Teresa Ellis

Office Manager

teresaellis@comfortkeepersnwmi.com

“It feels good that every day we are helping so many seniors in our communities and that the work we all do makes a difference.”

Teresa has been with Comfort Keepers since 2012. Previously, she worked in the staffing industry and is able to use those same skills at Comfort Keepers, in a position she finds very fulfilling. Teresa works with clients to make sure all of their needs are met and they have a consistent person to call. Additionally, she ensures that the caregivers have the tools to implement their clients’ plan-of-care. She handles scheduling issues, as well. She has a degree from Northwestern Michigan College and has lived in Northern Michigan since 1999. Teresa and her son Christian love it here, but also enjoys visiting family in Florida. 

Bethany Korbel

Operations Manager

bethanykorbel@comfortkeepersnwmi.com

“I am committed to cultivating and leveraging my innate nurturing quality, enriching the lives of those around me, promoting growth and well-being across both personal and professional spheres.”

Bethany has been an integral part of Comfort Keepers since 2007, driven by her passion to make a positive impact in the community. With a background in education, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as Operations Manager, ensuring that both clients and staff receive top-notch care and support. Outside of work, Bethany resides in Traverse City with her husband Michael. She finds fulfillment in volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters, cherishing moments with her sheepadoodle, Cali, and enjoying quality time with her two sons. Bethany's interests include gardening, kayaking, snowshoeing, boating, and immersing herself in the vibrant festival scene.

Janice Rehkopf

Director of Client Services

janicerehkopf@comfortkeepersnwmi.com

“I can go home every night and say that I changed the world; one senior and one family at a time.”

Janice has been with Comfort Keepers since 2005. She conducts the initial in-home assessments to assist our clients and families develop an ongoing plan to increase quality of life and independence. She also works with other agencies and medical providers to provide ongoing client, family, and caregiver support, as care evolves.  Janice has thirty years of experience serving seniors, specializing in memory care, end-of-life care and coordination of care. Originally Janice took the job with Comfort Keepers because when she met Leslie she could feel the passion she had for serving seniors. Being a mom to her daughter is her greatest joy. She also likes playing chess and poker, but loves being on or in the water, four-wheeling, camping and nature walks.

Melanie Martell

Quality Care Manager

MelanieMartell@comfortkeepersnwmi.com

“I am very passionate in overseeing the highest level of quality care that our seniors deserve.”

Melanie brings over 18 years of dedicated experience to her role, specializing in assisting seniors and coordinating comprehensive care for them and their families. Actively involved in the Bay Area Senior Advocates, she has forged strong community ties and collaborates with various organizations supporting seniors. Her passion for aiding families is deeply rooted, and she empathetically navigates them through the complexities of the healthcare system.

In her capacity as Quality Care Manager, Melanie conducts in-depth home care assessments, updates care plans, and serves as a mentor, guiding others to provide compassionate and high-quality care, enriching the overall support network for seniors and their families.  Beyond her professional pursuits, Melanie finds joy in her role as a mother to two wonderful daughters. Her profound appreciation for family, nature, and music fuels her vibrant spirit.

Adrienne Hope

Human Resources Manager (All territories)

adriennehope@comfortkeepersnwmi.com

Adrienne has been with Comfort Keepers since 2021, and she brings her knowledge and experience from the health care administration field, marketing coordination, and her years as an educator. As the Human Resources Manager, Adrienne focuses on bringing great new caregivers onto the team, building connections with new and long-standing Comfort Keepers staff, developing continuing education plans, and ensuring our team continues to meet the highest standards of quality caregivers. In her personal time, she immerses herself in fiction books and in the enjoyment of an eclectic range of music. Adriene has called the northern Michigan area home for over a decade and is in love with the forests of the Traverse City area. She shares her home and heart with her family and one very large black cat who won everyone’s affection.

Linda Mack, LPN

Training Specialist

“I really enjoy working with the senior population. My goal each day is to make someone smile!”

Linda has been with Comfort Keepers since August 2014. In addition to nursing, Linda’s role focuses on hands on training with our caregivers. Linda has a vast amount of experience in the medical field, being an active LPN since 1972; she has worked in a hospital setting in a variety of departments and served as an admissions coordinator at skilled nursing facilities.  When she is not helping clients and caregivers she is busy with her three kids, seven grandchildren, two horses, two dogs and one cat! She loves to be in the woods horseback riding and hunting with her son.      

Diana Colbath

Coach

Diana has been with Comfort Keepers since 2008. She took her original Nurse’s Aide training at the age of 17 while still in high school. She worked weekends until she graduated, then full time after that. She dedicated her career to supporting others and expanding her skills and knowledge. Diana enjoys making a difference in people’s lives and that she can help our seniors stay home and be safe and give their loved ones/families peace of mind. She loves the smiles and hugs when she walks through her client’s doors. Diana’s role as a coach for caregivers brings great satisfaction, she loves knowing that she is helping our caregivers to be the best that they can be. Diana is excellent at teaching them new ways to do their jobs and enjoys watching our caregivers grow. 

Samantha Wagner

Lead On Call Scheduler

When Sam was young, she helped her grandma care for her great-grandma and thoroughly enjoyed being with her. This family connection was the beginning of her career in senior services. Over her career, Sam has worked in various positions serving seniors in home health care and at long-term care facilities as a CNA, staffing coordinator, central supply manager. She now provides support to the Comfort Keepers caregivers during evenings and weekends and enjoys the positive impact she has on them and their clients. Sam is a mother of three and enjoys being outdoors and doing crafts. Her favorite way to spend time is to be with her family.

Tonya Fegan

Northern Territory Manager (Northern Territory)

tonyafegan@comfortkeepersnwmi.com

Tonya Fegan joined Comfort Keepers in 2019, bringing with her a passion for seniors and their families, assisting in enhancing their lives and helping them stay as independent for as long as possible. Tonya worked previously in accounting and a Marketing Director for a senior living organization and has been involved with many senior advocacy groups across her career. 

Tonya served on the Mackinaw City Chamber Board of Directors for 5 years, was secretary for The Mackinaw City Historical Society, and was active with the Mackinaw Women’s Club. She now volunteers as an ambassador for the Petoskey Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the honor of being Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year in 2022. Tonya co-chairs the Walk to End Alzheimer’s committee, and chairs ACES (Advocates for Charlevoix Emmet County Seniors) meetings. Tonya lives in Indian River where she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to be on her boat, kayaking, snowshoeing, and many other outdoor activities. 

Allison Sharp

Scheduler

Allison joined Comfort Keepers in January 2022. Previously, Allison worked in sales and marketing at a retirement community in Holland, MI for 11 years. As the scheduler for the northern territory, Allison works to ensure that clients are getting their visits staffed with caregivers they love, that caregivers are getting the hours that they are looking for with a great client match, and overall, to create consistency for both clients and caregivers.

Allison lives in Indian River with her husband, Taylor, and their golden retriever, Stanley. In her spare time, she enjoys being with family & friends. Some of her hobbies include boating, cross country skiing, traveling, and reading.

Jennifer Biggs, RN

Lead Nurse

Jenniferbiggs@comfortkeepersnwmi.com

Jennifer joined the Comfort Keeper’s Team in 2022.  She started working in healthcare in 2003 and became a nurse in 2005 while living in Colorado, working in various hospital environments, but primarily in rehabilitation and critical care.  Jennifer has loved the experience of providing high quality care in the home for the Comfort Keeper seniors and their families.  Jennifer lives in Leelanau Country with her husband Charlie.  In her free time, Jennifer loves to garden and cook for her large extended family and group of friends.  She also loves boating and to swim in our beautiful lakes as often as possible.

Mary Maison

Mary joined Comfort Keepers in 2022 and found a place where her skills and talents could make a positive difference in the lives of others. An Air Force veteran with years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Mary brought her lifelong passion for service with her to Comfort Keepers. When she isn't answering phones or greeting clients and care team members, Mary assists with scheduling, billing/payroll, and project coordination. She is passionate about ensuring clients receive outstanding support and care. Mary is a Traverse City native. During her personal time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing board games with her four sons, and doting on her granddaughter.

Danielle Letourneau

Talent Development Specialist

DanielleClayton@comfortkeepersnwmi.com

Danielle has been with Comfort Keepers since 2023. She previously worked for many years in education in a variety of roles. She has a degree in education and a certification in educational leadership. Danielle is passionate about the senior community and loves that her career is centered around making a difference in their lives.   

Danielle has lived in Traverse City since 2019 and enjoys spending quality time with her two daughters, watching them fulfill their passions. She also loves running, spending time on the water and horseback riding.

Patrick Liebler

Scheduler

Patrick was born and raised in the Traverse City area and absolutely loves calling this place home. He went to school for Aviation and Business and maintains his pilot license. Patrick worked as a Home Health scheduler previously and spent eleven years in Manufacturing as a Business Analyst. Patrick felt he had a calling to return to the home health care field and scheduling again. He joined the Comfort Keepers team in early 2024 and his passion for this role is evident as he’s connected clients with their amazing care team members. 

Katie Hart

Care Coordinator

Katie joined the Comfort Keepers team in 2021 after twelve years in retail management. She combined her passion for connecting with people and providing excellent customer service with her skills of coordination and scheduling for multiple people and naturally stepped into the Scheduler position. Katie grew up in a family who is dedicated to health care, and she always knew she wanted to have a role that focused on helping others. Katie moved into the Care Coordinator position and now works with clients and their care teams, providing support and building relationships. Katie lives in Northern Michigan with her two wonderful kids and enjoys spending time with them and hiking, biking, and traveling. 

Jessica Fettig

Receptionist

Jessica Fettig was born and raised in Petoskey. She has a background in Academic Intervention and Early Education.  She and her husband feel very fortunate to be able to raise their two children in such a beautiful area.  In the summer, Jessica enjoys spending time outdoors gardening and soaking up the sun.  In the winter months, she can be found indoors, avoiding the cold.  Jessica has always had a passion for helping others and making positive connections with people.  She joined the Comfort Keepers team early in 2024 as the receptionist in the Petoskey office and found a wonderful alignment of her skills, experience, and values.

Katie Goodknecht

On Call Scheduler

Katie joined the Comfort Keepers team in February of 2024 and provides after hours support to other Comfort Keepers, our clients, and their families. Katie previously worked in contracting and customer service, she has been self-employed and has worked in administrative leadership. She loves being able to combine her skills and talents with her passion for making a difference in the lives of others. In her personal time, she enjoys reading, music, painting or sketching, and all the messy joys of life with a busy family.