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.

Melissa Izzi, an accomplished leader in talent acquisition and management, brings over 25 years of customer service expertise. Joining our company in 2022 as a recruiter, she swiftly earned a reputation for exceeding customer expectations. Melissa's progression to Division Manager underscores her exceptional leadership and team-building prowess, cultivating high-performing teams dedicated to customer satisfaction. In her role, she sets strategic objectives, prioritizing operational efficiency and continual enhancement. Melissa's unwavering commitment to excellence and customer-centric values propel her team to deliver exceptional experiences. She remains a cornerstone within the organization, embodying professionalism, dedication, and innovation, driving forward its success.

With a heart that thrives on shared laughter, meaningful conversations and cherished traditions, Melissa believes that time spent with family is the true essence of happiness.

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."

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.

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.