Meet Our Team

Renate joined the Home Instead Gorham team in 2016 as a Home Care Consultant. She chose Home Instead because of its commitment to helping aging adults thrive at home, as well as its focus on advocacy and community service. A year later she took on the role of General Manager, overseeing the day-to-day running of the office, managing the staff, and guiding growth. Now, in 2024, Renate is thrilled to take on ownership and to work with all the fabulous Care Pros and office staff to provide optimal care for older adults in Cumberland County. In addition, Renate co-chairs the PACES group and is a member of various committees, including the Greater Portland Walk to End ALZ walk committee. Renate lives in Gorham with her two children. In her spare time, she enjoys music and the outdoors and takes every opportunity she can to travel.

Kathy spent over 30 years serving educational institutions before joining Home Instead in 2017. Kathy was inspired to shift her professional focus from serving youth to helping enhance the lives of older adults by her own parents' determination to live and thrive in place. As Home Care Consultant, Kathy cultivates and strengthens relationships with referral providers and the community. She is responsible for seeking new opportunities for Home Instead to be of service and manages various events including community education workshops. Kathy lives in Portland with her husband and daughter. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, long walks with her dog, jewelry making, and sailing.

Autumn first joined Home Instead in 2016 as a Care Professional and a short time later became our Administrative Assistant. It was not long after that she moved into her current role of Service Coordinator. In this position, Autumn is responsible for building the Care Pro teams and creating schedules for all new clients. She works with the rest of the staff to make the best Client/Care Pro matches possible and to manage the last-minute changes, cancellations, and additions to client and Care Pro schedules. Autumn loves her interactions with clients, families, and Care Professionals. In her free time, she enjoys photography, going to concerts, and spending time with her family. She also loves the New England Patriots, hunting for sea glass, and her dog Brandy.

Susan knew she wanted to be a nurse from the time she was five years old. Her Grandmother would frequently take her to the local nursing home where she enjoyed talking and sharing with the residents. This is when her passion for caregiving and nursing began. This is also where her love for Big Band music and 40’s and 50’s movies started, which she still adores to this day. Susan’s nursing career spans over 20 years. She went to nursing school in Virginia and lived down South for 22 years, but missing her New England roots, she moved back to Maine in 2014 and appreciates living closer to family and friends. Susan is delighted to be teaching and sharing her knowledge and experiences. As Home Instead’s Nurse Trainer/Consultant, it’s her goal for our Care Professionals to feel confident and supported. 

Bethany is a certified medical assistant and has been in the healthcare field for more than 18 years. When she is not on call in the evenings and weekends for Home Instead, she is serving patients at Maine Medical Center. Bethany is an excellent troubleshooter and enjoys helping ensure our clients’ needs are being met 24/7. She lives in South Windham and enjoys vacationing in tropical places and spending time with her two children - going to the beach, playing basketball, swimming, and hiking.

Michalyne joined Home Instead in 2019 after 20 years in the insurance industry. Drawing upon her own family history caring for her grandparents, Michalyne is committed to helping people age with dignity and to finding the right level of support and care. In her role as Client Care Coordinator, she oversees the clients’ care, from the initial assessment with the client and family to periodic quality assurance visits to make sure Home Instead remains responsive to the clients' goals and needs. Her favorite part of her role is the privilege of meeting families in their homes and helping them navigate what can be challenging times. Michalyne lives in Gorham. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, crocheting, and relaxing with a good book at the beach.

After attending nursing school, Sue graduated from the MMC School of Surgical Technology and for 30 years worked as a private scrub nurse for oral and maxillofacial surgeons and gastroenterologists. In January 2023, we were lucky enough to have Sue join our team as a Care Pro before accepting her current position in the office. Sue is the first person you’ll see when you walk through our door and usually the first person you’ll hear when you call. If she can’t answer your question, she’ll connect you with the person who can!

A native Vermonter, Sue now lives in Windham on the family farm with her recently retired husband. She has two grown children and enjoys spending time in her garden and at her family’s home on Peaks Island.

Jenn originally joined the Home Instead family as a Care Professional in 2019, transitioning to the role of Administrative Assistant in 2021 and more recently to that of Care Pro Employment Coordinator. She is now responsible for recruiting and hiring new Care Professionals as well as overseeing all aspects of the employee experience for current Care Pros. Jenn likes working for Home Instead because she feels like we take “To us it’s personal” seriously and really care about all our clients, Care Pros, and the community. Jenn lives in Naples where she enjoys spending time with her family, watching her youngest son play basketball, and spending time outside with her family and her dog.

Charlene has always adored working with aging adults: admiring their life stories and wisdom and ensuring their happiness and wellbeing. She has over 23 years of caregiving experience and joined our Home Instead family in 2009 as a Care Professional before transitioning into the Recruitment Coordinator position and more recently to the role of Care Pro Engagement Coordinator. In this newest role, Charlene focuses on providing the best support possible for our Care Pros as they, in turn, support our clients. Additionally, Charlene organizes our yearly ALZ Fair and has helped to make it one of our most successful fundraising efforts in our fight to end Alzheimer’s. Charlene is proud to be a part of Home Instead and the commitment we have to our clients, Care Pros, and the community. Charlene lives in Steep Falls where she raised 5 children with her husband Scott. Charlene loves family time at her farm, gardening, cooking, and spending time at camp.

Brandy joined our team at Home Instead in March of 2022. As the Smile Coordinator, she is responsible for increasing office morale, reducing stress, and making people laugh. In her free time, Brandy enjoys playing outside, walks with her mom, treats, and soaking up all the attention anyone is willing to give her.