in healthcare, she takes pride in both her family and her work. She is dedicated to helping clients feel supported, understood, and never alone.

Shantel is a Client Care Advisor with Home Instead, supporting families across South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, and surrounding Northern Indiana communities. She works closely with clients and families to help coordinate care and ensure each individual feels supported at home. Shantel joined Home Instead in November 2024 after working full-time as a CNA in a facility setting. She brings hands-on experience and a strong understanding of daily care needs into her role. She spent her first year as a Care Professional, building meaningful relationships with clients and gaining insight into in-home care. That experience now helps her support families in a more comprehensive way. Shantel is passionate about helping older adults remain happy, healthy, and safe in the comfort of their own homes. She focuses on consistency, communication, and making sure clients feel cared for each day. Her approach is grounded in compassion, reliability, and respect. She is dedicated to helping families feel confident in the care their loved ones receive.

Justin Hammen is the Billing and Payroll Manager at Home Instead, supporting clients and families across South Bend, Mishawaka, and Northern Indiana. He oversees billing and payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and consistency across the organization. Justin plays a key role in helping families understand the financial side of care, answering questions and providing clarity when it matters most. His work helps reduce stress for families navigating care decisions. He is known for his approachable personality and willingness to help both clients and team members. Since joining Home Instead in 2020, he has become a dependable part of the team’s daily operations. His attention to detail helps ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time outdoors fishing and hunting with his family. He also enjoys cooking and using his smoker to prepare meals at home.

Nick Thomas is the Care Pro Engagement Coordinator at Home Instead, supporting caregivers across Northern Indiana. He focuses on building strong relationships with Care Professionals and ensuring they feel supported in their roles. Nick brings a background in leadership, operations, and wellness to his work. He understands that quality care starts with a supported and engaged team. As a father of four daughters, he brings a strong sense of family and responsibility into everything he does. Nick works to create a positive environment where caregivers feel valued and prepared. He is passionate about helping others live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors and attending his daughters’ activities. His approach is grounded in empathy, balance, and strong community values.

Sandi Knight is an Engagement Coordinator at Home Instead, supporting caregiver training and team development across Northern Indiana. She brings a background in healthcare and safety leadership, along with hands-on caregiving experience. Sandi plays an important role in helping Care Professionals feel confident and prepared in their work. She supports training efforts and helps maintain a strong, positive team culture. Her approach focuses on both skill development and emotional support. Sandi is passionate about improving the experience for both caregivers and clients. She is known for her attention to detail and commitment to quality care. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting jewelry and spending time with her pets. She brings creativity, energy, and dedication into everything she does.

Melisa Fulkerson is the Scheduling Manager at Home Instead, overseeing care schedules for clients across Northern Indiana. She ensures clients receive consistent, reliable care by coordinating schedules and caregiver assignments. Melisa brings experience from working directly with both clients and caregivers. This allows her to make thoughtful matches that support long-term success. She is known for her problem-solving skills and ability to adapt quickly. Her work helps maintain stability and continuity in the home. Melisa is passionate about creating positive experiences for both clients and Care Professionals. She focuses on communication, trust, and consistency. Her leadership plays a key role in the daily success of the care team.

Cheryl is a dedicated scheduler at Home Instead, helping coordinate care for families across Northern Indiana. With a background working in doctors’ offices, she brings valuable healthcare experience and a strong understanding of how to support both clients and caregivers with clear, reliable communication. As a mom of three and grandmother to four, Cheryl understands firsthand how important it is to have dependable, compassionate care for the people you love. She approaches her role with patience, organization, and a genuine commitment to making sure every client receives the right support at the right time. At home, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, and she brings that same sense of care and connection into everything she does at Home Instead.

Sarah Kruk is a Service Coordinator at Home Instead, supporting scheduling and care coordination across Northern Indiana. She helps ensure each client receives the right care at the right time. Sarah works closely with families and caregivers to maintain consistency and reliability. She is known for her attention to detail and strong communication skills. Her work helps keep care plans running smoothly. Sarah takes a thoughtful and compassionate approach to problem-solving. She understands the importance of dependable care for families. Her role supports both clients and caregivers in their daily needs. She is a valued part of the team’s ability to deliver high-quality care.

Amber is a Service Coordinator with Home Instead, supporting clients and families across South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, and surrounding Northern Indiana communities. She plays a key role in scheduling and coordinating care to ensure each client receives consistent and reliable support at home. Amber brings over 10 years of experience in scheduling and patient advocacy, giving her a strong foundation in both organization and communication. She works closely with clients, families, and Care Professionals to help ensure care plans are carried out smoothly. Amber takes pride in being a dependable bridge between caregivers and clients, helping maintain continuity and quality of care. Her attention to detail helps prevent gaps in care and supports a stable, positive experience for everyone involved. She is committed to service excellence and making sure each client feels supported and valued. Amber understands how important reliable care is for families navigating the aging journey. Outside of work, family is very important to her, and she enjoys spending time camping and being outdoors. She brings consistency, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility into her role each day.

April Merritt is the Office Coordinator at Home Instead in Mishawaka, Indiana, where she supports daily operations and helps ensure care runs smoothly for clients and Care Professionals. She began her journey with Home Instead in 2013 as a Care Professional, bringing firsthand caregiving experience into her current role. April plays a central role in communication, scheduling support, and problem-solving across the office. She helps maintain consistency and stability in the home by ensuring care plans are carried out effectively. Families and Care Pros rely on her as a familiar and dependable point of contact. Her calm, responsive approach helps address concerns quickly and thoughtfully. Outside of work, April is also a caregiver for her mother, giving her a personal understanding of the realities families face. She and her husband are active in their local community and church. April’s work reflects what matters most in home care—connection, reliability, and care that feels truly personal.