Kym Angela Santiago is a passionate Franchise Owner whose journey in the home care industry is a true reflection of dedication, faith, and heart for serving others. Her career began as an Administrative Assistant for the Hamilton office, where she quickly discovered her love for the industry and the meaningful impact it has on families and communities. Through hard work, determination, and a commitment to excellence, Kym advanced into the role of General Manager for the Brantford office, where she continued to grow as a leader before ultimately deciding to pursue her dream of business ownership. Kym began her ownership journey by opening Home Instead Grimsby completely from the ground up—with no clients and no Care Professionals. Through her passion, perseverance, and strong leadership, she successfully grew the business exponentially within a short period of time. Today, in addition to owning Home Instead Grimsby, Kym also owns Home Instead Barrie, continuing her mission to expand quality care and support to more families in the community. Driven by genuine passion, Kym truly loves what she does. She values the relationships she builds with clients and Care Professionals and takes pride in the difference their services make in the lives of seniors and families every day. For Kym, this work is more than a business—it is a calling rooted in compassion, service, and community impact. Her inspiration is deeply personal. Kym grew up as a grandmother’s girl, sharing a close bond that shaped her heart for serving seniors. She often shares that if you asked her grandmother who her favorite grandchild is, she would proudly say Kym’s name without hesitation. That special connection is why this work is so meaningful to her. Even though her grandmother lives thousands of miles away, serving seniors in the community makes Kym feel close to her. Her grandmother remains her biggest “why”—the reason behind her passion and purpose. Kym believes that her journey is a testament to how great God’s plans are—often bigger than our own. She sees herself as an instrument of His greatness and glory, committed to giving back by working tirelessly to help as many lives as possible, one life at a time. Through faith, perseverance, and compassion, Kym continues to lead with purpose, creating meaningful change in the lives of those she serves every day.

Mae Vie Anne Santiago began her journey with Home Instead as a volunteer at company events, where she quickly developed a deep appreciation for the organization’s mission and the meaningful impact of supporting seniors in the community. This passion is especially close to her heart, as her own grandmother lives in the Philippines, giving her a personal understanding of the importance of compassionate and reliable care. Mae holds a background in accounting and payroll administration. In 2014, she worked with one of Canada’s leading propane distributors, where she developed a standard operating procedure for accounts payable to support cross-training and improve team efficiency. She continued to grow her expertise and, in 2022, earned her Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation. Mae later joined one of the world’s largest payroll service providers, where she managed accounts for multi-million-dollar companies. In this role, she consistently adapted to evolving systems and processes while meeting tight deadlines and maintaining high client satisfaction. Recognized for her leadership and dedication, she was selected to participate in a mentorship program, where she supported and empowered new hires as they built confidence and success in their roles. Through her professional journey, Mae has developed a strong ability to build meaningful relationships and deliver exceptional, client-focused service. After volunteering at multiple Home Instead events, she realized that her true passion lies in making a positive difference in the lives of seniors. Mae is excited to officially join the organization and bring her skills, compassion, and commitment to enhancing the care and support provided to the senior community.

Ann Donnelly is a dedicated and compassionate General Manager who has played a vital role in the growth and success of the company. Having been with Home Instead Barrie for many years, her patience, experience, and deep knowledge have significantly contributed to the organization’s continued development and strong reputation. Deeply passionate about her work, Ann brings a people-first approach to leadership, allowing her to connect meaningfully with both staff and CarePros. Her empathy and understanding create a supportive environment where teams feel valued and empowered. She is highly skilled in managing people and takes great pride in delivering exceptional care to clients. Ann’s passion for senior care and her genuine desire to help others are at the heart of everything she does. She has also built strong connections within the Barrie community, further strengthening the company’s presence and impact. Through her leadership, Ann continues to inspire her team while ensuring the highest standard of care for those they serve.

Jessica recently joined the team as our Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), bringing with her a strong foundation in home care and a deep commitment to supporting others. She has been part of the Home Instead family since 2022, where she began her journey as a Personal Support Worker (PSW), gaining valuable hands-on experience and building meaningful connections with clients. With over five years of experience in home care as a PSW, Jessica has developed a compassionate, client-centered approach to care. Her recent achievement of obtaining her RPN license reflects her dedication to continuous growth and her passion for providing the highest quality of care. Jessica is known for her kind and empathetic nature, always striving to make a positive difference in the lives of those she supports. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, as well as with her friends and family, cherishing the relationships that matter most to her.

Lexi joined the Home Instead team as a Business Development Advisor, bringing with her a genuine passion for caring for others and building meaningful relationships. Prior to this role, she worked as a CarePro, where she gained valuable firsthand experience supporting seniors and making a positive impact in their daily lives. With both personal and professional experience in senior care, Lexi has developed a deep appreciation for the importance of connection, trust, and compassion. She holds the relationships she has built very close to her heart and is committed to ensuring seniors and their families feel supported every step of the way. In her role, Lexi combines her care experience with her ability to connect with others, helping to grow and strengthen the community Home Instead serves. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her husky, listening to music, and spending quality time with family and friends.

My name is Melissa, and I have been a Personal Support Worker for seven years. My passion for healthcare began at a young age. While I was in high school, I completed a co‑op placement in a long-term care home, where I supported seniors with daily activities and engagement throughout the day. That experience helped shape my appreciation for compassionate, person‑centered care. What truly sparked my love for the healthcare community was watching my mom work as a PSW. Seeing her dedication and the difference she made in people’s lives inspired me to want to help others and follow a similar path. Transitioning into an office position is an exciting new chapter for me, and I am grateful to continue supporting the people and teams who make compassionate care possible. While I deeply value my career as a PSW, my greatest joy is being a mom to my beautiful little boy, who inspires me every day to lead with compassion and purpose—both at work and at home.

Shagreen began her journey in healthcare shortly after the pandemic, when she completed her PSW certification and started working on the front lines of care. During this time, she discovered a genuine passion for helping others and being present for people when they need support the most. Building meaningful connections and making a positive difference in someone’s day quickly became the most rewarding part of her work. She later transitioned into the role of Scheduling Coordinator, where she continues to make an impact behind the scenes. Shagreen is highly organized and enjoys problem-solving, ensuring that schedules run smoothly for both clients and staff. Her ability to balance efficiency with compassion allows her to support quality care every day. Shagreen takes pride in contributing to a team that makes a difference, and she finds great fulfillment in knowing her work helps both caregivers and clients feel supported and valued.

After 16 wonderful years of caring for clients as a Personal Support Worker (PSW), Carole joined the Home Instead team as a Client Care Coordinator. Her extensive experience on the front lines of care has given her a deep understanding of what truly matters—recognizing that it’s often the small, thoughtful details that help individuals feel seen, valued, and supported. Carole brings compassion, insight, and dedication into her new role, where she now helps coordinate care plans and support both clients and the care team behind the scenes. Her transition reflects her continued commitment to enhancing the quality of care and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Outside of work, Carole enjoys spending time in the sunshine with her four children and two beautiful grandchildren, or exploring in search of hidden treasures—embracing the moments that bring her joy and connection.