Meet Our Team

Susan Cwieka - President/CEO

Susan Cwieka has decades of executive experience in assisted living and the senior housing sector. She is an innovative leader who has overseen community expansions, renovations, and turnarounds across a wide spectrum of senior living settings. A Certified Dementia Educator, Susan helped implement numerous memory care programs throughout eastern Massachusetts, including an award-winning start-up community.

Susan received her B.A. in Nursing Home Administration from Simmons College and her M.P.A. with a Health Care concentration from Suffolk University. Prior to joining Youville as CEO in 2024, Susan served as Regional Director for five senior living communities in Newton. In addition to her organizational and leadership experience, she is a compassionate leader who values getting to know the residents and families who call Youville home.

Susan has been passionate about serving older adults since the age of 12, when she began volunteering in nursing homes. A lifelong Massachusetts resident, she is an avid skier and proud mother of two adult children, Jacob and Sara.

Bianca Medeiros - COO

Bianca has nearly 20 years of experience caring for older adults. She has spent most of her professional career at Youville and has worked in nearly every department. Her intimate understanding of Youville’s mission and values-based approach to assisted living ensures that all residents are treated with the highest level of care and compassion. Bianca’s commitment to exceptional service and person-centered care is driven by a lifelong passion to help others and serve those in need.

Prior to her role as COO, Bianca served as Director of Community Life at Youville House, where she honed her talent for developing meaningful relationships with residents and family members. She is a skilled problem solver and organizational strategist who is well respected by residents, families, and staff.

Bianca received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UMass Boston.

Sydny Douglas - Director of Human Resources

With over 20 years of HR experience, Sydny most recently served as Personnel Director at Managed Health Resources in Somerville before joining the Youville team in 2022. Sydny is a collaborative leader with a special talent for training and developing employees to help them reach their full potential. Sydny is passionate about coaching and engaging staff and fostering workforce morale, performance, teambuilding, and retention.

Kathleen Kelleher - Director of Mission & Spiritual Care

Kathleen is a board-certified interfaith chaplain who brings compassion, vast experience and a natural affinity for older adults to her role at Youville. Kathleen trained as a chaplain at Boston-area hospitals and was employed by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center as an interfaith chaplain. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, she earned her Master’s of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Before her pastoral calling, Kathleen earned a master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy and worked for a consulting firm specializing in community development and planning.

Yanira Burgos - Senior Director of Marketing and Community Relations

Yanira earned her bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University, where she majored in Journalism with a focus on Public Relations and Business. For the past 18 years at Youville,
Yanira has played a meaningful role in strengthening Youville’s presence in the community. She brings a warm, relationship‑centered approach to building partnerships and has helped expand Youville’s visibility through engaging content, thoughtful brand stewardship, and genuine community connection.
Yanira serves as Youville’s Parkinson’s Liaison and is an active member of Moving Day Boston through the Parkinson’s Foundation. She also gives her time to the Lexington Rotary Club, where she serves on the board and supports local service initiatives.

Virginia “Ginger” Ellis - Director of Community Life, Youville Place

Ginger has 30 years of service to non-profit organizations and is pleased to have celebrated 10 years of that service with the Youville family. Her career experience includes time with Easter Seals Virginia in event management and program development, supporting individuals with disabilities and with Children Incorporated assessing and auditing international service programs to children and their families. Ginger attended Fisher College in Massachusetts and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, focusing on administration and non-profit management.

Katie Blanchard - Director of Programs

Katie brings over 20 years of programming experience to the Youville communities. She is passionate about developing engaging and inclusive activities for all residents, and is actively involved with both Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s programming. She became a Certified Dementia Practitioner in 2000 and a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner in 2024. Katie earned her bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Southern Maine.

Jacquelyn Saraco, RN - Director of Wellness, Youville House

Jacquelyn Saraco, RN, leads the Wellness team at Youville House and is responsible for the overall care and services provided to our residents. Her extensive nursing and leadership background has included roles at numerous nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living residences. Jackie began her Youville career at The Courtyard Memory Support Community, where she served as a charge nurse, and then served as Nurse Manager for two years at Youville House before her promotion to Director of Wellness.

Vinnie Rodrigues - Director of Environmental Services, Youville House

Vinnie began his Youville career in 2018 as Assistant Director of Environmental Services. His upbeat attitude and attentive management style quickly made him a favorite among residents and colleagues alike. In 2021, Vinnie took a position as Director of Environmental Services for Crothall Healthcare, where he supervised maintenance operations and a team of 40 staff at two hospitals. In 2024, he returned to Youville as Director of Environmental Services. Vinnie oversees building projects and coordinates with the many vendors who perform critical work at Youville House. Vinnie is a proven leader who has repeatedly demonstrated consistency, high standards, and commitment to those he serves.

Joe Ameral - Director of Environmental Services, Youville Place

Joe brings 35 years of experience in construction and apartment renovation and is a graduate of Shawsheen Technical High School’s electronics program. For the past 15 years at Youville Place, he has focused on learning, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex building systems to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for residents. Joe enjoys working with new residents and their families, helping them feel welcome and part of the Youville community. Outside of work Joe has a passion for restoring and working on antique stationary engines.

Mark Timpe - Director of Dining Services, Youville Place

Mark comes to Youville Place with over three decades of experience as an executive chef, including eight years in assisted living. He also worked for 24 years as Executive Chef for the Country Club of Billerica, where he managed a high-end banquet hall. Mark is serious about customer service and makes the dining experience of Youville residents his top priority. He especially enjoys engaging with residents and learning how best to accommodate their preferences.

Cheryl Giangregorio - Director of the Courtyard, Youville Place

Cheryl brings over a decade of memory care experience, offering compassionate leadership and a personal, connection‑centered approach to supporting residents and families. Trained in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care®, she emphasizes empathy, dignity, and meeting each individual where they are. Known for her calm, hands‑on style, Cheryl partners closely with her team to ensure care is both clinically strong and deeply kind.

Tamarah Berleus - Director of Community Life, Youville House

Tamarah began her Youville career as a high school student and worked in the dining room – often overlapping shifts with her older brother Jeff and mother Ginette. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition from Framingham State University, Tamarah rejoined Youville as a full-time receptionist. She was soon promoted to Lead Receptionist. Within a year, she was again promoted Director of Community Life. Tamarah provides vital support to residents and families as they transition to Youville. This includes move-in logistics, facilitating new relationships, and orienting residents to programs and services. Tamarah also oversees the Reception team and remains accessible to residents and families as a resource throughout their time at Youville.

Marie Nguyen - Director of Wellness, Youville Place

Marie has been a nurse in senior care for over 7 years and is thrilled about providing compassionate care to residents and their families. She has overseen the care operations for an array of senior living communities. Marie is academically strong, creative and practical which enables her to effectively apply techniques and procedures related to resident care. Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering at local shelters and spending time with her family.

Board of Directors A Career That Make A Difference