Meet Our Memory Care Team

I’m originally from Newburgh, IN, and have been an RN for 25 years. I hold a B.S. in Health Information Administration and an A.S. in Nursing from Indiana University. I achieved board certification in 2020 as a Gerontological Nurse through ANCC and a Qualified Memory Care Professional (QMCP) through the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care.

My healthcare journey began in high school as a candy striper  pushing the candy/gift cart around all the units, later becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant while in college. After starting my career in medical coding, I quickly realized my passion was hands-on nursing. I spent a decade in acute care at Methodist Hospital and St. Vincent Heart Center before returning to my love for long-term care, assisted living, and memory care.

Over the years, I have served as an MDS Coordinator, Director of Nursing, and MDS Consultant. As a regional nurse, I wrote policies, trained staff, and implemented dementia education across multiple states. My passion lies in providing exceptional care and supporting those living with memory loss.

I graduated from Indiana University w/ a degree in Recreational Therapy.

My first experience in Memory Care was volunteering at a Senior Living Community while down in Bloomington and I absolutely fell in love with it. After graduating, my first official job in Senior Living was at a large community in the activities department. My experience there involved working with residents in all aspects of Senior Living which included Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Once again…I knew my passion was with that of Memory Care.

In 2008 I stepped away from Senior Living to utilize my certification as a CTRS. During this time I provided community based therapeutic services including rehabilitation to individuals in their home setting while assisting them to acquire and maintain life skills. After a couple of years I found myself right back where I started!

In January of 2020 I came across Story Cottage and instantly knew I needed to explore the opportunity. Shortly after meeting the team, I was asked to come on board as the House Manager. About 2 weeks after starting my new adventure we were smack dab in the middle of COVID. With challenges come even more rewards, including the smile on a family member's face as they see their loved ones thriving in our care.

In March 2025 I celebrated 5 years with Story Cottage. During these 5 years I have been a part of 3 Grand Openings and in 2024 was promoted to Senior House Manager. I hold a certification through the Alzheimer’s Association essentiALZ program and am a Qualified Memory Care Professional (QMCP) through the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care. Most recently I received the Circle of Excellence Award for Integrity, Compassion and Effectiveness.

Over the past 20+ years I have developed special and memorable relationships with the families of those loved ones I have had a part in caring for. In many ways you become a part of the family. You celebrate those moments of joy with them when a small glimpse of their loved one shows through for that short moment of time and most importantly are there to provide comfort during those most difficult times. Story Cottage has allowed me to continue to do what I have always enjoyed doing in a much more personalized capacity.

Lindsay began working with Story Cottage in February 2023 as the Life Enrichment Coordinator and was promoted to House Manager eight months later. Her career in Senior Living came as a blessing when she accepted a role as Life Enrichment Director in 2018 and she has not looked back since. Lindsay has been recognized by INALA for her contributions to Senior Living with the Innovation of the Year award in 2019 and the Outstanding Activity Director award in 2020.

Since her career in Senior Living started, Memory Care has always held a special place in her heart and she truly enjoys bringing joy to Residents and families living with dementia.

With over 20 years of nursing experience, I have dedicated my career to providing compassionate care for older adults. My journey in healthcare began at 18, following in the footsteps of many family members in the nursing profession. For 13 years, I worked at what is now Otterbein Senior Living in Franklin, IN, where I was honored as Employee of the Year—a recognition that remains a proud milestone in my career.

After stepping away during the COVID-19 pandemic to care for my children, I returned to the field through agency work, which ultimately led me to Story Cottage. From my very first day, I knew this was where I belonged. I quickly advanced to a leadership role and became a House Manager in June 2023.

What I love most about Story Cottage is the deeply personalized care we provide in a home-like setting. The close relationships we build—with both residents and their families—create an environment of trust, warmth, and genuine connection. Working with individuals living with dementia requires a special kind of care, and I cherish the moments of joy we share every day. While our residents may not always remember my name, they recognize the love and consistency I bring—and that means everything.

Outside of work, I enjoy live music and consider myself a true concert enthusiast, a passion I’ve even passed down to my youngest child! Having recently moved to Westfield to be closer to work, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a meaningful community. I truly believe that life leads us exactly where we are meant to be, and for me, that place is Story Cottage.

I love all things glittery!

I'm Debra Matthews, but my friends call me Deb, so feel free to do the same!

For the past ten years, I've worked as a personal Chaos Coordinator (Activity Professional), where I've been able to combine my passion for singing with my love for making seniors laugh.

Growing up, my mother was an active missionary and community volunteer, and I often tagged along with her to various events. At an early age, I learned the importance of serving others and giving back. This led me to the senior care industry in 2015, after a long career in retail management. Following a corporate restructure, I decided to pursue opportunities where I could make a real difference in people's lives. This career change has not only enriched the lives of others but my own as well, perfectly echoing Mahatma Gandhi's sentiment, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

I bring a wealth of experience in building strong, positive relationships that lead to meaningful connections and achieve positive outcomes. What I truly cherish about working with seniors is the chance to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, hear their fascinating life stories, and, of course, bring laughter into their day!

Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, our two daughters, and our four grandchildren (including one furry, four-legged member!). I also value time with my large extended family and love watching the beautiful sunsets on the beaches of Michigan, and a love for ALL things, Happy!

Kristin has over 30 years of experience in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, with advanced degrees in Gerontology, Family Services, and Counseling. She has held leadership roles including Executive Director, Regional Sales Manager, Divisional Sales Manager, and VP of Sales and Marketing for several large companies. Kristin is also a recognized speaker on senior care topics, presenting throughout the Midwest on Alzheimer’s Disease, Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes, and Memory Care Programs.

She has received multiple awards, including the BGSU Gerontology Program Partnership Award and the Resident Director Best Practices Award, and has been recognized locally for her leadership in team development. Kristin is also President of the Indiana Kappa Delta Alumnae Association and actively consults with alumnae navigating senior care options for their loved ones.

Outside of work, Kristin and her husband, Dave, who have been married 33 years are dedicated Great Dane Rescue fosters, having fostered and placed nine dogs into loving homes. Kristin has a daughter, who just got married and works at Purdue.

I started my career with Story Cottage in 2021 as an Engagement Coordinator, which consisted of caregiver recruiting and resident engagement.  I love building relationships with all of our residents, but I transitioned to solely caregiver recruiting in March of 2023. I pride myself on finding top-tier caregiver candidates for our residents and their families.

I reside in Noblesville with my husband Patrick, two children, Erin and Sean, and our yellow lab, Nala. I enjoy practicing hot yoga, binge-watching Netflix, and spending time with my family at the beach.

Ashely completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Indiana University School of Nursing in 2008. Prior to joining KayBee at Story Cottage her nursing career has included the entire lifespan- from bringing babies into the world to those faced with the end stages of life. As a school nurse she learned the importance of connecting families to community resources and support. She resides in Westfield with her husband, Chris, and two sons Luke & Jack. She enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with her family.

Kylene completed her Associate of Science in Nursing at Purdue University in 2005, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at IUPUl in 2010. Prior to joining KayBee at Story Cottage her nursing career has included School Nursing and Neuroscience Nursing. She resides in Brownsburg with husband, BJ, and four children, Brenton, Kiersten, Kenzie & Bryler. Kylene enjoys watching her children play sports, reading, and vacationing to the beach with her family.

Kayleigh has been a nurse for over ten years and has a passion for caring for the elderly. Before joining KayBee at Story Cottage she worked in memory care management and long term care nursing. She lives in Arcadia with her husband JD and two children, Deryk & Makayla, they are also hosting a Moroccan foreign exchange student Farah. Kayleigh enjoys Michigan football, reading, kayaking and spending time with her family.

Chef Eric comes to Story Cottage with over 25 years of service in the culinary industry, and will serve as the chef for both Williams Creek and Meridian Hills. Eric earned a B.A. from The Chef’s Academy in 2011, and is owner of The Express Chef, LLC. In his career, Chef Eric contributed greatly to the success of the suite kitchens at Lucas Oil Stadium, was the lead banquet chef for Centerplate and the Indiana Convention Center. He has also served as Sous Chef at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat house with his specialties being banquets and special event catering. His favorite prayer is “Bless the Food Before Us, the Family Beside Us, and the Love Between Us.”