Steve Ellsweig
Jeff Arnold
Brian Bunnell
Aimee Desjardin
Steven Ellsweig received his Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Psychology From Clark University and Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Seton Hall University.
Steve began his career as a Counselor in a Vocational training program. He advanced through middle management and moved to be the director of vocational services at the Worcester Area Community Mental Health Center. From there, he was the Administrator of Highwatch, a unique program for traumatically brain injured young adults. Steve moved on to various settings, focusing on physical and cognitive rehabilitation program management.
In 2000, Mr. Ellsweig was hired as the Executive Director of Cadbury Commons. Serving 8 years, he moved to the corporate world, where he honed his Assisted Living management skills. Steve returned “home” to Cadbury in the summer of 2015.
Jeff Arnold began his career as a dishwasher for Northeastern University in the early 80’s. Since then, Jeff worked his way through the ranks at Northeastern from waiter to chef to Faculty Dining Room and Event Planning Manager, hosting events at Northeastern for notables including President Bill Clinton, Senator Ted Kennedy and President of the then Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, to name a few.
Jeff took a break from Northeastern to help care for his father who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. After learning about the disease through his own experience, Jeff found himself drawn to working with older adults.
Jeff has been Director of Dining Services at Cadbury Commons since 2010 and brings his culinary and planning skills to provide Cadbury a well-run dining room and delicious meals.
Brian Bunnell has served as our Director of Community Programs since 2013, having been promoted from his prior role as an Activities Specialist. Brian is a musician, holding degrees in Music Education and Trumpet Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, in Baltimore.
Brian takes great pride in the quality of engaging programs at Cadbury Commons. The Programs Department aims to approach all groups and interactions from an adult-centered perspective. He, with resident guidance, loves to present programs and activities that are genuinely stimulating, fun, and educational.
In his spare time, Brian performs with the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, and leads its operations as President of the Board of Directors.
Aimee Desjardin got her first chance to work with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia memory loss when she was only 13 years old, volunteering on Sunday afternoons at the Stamford Hospital Tandet Center nursing home in CT. Even at a very young age, the joy that came from making meaningful connections with seniors living with these neurodegenerative disorders had a lasting impact on her future.
During her college years, it became clear that psychology and the study of human behavior would be the path towards a career that would fulfill her needs of helping others through difficulties. Aimee began her career in Activities Programming in an Assisted Living neighborhood working with people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Since then, her passion & philosophy for creative memory care innovations has evolved and matured. Aimee utilizes many techniques and schools of thought in her care practices and believes in a person-centered approach. How she handles each challenge depends on the face of dementia and the individual behind the illness, and involves a carefully thought out and thoroughly discussed plan of action.
