Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Chicago

Lenora Alabi graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Millikin University in Decatur, IL, with an emphasis on Pharmacy and Business. She joined the management team at BrightStar Care of Chicago and La Grange in 2015, where she excelled and made a significant impact on both customers and staff through her passion for delivering a higher standard of care.

Starting as Branch Manager and advancing to Director of Operations and then to Vice President of Operations/Co-Owner, Lenora consistently demonstrates her commitment to ensuring that the highest quality of care is provided to all clients and their families. She also diligently works to ensure that BrightStar Care's core values are integrated into every activity. "The standards are impeccable, and BrightStar Care is a company that works tirelessly to ensure that customers receive the best care possible."

Cheryl Gordon is the Community Outreach Director of BrightStar Care of Chicago and La Grange. She is passionate about arranging care needed for seniors, veterans and disabled people of all ages by professional and experienced caregivers and nurses, allowing family members peace of mind.  In addition, she connects with clinical and non-clinical personnel of hospitals, long term care facilities, rehabs and independent living communities to promote BrightStar Care’s services. 

Jelena Elenkov is a dedicated Nurse Manager with a strong background in emergency care and a commitment to clinical excellence. In her current role, she conducts comprehensive assessments for new clients, supports staff with clinical concerns, manages scheduling, and oversees clinical emergencies to ensure the highest standard of care.

With a foundation in emergency room nursing, Jelena brings critical thinking, composure, and leadership to every situation. She is a Registered Nurse and holds advanced certifications including ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support), PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support), NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale), and TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course).

Jelena values the company’s collaborative culture, where teamwork is central to solving challenges and delivering exceptional care. Originally from Serbia, she enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures in her free time.

Wendy joined BrightStar Care of Chicago and La Grange to be our Nurse Educator and fulfill her goal of helping others in their quest to sharpen their skills in health care. 

She has been a nurse for over 45 years, with the past 25 years dedicated to her work as a Certified Case Manager. She holds a Master’s degree in Nursing Education and is also a Dementia Specialist. In her role as Nurse Educator, she leads portions of staff orientation and dementia care competency training.

Her passion lies in serving the veteran community. She manages all veteran-related care for the office, organizing pinning ceremonies, accompanying veterans to lunch, and offering personalized support based on their needs and wishes. She has developed strong relationships with both Hines VA and Jesse Brown VA. In addition, she serves as a medical guardian and volunteers with the Honor Flight program, helping ensure veterans receive the recognition and care they deserve.

Sheryl is a valued member of both the Recruiting and Scheduling Team. These roles have significantly contributed to her professional growth. Although distinct, they share a common goal: delivering the best possible experience for both clients and team members. She takes pride in being part of a team that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Outside of work, she is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys freediving, camping, and hiking.

Katie has been in the home care industry for nearly 17 years, spending many of those years working directly in the field. Her passion lies in supporting and empowering staff, helping set them up for success, and watching them grow within the organization, just as she has throughout her own career. She values being part of a supportive, team-oriented environment where collaboration drives meaningful outcomes.

She truly believes that teamwork makes the dream work.