Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Greater Chicagoland, IL

Meet the Greater Chicagoland Office

More than 90% of seniors want to age in their own home with dignity but getting the right type of care can seem daunting. At Senior Helpers Greater Chicagoland we believe that getting the best care for your loved ones should not be complicated. Our office is committed to delivering the best possible in-home care to seniors in the surrounding Chicagoland community.

We take in-home care seriously and make it a priority to provide the highest level of client service possible. Over the years we have built an exceptional team of care professionals, each committed to remaining at the forefront of the in-home care industry through our proprietary ongoing training and education programs.

Our History

Senior Helpers was founded in 2002 by Tony Bonacuse with the help of Peter Ross after their firsthand experience in caring for their respective family members. Tony and Peter identified a need that was not being filled properly by the other companies. They realized that most seniors would prefer to age in their own home rather than move into an unfamiliar institution. Unfortunately, the options available to most seniors were very limited. Most seniors did not have access to well-trained, dependable and affordable in-home care. This was the mission-driven spark that started Senior Helpers.

The first office opened in Baltimore, and quickly developed a reputation for delivering excellent in-home senior care with their well-trained staff of professional caregivers. Based on the success of the Baltimore location, the company began to expand. Over the past 13 years, the Senior Helpers family has grown to include a network of more than 300 locally owned and operated franchises across the United States.

Senior Helpers of Greater Chicagoland, like every other owner, is fully-committed to the original goal of providing dependable and affordable in-home care with well-trained caregivers. Nothing is more important to us than being the best available resource for seniors and families in our community.

We have been lucky to serve hundreds of seniors in our community over the years, and we are committed to continuing to provide uncompromising levels of care to all our families.

Our process

The first step in the process is a complimentary, initial in-home care assessment with a Senior Helpers consultant. This assessment can help you understand the true needs of your loved one, and your options. Together we can discuss their needs, our senior care services and determine what’s best for your entire family.

We will cover:

Your family's specific goals

Your loved one's daily plan design and schedule

Pricing and payment methods

Implementation process

Ongoing communication and follow-up plan

Meet Our Team

Teresa Sigman

Executive Director

Teresa brings more than 30 years of servant leadership experience to Senior Helpers, grounded in a genuine commitment to compassion and service. As an experienced Home Care professional with a strong foundation in leadership, operations, and geriatric services, she has developed comprehensive expertise in home care coordination, home medical equipment, marketing, compliance, and home care reimbursement. Known for her excellent communication and interpersonal skills, Teresa builds trusting relationships with clients, families, and care teams while navigating sensitive or complex situations with empathy and professionalism. Her mission is to ensure quality care, regulatory excellence, and positive outcomes for those she serves. What matters most to Teresa is making a meaningful difference in someone’s life every day—helping seniors live safely, comfortably, and independently in the place they call home.

Outside of work, Teresa and her husband Jerry enjoy attending and producing theater, antiquing, traveling, and spending time with their children—Molly, Emily, and Jonathon—and their grandchildren Nadia, Vivi, Cece, Miles, Max, and Laelyn.

Fauzia Alavi

Director of Care

Fauzia has been with Senior Helpers for 5 years. She is an educated advocate for senior wellness, serving as a leader in both a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. She has built her career on the firm belief that every senior deserves the highest standard of care and dignity. What matters the most is her unwavering dedication to senior care, where she seamlessly integrates administrative precision with a sincere, community-centered heart.

Outside of her professional life, Fauzia is a creative spirit who finds joy in life's finer details. She is a passionate baker and interior decorator who loves transforming spaces and experimenting with new recipes. Whether she is traveling to a new destination, exploring local food spots, or simply spending quality time with her family, she brings the same energy and warmth to her personal life that she does to her advocacy work.

Natasha Steel

Client Care Manager

Natasha began my career in Senior Living 20 years ago as a Caregiver. Through hard work and dedication, she advanced to become an Administrator and later a manager, overseeing caregivers, providing guidance, and conducting training to help them succeed in the healthcare industry. Natasha enjoys working with people of all ages, especially seniors. What matters most to her is helping seniors remain in their homes and maintain independence as they age in place. She believes there's no place like home. She is deeply compassionate and committed to supporting others during their times of need, because there’s nothing like having a genuine helping hand.

Natasha has 3 daughters and is proud to be their mother and to raise respectful, intelligent young women as well as spoiling her two grandchildren. In her spare time Natasha loves to travel and is a self-proclaimed shopaholic.

Sue Iona

Community Care Manager

Sue has had the pleasure of working in the caregiving field for over 37 years. Her career began in the nonprofit sector, where she led a division as Vice President for 32 years, providing residential services to individuals with disabilities. In this role, she developed a deep understanding of how to support the whole person, addressing every aspect of their lives in a way that honors how they choose to live.

This experience transitioned seamlessly into senior services, where she continues to focus on empowering individuals to live the life they want with the appropriate support in place. What matters most to Sue is to provide the highest quality of care and compassion at every stage of life, meeting people where they are rather than where others believe they should be. She strongly believes that seniors should be supported in living their best lives.

During her free time, Sue enjoys spending time with her dogs, gardening, reading, and being with her family.

Janet Colon

Lead Caregiver

With over ten years of experience in senior care and a dedicated tenure at Senior Helpers since 2018, Janet found her true passion as a Caregiver Lead. She believes that the heart of quality care is the friendship and trust built with each senior, and she strives to create a sense of community that connects our team with the families we serve. What matters the most to Janet is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on other lives. This commitment to care is what drives Janet's current studies at Malcolm X College, where she is pursuing her BNA certificate and training to become a Patient Care Technician (PCT).

Beyond Janet's professional academic pursuits, she is a dedicated mother of three and cherishes the time she spends together, from weekend shopping trips to family outings at the theater. Janet's compassion for other extends to her home life as well, where she enjoys caring for her diverse group of pets; three dogs, three cats, a bird, and a hamster!

Czarina Fajardo

Scheduler

Czarina has a diverse professional background that includes working as a Customer Service Representative and Technical Support Specialist for a dental healthcare account. She also served as a General Ledger Bookkeeper and managed a bank branch. Through these roles, she has developed a strong commitment to delivering reliable, detail-oriented service while building meaningful relationships with clients.

What matters most to Czarina is providing compassionate support and ensuring that clients feel genuinely cared for, rather than treated as part of a routine business transaction. Her approach reflects a deep dedication to both service excellence and client trust.

Outside of work, Czarina enjoys staying active and unwinding by playing pickleball with her friends. This helps her maintain a healthy balance and a positive outlook in both her personal and professional life.

Larry Ichon Jr.

Scheduler

Larry graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, majoring in Research and Statistics, from Davao Oriental State University. He brings extensive experience in healthcare support, having worked as a Customer Service Representative and Corporate Trainer at UnitedHealthcare and Optum Global Solutions, where he handled claims processing, benefits coordination, and training delivery.

Earlier in his career, he served as a Research Assistant at DORSU, where he applied statistical tools and supported faculty research initiatives. His skill set includes healthcare scheduling systems, workflow optimization, professional communication, training facilitation, and statistical analysis.

He is motivated, solution-focused, and adaptable to U.S. schedules, with a strong interest in designing workflow guides, care plan templates, and humanizing compliance training for practical, real-world impact.

Outside of work, Larry enjoys reading—particularly classic literature—and engaging in nature activities such as mountaineering, snorkeling, and hiking. These pursuits help him maintain a balanced lifestyle. What matters most to Larry is living authentically, contributing meaningfully to others, and sustaining a healthy balance between professional growth and personal fulfillment.

Cherry Veroy

Scheduler

Cherry is a reliable On-Call Scheduler with a strong background in customer service and virtual support. She is experienced in coordinating caregiver schedules, managing urgent staffing needs, and maintaining clear, compassionate communication with clients and care teams. Her organization and adaptability allow her to perform well in fast-paced environments where timely support is essential.

What matters most to Cherry is genuine care, clear communication, and reliability in every interaction. She is committed to making a positive impact by ensuring that both clients and caregivers feel supported, heard, and respected. Delivering excellent service and creating smooth, stress-free scheduling experiences are her top priorities.

Outside of work, Cherry enjoys watching Korean dramas and variety shows. This helps her relax, recharge, and stay inspired by different stories, cultures, and perspectives.

Dave Reg

Recruiter

Dave is a dedicated Healthcare Recruiter Coordinator with over two years of experience supporting the recruitment and placement of high-quality caregivers. Dave takes pride in producing both quantity and quality, ensuring that caregivers are not only skilled but also compassionate and reliable. He is passionate about contributing to a healthcare environment where both caregivers and clients can thrive. Outside of work, Dave enjoys spending time with friends and family and exploring new cafés through café hopping. What matters most to Dave is making a positive impact on others, and he strongly believes that “the greatest happiness in this world is making others happy,” a value that guides both his personal life and professional approach.

Maura Pector

Business Development Manager

Maura has worked with seniors and their families for over the past 10 years, helping them find the best community and resources for aging in place. What matters most to her is her family. She enjoys spending time with her parents and adult children, in addition to her grand dog and two kitties. She has two family members with dementia and is very sensitive to what families and their loved ones are facing because of the disease. In addition, she appreciates cooking for others, spending time outdoors, and traveling. She is hoping to plan a trip abroad soon.

Danielle Sigman

Business Development Manager

Danielle is a marketer with a passion for helping people and a background in experience focused roles ensuring people feel supported, informed, and valued. Transitioning into healthcare marketing allows her to combine her professional skills with work that feels meaningful. Danielle is motivated by the opportunity to connect individuals and communities with information and services that support healthier lives. What matters most to her is making a difference in the daily lives of seniors with quality care. During her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family, friends, and her puppy.

Shannon Tupaz

Internal Sales

Shannon is the first point of contact for families who reach out to Senior Helpers online. What matters most to her is to understand their unique needs, discuss care options, and guide them through the next steps right from the very first conversation. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys art and creative projects.

Meet the Greater Chicagoland Office

Our History

Our process

Meet Our Team

Images from the Greater Chicagoland Office

Senior Helpers of Greater Chicagoland in the Community!

Areas We Serve