Meet Our Team

Todd and Lizzie O’Neill purchased the Home Instead franchise in January 2015. The O’Neill’s have three daughters who were all born in Bremerton where Todd worked in a local family furniture business for ten years post college. In 1996 the O’Neill’s felt led to pursue work with a non-profit youth outreach ministry, Young Life. After 19 years with Young Life in Enumclaw and Bellevue Washington, the O’Neill’s explored new business opportunities and found Home Instead. Serving people is very rewarding and they have built a great team at Home Instead. You will often hear Todd say, “our clients come first!” And they do. Todd and Lizzie also enjoy time with their four grandsons.

Tami comes to Home Instead from Bellingham, Washington. She has three wonderful children and six amazing grandchildren. She worked at St. Joseph’s Medical Center for 16 years as a CNA/Office Coordinator. Tami moved to Sequim, Washington in 2014 where she spent her time helping a family member. She worked for the Sequim Home Instead Office for two years as a CNA before relocating to Port Orchard and transferring to the Bremerton Home Instead Office as the Office Coordinator. Tami loves serving the elderly and has been involved in this line of work for 25 years.

Lorena Hernandez is a Registered Nurse who worked full time at Kitsap Mental Health for six years. With a heart to serve others, Lorena came to Home Instead as a part-time Care Professional to provide care to another vulnerable population in our community. In accepting the position as our franchise office Training Coordinator in 2018, she strives to teach new and experienced Care Professionals the importance of providing a caring and safe environment for our clients. Lorena provides an empathetic heart and listening ear to our staff. She teaches with the desire to spread love for our older generation through our Care Professional.

Heidi Gafford is a Pacific Northwest native who loves everything about it, even the rain. She recently returned to the work force after 15 years of staying home to raise her sons. Prior to that she worked in a variety of accounting roles. Heidi joined the Home Instead team, in October 2021. She enjoys her role as finance director as well as being able to interact with the elderly and their families to ensure they are getting the best service possible. When not at work or running her boys all over town, she enjoys long walks and painting.

Teresa is a Navy wife and mother of two very active boys. She spent 13 years in healthcare as a CNA then Medical Assistant before going back to school for her BA and then MBA in Human Resources. Teresa has always held a special place in her heart for those in need and, by extension, for those individuals who provide care and fulfill that need. When not at work she loves to spend time with her family, enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and canoeing to name just a few. On that rare occasion that life slows down you can find her reading or gardening. Teresa is thrilled to be part of the Home Instead Team!

Lisa has been our main weekend on-call backup for several years now. The office may close at five, but we know our job doesn't stop there. Having a true 24/7 accessibility is one of the things that sets us apart.

"Got an issue at 10 pm? Don't hesitate to call. I started as a caregiver here at Home Instead and I know that our client's needs don't occur neatly between 9 and 5. So, please call. You'll always find a real voice here on the other end"

We know it's a comfort to our clients, and also to their families that we are the eyes and ears, always on watch, when they can't be. Lisa is the reason we can confidently say, "Call us anytime!"