Our Team of Compassionate Caregivers

Sylvie Cotnoir has been the Executive Director of Laurel Place Assisted Living since the day it opened in 1996. Prior to her role at Laurel Place, she worked as the Director of Human Resources in a long-term care facility for 10 years. Her desire to work in healthcare stemmed from her love of helping others, especially the elderly.

Sylvie considers Laurel Place “her baby.” She is most passionate about making people comfortable, which is evident as soon as you walk through the front doors. The ambiance, warmth, atmosphere, and intimacy of the space are all designed to make you feel at home. She oversees a staff with very little turnover, so residents are able to get to know and trust each employee caring for them. She loves to interact with the residents and their families, and considers each day she spends with them a blessing.

Sylvie was born in Quebec, Canada and lived on a dairy farm until she was four, when her family moved to Manchester, NH, where she grew up. She loves to cook; she is happiest in the kitchen. In her spare time, Sylvie enjoys reading, and she always looks forward to her vacations in Aruba.

Greg Batchelder has 23 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He is a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer and a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.

After graduating from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Organization Leadership, Greg began his career in healthcare as an Occupational Therapist. He later worked as a Rehab Manager, as well as a Nursing Home Administrator, before making the transition to Assisted Living as an Executive Director. He began working at The Inn at Fairview in 2016.

As Executive Director of The Inn at Fairview, Greg is most passionate about helping families gain peace of mind knowing that their loved one is well cared for. He enjoys developing relationships with our residents and getting to know their life stories.

Greg grew up in Bradford, Massachusetts. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, skiing, and paddle boarding.

Amy Valera brings over 30 years of nursing experience to her role at Fairview Senior Living.

As Director of Nursing, Amy oversees all aspects of resident care and the nursing department. Her main goal is to ensure all residents’ needs are recognized, addressed, and advocated for, and she enjoys empowering staff and providing them with the tools they need to succeed. She is passionate about serving the senior population in the community she lives in, and strives to provide high-quality care with expertise and compassion.

Amy obtained her nursing degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1992. Over her 30 years in healthcare, Amy has predominantly worked in long-term care and skilled nursing, serving as the Unit Manager in two Manchester, NH facilities. Additionally, she worked as a Medical/Surgical Nurse at Catholic Medical Center for two years. Prior to her role at Fairview, Amy served as the Assistant Director of Nursing as well as the acting Director of Nursing at Salemhaven Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Salem, NH. She enjoyed that position so much that she wanted to pursue the role closer to home, which brought her to Fairview Senior Living.

Amy resides in Hudson, NH. Outside of work, she and her husband enjoy buying, selling, and collecting antiques, and spending time with their 6 children and grandson.

Felicsha Young brings over 17 years of healthcare experience to her role as Staff Development Coordinator and Infection Control Nurse at Fairview Senior Living.

In her position, Felicsha is responsible for planning, coordinating, and providing staff training and professional development, while also leading the infection prevention and control program. She plays a vital role in tracking and preventing the spread of infectious diseases and providing staff with crucial education and guidance. Her passion for continuous learning and improving care drives her to help both residents and staff succeed in creating a safe and effective environment.

Felicsha’s healthcare career began in 2008 when she started as a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) at various facilities, including Hillsborough County Nursing Home, Maple Leaf Health Care Center, Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center, and The Arbors of Bedford. In 2020, she earned her LPN from Harmony Health Care Institute and went on to serve as a Care Nurse Supervisor at Benchmark Senior Living until May 2024.

She was inspired to pursue healthcare from an early age when her family experienced the compassionate care of nurses, and this ignited her desire to help others. Felicsha earned recognition during her nursing studies with the Clinical Excellence Award and by being named to the Dean’s List.

Felicsha resides in Manchester, NH. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog, attending sports games and concerts, hiking, and embracing the beauty of nature.

Michelle Lopez brings over 38 years of experience in long-term care and rehabilitation to her role at Fairview Senior Living. As Resident Care Director, Michelle plans, organizes, develops, and directs the overall operations of the nursing department to ensure that the highest standards of quality care are maintained at all times.

Prior to Fairview, Michelle has served in various nursing roles since 1986, including as a Resident Service Director, a Charge Nurse, and a Medication/Treatment Nurse. She joined the team at The Inn in 2018 as an LPN, before becoming the Resident Care Director in 2023.

In her role, Michelle is passionate about making a difference in residents’ lives – from holding their hands to advocating for them. She is also a volunteer with the Nashua Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Southern New Hampshire Emergency Medical Response.

Michelle currently resides in Nashua, NH with her husband and three teenagers. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting with her Cricut, spending time with family, and camping.

Eileen Long brings over 25 years of healthcare experience to her role as Admissions Coordinator at Fairview Senior Living.

As Admissions Coordinator, Eileen determines and implements admissions best-practices, executes all admission and discharge processes, and works closely with residents and their loved ones to review all referrals for potential admission to Fairview Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing. She also builds and maintains relationships with all referral sources, including doctors, hospitals, and other care managers.

Eileen served in various healthcare positions, including as an Admissions Director for 11 years and a Scheduler for 11 years, before joining the team at Fairview Senior Living in May of 2021. She is most passionate about helping people, especially during difficult times in their lives. She feels strongly that every small step in an individual’s road to recovery matters, so she strives to make that road as smooth and easy as possible. She also enjoys being a resource for those needing guidance on navigating the world of long-term care.

Eileen is from Manchester, NH. Outside of work, she enjoys reading (especially on a beach), and spending time with her family and two dogs.

Leigh Richards brings over 17 years of healthcare experience to her role at Fairview Senior Living. As Human Resources Manager, Leigh manages the daily operations of the HR department, including recruiting, interviewing, and hiring staff, employee onboarding and development, administering pay, benefits, and leave, enforcing company policies and procedures, and employee relationship management. She is most passionate about cultivating those relationships, and takes immense pride in helping each staff member learn, grow, and accomplish their goals.

Prior to her role at Fairview Senior Living, Leigh worked in the travel industry for over 20 years, including as Team Leader at American Express Travel, where she oversaw multi-million dollar accounts and won the prestigious Pacesetter Award for outstanding commitment to her work. After September 11th, the travel industry was forever changed, and her next career move was to Lowell General Hospital, where she worked in Human Resources for ten years and was recognized as a Star Performer. In 2016 she was recruited by a former coworker to join her at Fairview, where she’s remained an integral part of the team ever since.

Leigh grew up in Westford, MA, and has been a New Hampshire resident for 30 years. Outside of work, she loves spending time at her Newfound Lake cottage with family and friends, traveling, playing cards, and enjoying a nice glass of wine.

Desiree Placey brings over 15 years of healthcare experience to her role at Fairview Senior Living. As Director of Rehabilitation, Desiree leads and manages all aspects of the rehabilitation department, working to deliver the highest standard of rehabilitation services while obtaining the best possible outcomes for all patients. She ensures that all areas have proper operational controls and the correct systems in place to effectively grow and operate efficiently.

Prior to Fairview, Desiree worked as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant for five years in Hanover and Lebanon, NH. She joined the Fairview team in May of 2019 as the Assistant Director of Rehabilitation, before becoming the Director of Rehabilitation in February of 2023.

In her role, Desiree is passionate about helping patients achieve their goals, improve their quality of life, and get their power back. She strives to provide the highest quality care while connecting with each individual on a personal level.

Desiree is from Bradford, VT. Outside of work, she enjoys kayaking, camping, live music, going to the beach, watching and attending sports, traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

As Director of Maintenance at Fairview Senior Living, Don Rankins oversees all maintenance at Fairview Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing, The Inn at Fairview Memory Care, and Laurel Place Assisted Living. In his role, he is most passionate about helping the older generation; he likes to make their lives easier in any way he can.

Don started his career in construction, working with his two brothers who both own companies in New London, New Hampshire and Upton, Massachusetts. After looking for a job closer to home, he was hired at Polyclad Laminates, where he quickly climbed the ladder: after four years he led his department, after five years he became supervisor, and after six years he was managing over 40 people. He returned to construction in 2006 when he became the Maintenance Director at a small 42-bed nursing home, before ultimately joining the Fairview team in 2011.

Don is from Milford, Massachusetts. After the blizzard of ‘78, his parents moved to Southern New Hampshire, and he has lived in “perfect New Hampshire” ever since. In his spare time, Don enjoys camping, riding motorcycles, playing softball, and spending time with his two daughters and his son.

Joe Melo has worked at Fairview Senior Living for over 35 years. Although his primary responsibilities include building maintenance and upkeep, he is always willing to lend a hand wherever needed. He loves helping others and can even be found participating in resident activities to make their days more enjoyable. Joe is an integral part of the Fairview family, and he positively impacts the lives of every resident and employee due to his positive attitude, strong work ethic, generosity, and caring heart.

Joe was born in Portugal. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. He also loves camping, biking, and martial arts.

Jill Favereau brings over 27 years of healthcare experience to her role as Director of Social Services at Fairview Senior Living.

Growing up in a family with a strong medical background, Jill’s passion for caring for others was ignited early in life. After graduating from Plymouth State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and a Minor in Psychology and Child Development, Jill became a Licensed Social Worker in Massachusetts. She began her career working with adults living with Huntington’s disease and traumatic brain injuries. From there, Jill moved on to geriatric care in both long-term and short-term settings.

Jill has worked at Fairview Senior Living for 12 years. Currently, she is the medical social worker for our short-term rehab unit, where her primary responsibilities include managing and overseeing resident care plans as well as the discharge planning process with doctors and interdisciplinary teams. She also works closely with our long-term care social worker to support residents and families of Fairview Skilled Nursing.

Jill finds great satisfaction in setting our residents up with the tools needed for success, not only during their stay at Fairview Senior Living, but once they’re home as well.

Stephanie Saouma has worked at Fairview Senior Living for over 30 years. As Food Service Director, she oversees all operations of the food service departments in Fairview Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing, The Inn at Fairview Memory Care, and Laurel Place Assisted Living. She creates and plans seasonal menus with healthy and delicious dishes made from scratch, and hires, manages, and supervises all food service personnel. She is passionate about testing new recipes, and spreading joy and comfort to residents and staff through her homemade meals.

Stephanie was born and raised in Hudson, NH. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time near the water, and creating fiber art.

Joanna Quigley, a member of our social services team, collaborates with and provides support for our residents and their families to ensure each resident receives an unparalleled level of individualized care. She brings almost 20 years of healthcare experience to her role.

Joanna first uncovered her passion for long-term care during an internship in Concord, NH. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 2002 with a degree in Recreation Therapy, she started her career in healthcare as an Activities Assistant, then moved to Florida in 2004 where she worked as a Dementia Unit Program Director for long-term care residents for 10 years. Joanna returned to New Hampshire in 2014, working in social services in a Hampton long-term care facility for two years, before ultimately joining our Fairview family in January 2016.

Joanna grew up in Mont Vernon, NH. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Missy Pinard brings over 32 years of experience in clinical nutrition and management to her role as Registered Dietitian at Fairview Senior Living. She is fully licensed in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, a member of both the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the New Hampshire Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NHAND), registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, and ServSafe certified.

Missy has worked at Fairview for over 14 years, where she is a member of our interdisciplinary clinical team. Her primary responsibilities include completing full nutrition assessments on all residents, attending family and care plan meetings, and working closely with the Food Services Department to ensure the nutritional adequacy of all meals. In her role, Missy is most passionate about the relationships she has formed with our residents, because they remind her of her Grandma.

Missy graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Nutritional Services. After completing an internship at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA, she worked in a state psychiatric hospital as their Clinical Dietitian for three years, then for Sodexo in a private psychiatric hospital for three years. In 1998, Missy became the Chief Clinical Dietician at Lowell General, where she worked for 9 years. She later worked at Life Care Center of Acton as a Clinical Dietitian and Salemhaven Nursing Home as a Registered Dietitian before joining our Fairview family in 2008.

In her free time, Missy enjoys cruising, traveling, crafts, and spending time with her family. She can often be found cheering on the sidelines at her sons’ soccer games.

Diane McLay brings over 40 years of nursing experience to her role at Fairview Senior Living. As MDS Coordinator, her primary responsibilities include completing assessments that are used to develop individualized care plans for each resident. Diane earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northeastern University.

Candace Bobb brings over a decade of experience in environmental services and senior care to her role as Director of Environmental Services at Fairview Senior Living. Candace began her journey at Fairview in 2012, encouraged by her mother who worked in laundry and her family’s deep connection to the community—her grandmother was a resident and her sister was a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA). After a brief time away in California, Candace returned to Fairview in 2021, stepping into her current position after her mother’s retirement in 2024.

In her role, Candace manages the day-to-day operations of the Environmental Services department, ensuring a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for residents, staff, and visitors. She is committed to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and safety, while also fostering strong relationships with residents and their families. Candace believes that Fairview provides a “home away from home” for everyone who walks through its doors.

Born and raised in Nashua, NH, Candace has been married to her husband for 17 years, and together they have five children with one on the way. Outside of work, Candace enjoys spending time with her family, including helping care for her mother.

Yunting Li is a music therapist specializing in supporting older adults, particularly those in senior living communities and individuals with dementia. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music, with a minor in Psychology, and completed advanced training in Neurologic Music Therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis. Yunting is also certified in Autism Education by the China Association of Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons.

Through her practicum experiences and internship at Hebrew Senior Life, Yunting has developed expertise in working with diverse populations, including children with autism, adults with developmental delays, and seniors with dementia. She tailors each session to the unique needs of individuals, using music to foster emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. Yunting’s approach is deeply personal—she creates a safe space where residents can express themselves through singing, playing instruments, or simply listening.

A skilled vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Yunting enjoys incorporating various genres like Pop, R&B, Musicals, and Cool Jazz into her sessions. She is fluent in guitar, piano, percussion, and Chinese traditional instruments, which enables her to connect with clients from different backgrounds. Her enthusiasm, empathy, and musical versatility make her an effective and compassionate therapist.

Originally from Beijing, China, Yunting is passionate about using music to improve the quality of life for seniors. Outside of music therapy, she enjoys hiking, reading, and cooking Chinese food.

Joy Griggs brings over 27 years of experience in mental and behavioral healthcare to her role at The Inn at Fairview. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health and Minor in Psychology from Rivier University. Joy is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

As Program Manager, Joy plans, organizes, develops, and directs all operations of the programming department at The Inn. She creates and carries out a diverse calendar of activities–each activity designed to meet our residents’ emotional, mental, and spiritual needs, and to help them feel fulfilled and happy. She is most passionate about connecting with each resident on a personal level, learning about their lives, and hearing their stories.

Joy’s work in healthcare began while in high school, when she volunteered at a day program for developmentally disabled adults. Upon graduating in 1997, she was hired full time as a Job Coach, and oversaw all social recreational events. From 2003-2005, Joy worked at Vinfen as their Site Manager, continuing to care for adults with mental health conditions, then was hired at North Suffolk Mental Health, where she worked as a Program Coordinator then Senior Program Coordinator for 12 years. Joy’s desire to care for others stems from her family: her oldest brother has Down Syndrome, so it has always been a passion of hers to make sure people with disabilities are able to live their best life.

Joy grew up in Malden, Massachusetts. In her free time, she enjoys camping and spending time with her husband and their two sons.

Jade Smith brings over a decade of experience in healthcare activities to her role at Fairview Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing.

As Activities Director, Jade plans, coordinates, and implements a diverse calendar of meaningful programs and activities designed to enrich and enhance our residents’ quality of life. She uses the seven dimensions of wellness to create these programs: Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social, Environmental, Occupational, and Spiritual. She is most passionate about caring for the mind and soul of each resident, bringing excitement and joy to their days and giving them something to look forward to every morning.

Prior to her role at Fairview, Jade worked in activities in various skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities. She studied CNA/Medical Assisting, but fell in love with activities and has worked in the field since she was 15 years old.

Jade is from Townsend, Massachusetts. In her free time she enjoys cooking, spending time with her son, thrift shopping, and having a glass of wine with her cat.

Anoli Bragdon brings a wealth of experience in recreation and community engagement to her role as Activities Coordinator at Laurel Place Assisted Living. With a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Anoli’s career began in college camps and evolved into leadership roles, such as Assistant Director of Programming at a New Hampshire camp in the early 2000s, and activities staff for a prominent cruise line in the 2010s.

At Laurel Place, Anoli plans, organizes, and executes a diverse calendar of activities designed to enrich residents’ lives, enhancing physical, mental, and emotional well-being while fostering a vibrant community atmosphere. She is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that make Laurel Place feel like home.

Anoli is a proud New England native, born and raised in the region. Outside of work, she is a part-time caregiver for her grandfather and enjoys camping, kayaking, seeing musicals, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family.

Elle brings a decade of experience in public relations and communications to her role at Fairview Senior Living. As Director of Marketing and Social Media, her primary responsibilities include planning, developing, and executing strategic marketing and communication plans, creating and curating content for social media, and establishing and maintaining relationships with local media, key organizations, and community members.

From an early age, Elle was drawn to the media world. She grew up in Orlando, FL, and in college interned for the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network as well as NBC Sports at the 2012 London Olympics. In 2012, she graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Media/Communication Studies, then moved to New York City where she worked in television production for NBC, cable networks, and independent production companies. In 2014, she moved to Boston and served as Public Relations Account Executive at 451 Marketing, where she planned and executed integrated public relations campaigns for many of the region’s top restaurants and hospitality brands. Elle later worked as Director of Media Relations at Verdant Communications and Public Relations & Social Media Specialist at Sprocket Communications, where she coordinated successful coverage of national product launches, major facility openings, and high-end culinary events. By fostering relationships with clients and a robust network of media contacts, she’s secured coverage in The New York Times, USA Today, Rolling Stone, The Boston Globe, Mic, Vice, and many other prestigious outlets.

Elle’s deep desire to help others and positively impact their lives led her to Fairview Senior Living, where she has worked since March of 2020. She currently resides in Franklin, TN. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching horror movies, cheering on her favorite New England sports teams, reading, and spending time with her family.