Meet some of the members of our team here at Brighton Gardens of St. Charles, Illinois. 

Bridget O’Connor

Executive Director

“Spending time with our residents has taught me so much in such a short time - it is by far the best part of my job! I really enjoy watching the relationships develop between residents and the staff who work here.  I am continually overwhelmed by how much the entire team cares about each resident and am often caught off guard by how poignant the interactions between the two can be – it is amazing and I am so grateful to witness these moments.  

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my two young grandsons.”

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Denise Holt

Director of Sales

"I feel extremely fortunate to work in an industry that I love. I have a genuine passion for assisting families in finding solutions for their loved ones and having a role in providing dignity and quality of life for our seniors is priceless. 

I began my career in the senior living industry as a senior adviser. While I have an extensive background in corporate human resources, senior living is where my heart is. Sunrise’s belief in the sacred value of human life is why I feel blessed to work here.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and ministering in my church."

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Julie Soukup 

Assisted Living Coordinator 

“I have been employed by Sunrise since 2005. I love knowing that what we do on a daily basis makes a difference in our residents’ lives. We get to make it happen and pay it forward! 

I love interacting with our residents, listening to their concerns and resolving any issues that they may have.  It is a huge honor to know that we are given the responsibility of caring for the generation who took such good care of us. I am delighted to be an advocate for the residents and am blessed to be here. 

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband of 35 years, Ryan, three children, and one grandson.”

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Barbara Gallagher

Activities and Volunteer Coordinator

“I joined the team at Sunrise in 2006. I always wanted to be around seniors, and I helped my grandmother out when I was a young girl. At 50, I realized that serving seniors is what I wanted to do with the rest of my life and it has been a dream. 

Each day, I leave our community with a full heart, knowing that I helped make the day better for our residents. Seeing the smiles and the satisfaction when residents are involved in an activity is all I really need to feel successful. 

In my spare time, I love spending time with my family, especially my grandson, Ben. I travel a couple of times a year to California because two of my sons live there!  I also love to play tennis, run and practice yoga.  I am very involved in various ministries of my church, and was on the committee for the St. Charles Walk to End Alzheimer’s for the past two years.”

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Adrian Arias

Dining Services Coordinator

"I have been employed with Sunrise since 2011. Food is my passion and I love cooking. I can cook all day and not get tired of it. When I cook for the residents, it feels like I am cooking for my family. I love spending time with the residents—getting to know them and learning what they like to eat. 

I like to spend my spare time with my young daughter. She is a little fish and loves to swim, so we go swimming a lot. I also love to watch football."

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