OUR TEAM
Expert Caregivers Providing Personalized Care for Your Loved One
Vitaly Salo, CSA
Owner and Executive Director
Vitaly is the Owner and Executive Director of Home Instead Senior Care. He has owned his Home Care business for over 20 years. A Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) Vitaly knows firsthand the many challenges that families face as they care for their aging loved ones. In addition to professionally dealing with senior care issues, he has personally encountered many senior care issues and hurdles as his mom was a Primary Caregiver to both of his grandparents. As a caregiver he has cared for his Dad and continues to care for his Mom.
In his current role as the Executive Director of Home Instead he leads a team of 70 plus Care Professionals and Administrative Staff delivering Care to Clients in the South of the River area including the counties of: Dakota, Scott, Carver, Rice, and Le Sueur.
Vitaly is the former Chair of the Legislative Committee with the Private Duty Team of the Minnesota Home Care Association. He has been very active in recent legislative changes to help deliver better care to seniors. Having served as President of the Elder Resource Association,
Vitaly is a business leader on a mission to actively change the face of aging, Vitaly is a very active member of his church (Berean Baptist Church in Burnsville) where he serves as an Elder. His hobbies include Family, Travel, Photography, Skiing, and the Great Outdoors.
Melissa Leick
Director of Client Care
Melissa started out as a Home Instead “CAREGiver” in February 2007 and has transitioned into the “Client Care Coordinator” position in October 2008.
Prior to Home Instead Melissa spent 9 years in Sales and Customer Service. Melissa lives with her husband and 3 kids in Apple Valley, MN. Family is a huge motivator for Melissa. “Family has always been the core of my life & continues to be. Growing up I was taught to do the best job I can & to be the best person I can- that philosophy stands true today. I strive for excellence & improvement, both personally and professionally. I bring a caring, positive, team playing attitude.”
Melissa came to Home Instead 2 weeks after her Grandma passed, and fell in love with the culture of care and family. “I sooo enjoy working with my clients & feel personally rewarded after my time spent with them. Often, I think I enjoy my visits with my clients more than they enjoy my assistance. I have lifelong relationships & I have adopted grandmas in the south of the river area.”
Today her job consists of meeting with families to set up care, doing Client and CAREGiver Introductions, Quality Assurance visits, and in general making sure that Clients that are entrusted into our care are getting the BEST experience possible in-Home Care. We are blessed to have Melissa on our team.
Mary Jo McNaughton
Office Coordinator
Mary Jo has been with Home Instead since December 2005. She first started out as a CAREGiver and worked Part-Time in the Office gradually working to the Full-Time Position as the Office Coordinator.
At the time she started Mary Jo had just retired from the Army with 20 years of Military Service. After giving to her country, she felt it was time to reflect and find her passion, “something she would enjoy and receive personal satisfaction”. She also had a strong desire to learn more about the stages seniors must go through to complete life’s journey. She was raised on a farm in southern Minnesota in a family of eleven children. Her own Mother was able to stay in her home with the help of family and a Home Care Agency”.
“Working every day at Home Instead is very personal to me. Everyone young and old understands the importance of Home, the lifetime memories, families, and friends and most of all comfort and security. Home is where most seniors want to stay, and I work hard every day to give families satisfaction and peace of mind that their loved one’s needs are being met in their home”.
Susan Rae
Human Resource Manager
Sue has worked with Burnsville Home Instead for 10 years. She started as a Part Time CAREGiver, and then worked additionally as an On Call Supervisor. Sue transitioned to a Full Time Role in the Office as a Recruitment & Retention Coordinator, and now the last 6 years is working as the HR Manager.
Her experiences include working as a Nursing Asst’ though High School and a few years after, at Nursing Homes and Abbot Northern Western Hospital. Sue also took care of her grandmother through High School. She has always had a passion to work with the Elderly. She worked as an In-home License Daycare Provider for 31 years. Sue really enjoys helping others, young and old.
Sue enjoys hiring new caregivers and training them to be successful caregivers with the elderly. Sue always enjoys making connections with her past clients, and now with hiring caregivers, and helping them along the way, with training and mentoring.
Sue has 3 children, who all are married. She has 8 grandkids and loves spending time with them.
Lisa Renken
Lead Service Coordinator
Lisa has worked for Home Instead since June 2023. Before Home Instead, she spent 17 years as a preschool teacher. Her interests include gardening, baking, bowling, and weightlifting. She is a mother of three wonderful children and one new grandson.
“I enjoy working for Home Instead because I enjoy knowing that I am able to continue to make a difference in someone’s life each day”.
Allison Sparks
Service Coordinator
Allison has worked for Home Instead since September 2023. Before Home Instead she spent time as a center director (childcare) and as a DSP in a group home. Her educational background includes early childhood and economics. She enjoys spending time with her family (husband, daughter (8 years) and son (6 months)) – together they enjoy hiking, swimming, biking, and days they can spend in their pajamas.
“I enjoy working for Home Instead because we work as a team to help keep people at home as long as possible.”
Kari Paredes, RN.
Nurse Supervisor
Kari has been with Home Instead since 2019 as the Nurse Supervisor. She began as a Home Health Aide and worked her way to becoming a Registered Nurse. She has lots of experience working in Home Care, Nursing Home, and various departments in the hospital, specializing in Pediatric to Geriatric. Kari has been working in the medical field for 28 years.
“I enjoy working with our clients and caregivers. The area we service I grew up in and it has been exciting to work with clients, caregivers and family members with the same background.
I am a firm believer people do better and live longer living in their own homes and environments. I enjoy providing this valuable service to our clients, caregivers, and family members”.
Anthony Salo
Recruiter
Anthony has been with Home Instead since 2018. He has had several roles starting out as a helper for our Be a Santa to a Senior program and has worked in a supportive role in the office.
He is currently serving as our Recruiter to help us hire the BEST CAREGivers possible.
