Sunrise of Fair Oaks

Meet some of the members of our team here at Sunrise of Fair Oaks.

Lyndee Whaley

Executive Director

"I have worked with Sunrise of 18 years, 23 years as a Licensed Facility Administrator.

My favorite part of my job is advocating for residents and supporting TEAM. The best part of working at Sunrise is the team work and every day is a different day.

My hobbies are kids in sports (soccer, Lacrosse and Volleyball) in High school, pets 2 dogs, conure, cameleon, motorcycling and boating."

Joli DeFazio

Director of Sales

"I started with Sunrise in July 2019 but prior to that I worked for a company that provide non-medical in home care.

I really enjoy conversing with the residents and working with my team. We all support each other and help when needed. The team here at Sunrise of Fair Oaks is so tenured, it really speaks volumes about our trusted leader, Lyndee Whaley. I appreciate each day that I work with the other coordinators, as I have so much to learn from them.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and my two dogs, Duke (Jack Russell Terrier) and Marley (Chocolate lab)."

William Schroeder

Dining Services Coordinator

"My name is William Schroeder and I am the Dining Services Coordinator for Sunrise Senior Living of Fair Oaks. I have worked for Sunrise Senior Living since 2010 but have worked in food service since 2004. I stared my food service career in a sandwich shop / ice cream parlor. I worked my way up to an assistant manager at my first job. I then obtained a job at Sunrise Senor Living of Rocklin as a dishwasher. From this role I was able to hone my culinary skills and knowledge over the course of the last ten years. I worked my way to prep cook, line cook, and then to lead cook. I held the role of lead cook for 6 years and further expanded my culinary skill and gained a deep knowledge of food service and therapeutic diets. With the help of my mentors and the management skill learned from Sunrise’s DCIT program I was able to achieve the position of DSC at Sunrise of Fair Oaks.

My favorite part of my job is the difference that a good meal can make in the day of a resident. Sunrise provides superb care to its residents and provides me with an outstanding logistics system that enables me to achieve dining excellence.

I have been an avid power lifter for the past seven years. My hobbies include training in martial arts, gold panning, hiking, video games, and occasionally exploring caves."

Katie Nelson

Resident Care Coordinator

Katie has more than 20 years of experience working with and caring for seniors. She began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant while still attending high school in Minnesota. Since joining our team at Sunrise of Fair Oaks, Katie has taken on many roles, including Care Manager, cook, bus driver and Medication Manager. Katie was promoted to her current position of Assisted Living Coordinator in 2014. 

Her favorite Sunrise Principle of Service has always been Nurturing the Spirit. “Too often, we underestimate the power of a smile, a kind word, a listening ear or the smallest act of caring,” she said. “Each of these things can have a positive impact on one’s spirit. Sunrise is a second home to me, and my residents are like family.”

Erika Madsen-Coyle

Business Office Coordinator

Erika joined Sunrise Senior Living for very personal reasons.  When her grandfather’s dementia became too much for her grandmother to handle, he moved in to Sunrise of Petaluma, where Erika’s sister was the Sales and Marketing Director.  Erika saw the love and care he received every day before passing away, and knew she had found her direction in life. After two years in the role of Sales and Marketing Director at Sunrise, she transitioned to Business Office Coordinator and has enjoyed that role ever since. 

Erika’s favorite Sunrise principle of service is Celebrating Individuality. “Each of our residents has their own story to tell and I enjoy hearing each one,” she said. “When we truly get to know our residents, we are better able to serve them.”