Our Staff at BrightStar Care® St. Croix Valley

How many years that you’ve been in your career? I opened our St Croix Valley office in 2011. I am originally an Architect but was called to serve in this capacity after experiencing the benefits of Home Care with my mother in law Nancy. She was able to live out the last 2-1/2 years of her life in her home surrounded by her family, grandchildren and puppies. It was thanks to her journey that my husband and I felt that we could make a positive difference in the lives of the families that we serve and our employees. 

What you like most about working for BrightStar? I feel truly blessed. I work with the most amazing people. I am an only kid and I only have one daughter so I have a small family, but thanks to employees and clients, I really feel like I have a huge family and it gives me the opportunity to make a positive difference when it can be some of their darkest times. 

The best piece of advice I've ever been given is: Crisis is Equal to Opportunity. I know that it’s hard to navigate adversity but life is about change. The best way to try and find comfort is to not give up on your dreams and find a way to leverage the challenges that you face and figure out how to make it a positive. Some of the worst things that have happened to me have actually turned out to be huge blessings. 

If I weren't so good at my job, I'd probably be a Horse Trainer and an Artist. I rekindled my passion for horses by taking up Reining and two Quarter Horses and I train with the wonderful team at Brian Welman’s Training Stable in River Falls Wisconsin. 

Cats or dogs? Both, I would never be able to choose between my Shiba Inu, Kokomo or Kitty, whom we adopted from our neighbors when they moved to Florida. 

If I were a superhero, my superpower would be Innovation. I love making things and solving problems. When I retire, I am going to need a huge sewing, art and woodworking studio…I just love creating things. 

When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a Lawyer. I used to sit in the courtrooms in the mornings when my mom brought me to work while I was waiting for the stores to open. I was fascinated by the court cases. The only issue was that I have dyslexia and my spelling was horrible. This was way before spell check and computers. I went the Architecture route because I could draw, and present my ideas easily and luckily math and science wasn’t an issue. See, Crisis is equal to Opportunity…So, don’t let a setback keep you from chasing dreams. Who knows, maybe when I retire, I might just go after that Law Degree!

 When did you join the BrightStar Team? September 2013 

Healthcare Experience? I started working in healthcare in 1993 then became a Registered Nurse in 1999.

Best part of your job? I genuinely love to help people. I have great empathy for people in varying life situations, and love to help figure out ways to make life easier for them. Working at BrightStar Care allows me to come together with a team of nurses, caregivers and staff members all working toward a common goal for our clients. 

Favorite place you've been? US Virgin Islands, St John, in particular, the people are very kind, the beaches have the most gorgeous white sand. The views are breathtaking. It is mostly National Parks with unlimited hiking and sights.

What did you want to be when you were 5? A Veterinarian, I grew up on a farm and admired our local veterinarian and how hard she worked and all she did for our animals.

When did you join the BrightStar Team? September 2025 Healthcare experience? Worked as a CNA in high school and college, then graduated nursing school from Winona State University in 2023. Worked in the emergency department for 2 and ½ years.

Best part of my job? Getting to make meaningful relationships with clients.

What's your favorite way to unwind after a busy day? My favorite way to unwind after a busy day is to get dinner with some friends OR sit on my couch watching reality TV and knitting.

What do you enjoy most about working with our clients? Getting to use my knowledge and training as a nurse to assist clients with their health-related needs, but also being able to make them smile or laugh while building a one-on-one relationship with each client.

When did you join the BrightStar Team? October 2023

Healthcare Experience? I spent 7 years in mental health units then transitioned into administrative roles in radiology and senior living.

Best part of your job? Developing close connections with our team and helping all employees succeed in their roles.

What's your favorite way to unwind after a busy day? Spending time with my family and reading a good book!

Who or what inspires you in your work?My grandparents inspired me to go into this field. I understand firsthand what families go through when trying to find the right care for a loved one

When did you join the BrightStar Team?  June 2015

Healthcare Experience?  20+ years; CNA, Ophthalmologist Tech, and Certified Alzheimer’s/Dementia Training specialist

Best part of your job?  Being able to reach out and help as many people as I can.

What's one thing you want clients/families to know about you?  I have compassion and empathy for every person I encounter as if they were a loved one of my own.

What's a small thing that always makes you smile?  Seeing others smile!

When did you join the BrightStar Team? September 2023

Healthcare Experience? I spent 4 years working as a CNA through collage then transitioned into working with BrightStar Care.

Best part of your job? The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in our clients lives.

What's your karaoke song? Mr. Brightside

Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! I have a black lab named Lambeau! He’s almost 3 and full of energy!

When did you join the BrightStar Team? July 2016

Healthcare Experience? I’ve worked in healthcare since July 2015.

Best part of your job? The best part of my job is recruiting and hiring the amazing staff we have to care for our clients. I enjoy getting to know and working with our staff through the hiring process. We have a wonderful team!

Best piece of advice you've received? Everything in life is temporary, this reminds you that good times and difficult times will pass, giving you perspective and patience in every situation.

What superpower would you like to have? Healing power, eliminating pain and suffering would be incredible!!

When did you join the BrightStar Team? April 2022

Healthcare Experience? 20 years

Best part of your job? Making people smile

What’s something on your bucket list? Go to Alaska

Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Lennon Yorkie Terrier mix loves to play tug a war and chew the furniture

When did you join the BrightStar Team? August 2024

Best part of your job? Everyone always coming together and helping each other out!

Best Piece of advice that you've ever received? If you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start, do the first thing and once that's done move on to the next don't think about everything all at once

What would you be in another life? Why? A Tiger, they're majestic, elegant and no one messes with you cause you know who you are and you ain't got time for no nonsense

What did you want to be when you were 5? I wanted to own my own business called LeeLee's Bumpus A Rumpus, it was going to be a childs daycare on one side and I was going to make children's clothes and sell them on the side of the building, so mothers could drop their kids off and go shopping

What superpower would you like to have? Why? Invisibility, cause then I can see what people really do

Cats or dogs? Why? Cats, they're chill and cuddle when they want to and listen when they want to and don't care about anything otherwise. If they don't wanna do it they ain't gonna

What pasta noodle would you be? Why Tortellini, who can say no to cheese stuffed pasta!

When did you join the BrightStar Team? May 2019                                         

Healthcare Experience? I’ve been an LPN since May 1999

Best part of your job?
When I see that I can make a difference is someone's life or just their day by helping them.

What would I be in another life? Why?
I would like to be reborn as the wind in my next life. Being the wind, I can be free and go anywhere I please to be. I only have to worry about me.

Best piece of advice you've received?
My mother-in-law, she told me that hard work will never kill you, only illness will. Don't be afraid to work too hard.

If I won the lottery, what would you spend it on?
First and foremost, buy me a new home and car.  After that, I want to buy my mom and sister a house too to call their own. After all that, I want to buy many laundry mats and watch my money grow. (Wishful thinking)

When did you join the BrightStar Team? October 2017

Healthcare Experience? Became an RN in March of 1979

Best part of your job?The flexibility BrightStar Care offers

In another life I would be?I’m pretty sure I was a Mermaid

Best piece of advice you've received?Call people by their first name and be interested in them

What did you want to be when you were 5?I was pretty sure that I was going to be a ballerina when I grew up…but the I also highly considered being a Nun and a Scullery Maid

When did you join the BrightStar Team? July 2023

Healthcare Experience? I’ve been working in Healthcare since 2017

Best part of your job? Helping our clients reach their goals

What's your favorite way to unwind after a busy day? Playing basketball or working out.

Who's someone who has had a big influence on your life? My parents have deeply shaped who I am today

When did you join the BrightStar Team?  November 2024

Healthcare Experience?  Started working in healthcare in 2019

Best part of your job?  Being able to witness clients transformation and progress throughout their course of physical therapy.

What did you want to be when you were 5?  As an avid Vikings fan, I had a dream of being the Minnesota Vikings quarterback.

Cats or dogs? Why?  Dogs - they’re loyal and show unconditional love

What pasta noodle would you be? Why?  Ravioli - I like to think that I am filled with good stuff on the inside.

When did you join the BrightStar Team? October 2021

Healthcare Experience? Worked as an Occupational Therapist since 1997.

Best part of your job? The opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives by helping them regain independence and engage in activities that matter most to them.

What would you be in another life? Rockstar

If you won the lottery, what would you spend it on? Taco Night for everyone!

Cats or dogs? Why? Dogs, no explanation needed.

What superpower would you like to have? Super Speed

What pasta noodle would you be? Why? Cavatappi because they are never boring, always full of energy and creativity.

When did you join the BrightStar Team?  October 2024

Healthcare Experience?  20 years

Best part of your job?  Laughs with my co-workers

What drew you to a career in healthcare?  Taking care of my parents as they aged.

What's your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?  I enjoy spending time with my dog going for a long walks.