Staff
Our team is here to help you every step of the way.
At Chantilly Heights, we’ve put together a team of passionate healthcare professionals with years of experience. We are dedicated to the humanity, dignity and well-being of residents entrusted to our care, and our team acts more as a family than just coworkers.
Administrator
Brian Zurakowski
Brian worked in healthcare and Human Resources for many years before becoming the Administrator in 2023 with the opening of Chantilly Heights.
He began his career in the community as the Business Office Manager in 2019 before becoming Administrator.
Brian graduated from an upstate NY college in 2004.
He is excited to be in the role of Administrator and looks forward to maintaining and creating relationships with the families of our community.
Director of Personal Care
Robin Walker Shanks
Robin Walker-Shanks has four decades of nursing experience. Most of her career was in Public Health, specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. After retiring from the Health Department, she began her journey in Long Term Care Nursing. Having an affinity for the Elder population, she has spent the last twenty years working in various clinical management positions within Assisted Living and Memory Impaired facilities. She is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She has been at Chantilly Heights since March 2023 as the Director of Personal Care.
Business Office Manager
Shanetta Tunnell
Shanetta Tunnell, a native Washingtonian, has worked in healthcare for over 20 years. She spent a great deal of time in hospitals as a child. Everyone from the Doctors and Nurses to the Registrars and Receptionists were very kind. Her experience gave her the inspiration to help others. She became a C.N.A in the year 2000. She increased her responsibilities in 2018 as a Staffing Coordinator and in 2019 became a Registered Medication Aide. Her meticulous work habits led her to her current role as Business Office Manager. She is a wife and mother to 2 wonderful children. She enjoys cooking, shopping and loves to travel.
Recreation Director
Susan Kane
Susan has worked in the senior living industry since 2004. She has an extensive knowledge of programming, and working with seniors is her passion. She is Activity Director Certified with The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals. Her specialty is encouraging and motivating residents to engage in daily activities and develop deep, meaningful connections.
Culinary Director
Wendell McPherson
Chef Wendell McPherson was born and raised in Guyana, South America (formerly known as British Guiana). Due to its similar culture, it is often considered part of the Caribbean. Although he grew up on the East Coast of Guyana, his passion for cooking and baking stemmed from his childhood in a household where his mother was a professional caterer. Inspired by his mother, Chef McPherson eagerly delved into something he had never imagined forty-seven-plus years ago. He fondly remembers his mother saying, “When you are cooking, do it from your heart.” He practices this daily.
Food preparation is hard work. Chef McPherson applies personal values to daily cooking by inventorying resources, planning activities for efficiency, working on daily goals, and giving his body the necessary rest to serve the Chantilly community fully.
Chef McPherson notes one thing about his Guyanese culture, “we have a remarkably diverse food pallet, stemming from our rich history of being ruled by the Dutch, Spaniards, and Great Britain, who brought Portuguese, Chinese, East Indians, and Africans to the Caribbean, along with our native Indians called “Amerindians.” He is pleased to bring much of this rich tradition and knowledge with him to the culinary kitchen at Chantilly Heights.
Maintenance Director
Luacretia Jackson
Luacretia “Cre” has over 20 years of experience working in healthcare. She began her career as an evening receptionist and was promoted within the organization from the receptionist to the recreation department. In December 2021, her work ethic and leadership skills received recognition, and she was promoted to the Lead Receptionist position. In addition, she was voted Employee of the Year in 2021.
As an integral part of the organization, she continued to learn and grow and soon became interested in the maintenance department. With her years of healthcare and management and her knowledge and dedication to our residents’ safety, comfort, and well-being, she now serves as Maintenance Director.