Meet The Northwesterly Team

Our 24-hour caring and specially trained staff not only administers a full range of services for our residents, but considers them part of the Northwesterly family. You will often see our Executive Director sharing stories with residents in the dining room, our Life Enrichment Coordinator playing cards, hosting a competitive Wii bowling tournament or watching a movie with residents in the activity center, or our Chef coordinating special snacks for residents in the café / bistro. This is how the Northwesterly family knows when our residents had a grandchild, expect a visitor for lunch or just need a light bulb replaced. Our team encourages resident feedback to develop programs that will complement our resident's interests and help them cultivate new ones.

Ann Sevenich

Executive Director / Live-In Manager

Ann has been the Executive Director at Northwesterly since 2011. She is responsible for overseeing daily operations of the community, ensuring quality care and services are provided to residents and achieving high resident satisfaction. Setting Northwesterly apart from other communities, Ann lives at Northwesterly and shares her lives with the residents she is dedicated to serving. Ann has worked in health care for over 25 years. She comes to Northwesterly from a faith-based continuing care retirement company located in Youngstown, Ohio. Ann oversaw the home health agency and supervised the company’s wellness department. She was instrumental in achieving deficiency free State surveys during her entire tenure and led her team to be recognized in the top 25% in the U.S. Ann previously worked for Alterra Healthcare, a national assisted living provider, and was recognized as one of the top ten directors in the nation. She was the Executive Director for 2 communities, and promoted to Regional Director of Operations overseeing 12 assisted living and memory care residences throughout Northeast Ohio. Ann began her career as a nurse at various hospitals and facilities. Ann graduated from Hannah E. Mullins Nursing School, where she was chosen as “Best-All-Around Nurse” by instructors, and continued her education at Kent State University. Ann has been a member, and sat on numerous boards, of various organizations throughout her distinguished career including: Northern Columbiana County American Red Cross; Salem Rotary Club; Salem Chamber of Commerce; Kent State University Adult Studies Program and Essex of Salem Advisory Committee. Ann and her husband have two sons. She enjoys gardening, traveling and reading.

Susan Hunter

Dietary Service Director

Susan has been the Dietary Service Director at Northwesterly since 2011. She is responsible for overseeing the Dietary Department and makes delicious and nutritious home-cooked meals from scratch every day for our residents using only the freshest, seasonal ingredients. Our residents enjoy a five-star dining experience lead by Susan filled with a rich assortment of menu options. In collaboration with our Registered Dietician, Susan incorporates resident’s personal recipes, special requests, old time favorites and specific dietary needs so our well-balanced gourmet menus are designed with their health, personal tastes and preferences in mind. Understanding how important great food is to our residents, Susan is consistently introducing exciting new cuisines for the community to enjoy. Susan has been in the food service industry for 29 years. She has been the Chef at other senior living communities, exclusive golf clubs and family owned restaurants. Susan graduated from Columbus State University and Professional Career Development Institute with a concentration in nutrition and cooking. She is ServSafe certified by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Susan is also certified in CPR and received first aid training at Licking Memorial Hospital through the American Heart Association “Heartsaver First Aid” and “Healthcare Providers” programs. She is a member of the American Dietary Managers Association, American Culinary Federation and World Association of Chefs Societies. Susan is a mother, grandmother and enjoys reading and crocheting.

Tracy Thrasher, BSN, RN

Wellness Director / Live-In Manager

Tracy has been the Wellness Director at Northwesterly since 2011. She is responsible for overseeing resident health care services, the medication delivery system, in-service training of the Health Services Department and conducting "Habits of a Lifetime" assessments. She also lives at the Northwesterly and is not only a caretaker, but a neighbor and friend to many of our residents. She is a Licensed Registered Nurse and has worked in the health care industry for over 10 years. Tracy comes to Northwesterly from Emeritus Senior Living, a national assisted living provider, where she was the Regional Director of Quality Services and Special Projects overseeing the wellness departments, health care services and nursing directors for 1 skilled nursing and 10 assisted living communities throughout Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. Tracy previously worked as Regional Director of Clinical and Resident Services for Brookdale Senior Living, a national assisted living provider, and oversaw the wellness departments for 11 assisted living and Alzheimer's and dementia care communities throughout Ohio. During her distinguished career, Tracy has also worked for hospitals, skilled nursing, rehabilitation and assisted living communities overseeing acute care hospital-based nursing, long term nursing home care and home health care throughout Ohio. Tracy received her Bachelor in Nursing from Kent State University. She is licensed by the Ohio Board of Nursing. Tracy has a beautiful daughter and enjoys traveling.

Michael Saunders

Life Enrichment Coordinator

Michael has been the Life Enrichment Coordinator at Northwesterly since 2010. He is responsible for planning and coordinating community-sponsored activity, exercise and wellness programs for residents. Previously, Michael worked in the mortgage business and at Mount Sinai Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Oakwood College and Alabama A&M. He is a senior citizen outreach program leader and volunteers with his church at Indian Hills Senior Community. Michael enjoys playing golf.

Annette Kelly

Community Relations Director

Annette has been the Community Relations Director at Northwesterly since 2010. She is responsible for sales and marketing and has helped numerous families find placement for their loved ones. Previously, Annette was the Director of Admissions for an assisted living and skilled nursing facility in Twinsburg, Ohio. She also worked for Sunrise Senior Living, a national provider, overseeing marketing of an assisted living and memory care community in Westlake, Ohio. Annette started her career with the American Red Cross. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from University of Toledo. Annette is a supporter and volunteer for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She resides in Painesville, Ohio with her husband.

Tom Heil

Maintenance / Housekeeping Director

Tom has been Maintenance and Housekeeping Director at Northwesterly since 1987. He is responsible for maintenance, repairs and improvements to the community and overseeing housekeeping. Tom ensures our residents' homes and surroundings are in a safe and clean condition. He is a self-motivated achiever who simply gets the job done. Tom has been specially trained in heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing. He was previously in the U.S. Navy and served 2 tours in the Persian Gulf. Tom attended West Side Institute of Technology. He is married and has 2 sons and 1 daughter. Tom enjoys restoring and driving his 1955 Ford Thunderbird.

Mary Frances Brooks

Office Manager

Mary Frances has been the Office Manager at Northwesterly since 2004. She is responsible for maintaining day-to-day office operations and procedures, including payroll, rent deposits and resident billing. Mary Frances has over 20 years of prior experience in human resources and payroll management. She graduated from Cuyhoga Community College with degree in business management. Mary Frances and her husband enjoy riding Harley Davidson motorcycles as well as gardening, crafts and theatre.