Meet The Team
Breanna Bruce, LALD
Executive Director
Breanna Bruce is an accomplished professional with over 13 years of experience in the senior community. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biomedicine with a minor in Chemistry and pre-professional training in Veterinary Medicine. Her diverse background includes work in nursing homes, hospice, homecare, hospitals, discharge planning, community education, and bereavement counseling. Her passion for geriatric healthcare led her to become a Licensed Assisted Living Director, where she takes great pride in ensuring the happiness and highest level of care for residents and their families. Outside of work, Breanna enjoys spending quality time with her golden retriever Bubba and indulging in hobbies like cooking and socializing with friends.
Youa Xiong, RN
Director of Nursing
Youa Xiong brings over nine years of dedicated experience in senior care, with a passion for creating a home-like environment that promotes comfort and dignity. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Herzing University and has worked in both home care and assisted living settings. Youa values the close relationships she forms with residents and their families, always advocating for their well-being. In her free time, Youa enjoys exploring Minnesota’s scenic landscapes with her six children and traveling to different states with her husband.
Brian Glonek
Director of Sales & Marketing
Brian Glonek is the Director of Sales for Talamore Woodbury, bringing over a decade of experience in serving seniors and their families. He has a unique perspective, having experienced the challenges of transitioning loved ones into senior living personally. Brian's empathetic approach and understanding nature make him an excellent resource for seniors and families navigating this process for the first time. Outside of work, Brian enjoys staying active outdoors, attending concerts, exploring the Twin Cities, and spending quality time with his family and friends.
Lucille “Lucy” Coffel
Life Enrichment Director
Lucy brings a background in Marketing Communications and a passion for people to her role as Life Enrichment Director at Talamore. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, she combines her experience in customer service and event coordination with a strong sense of purpose and creativity. Lucy is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that bring joy, connection, and a sense of belonging to residents each day.
Her favorite part of the job is getting to know residents personally and designing programs that reflect their interests and stories. Outside of work, Lucy enjoys cooking, baking, staying active, and spending time with her family and friends—especially as a proud triplet!
Heather Williamson
Business Office Manager
With an impressive 15-year tenure in the healthcare industry, Heather Williamson's dedication and expertise shine through her role as the Business Office Manager at Talamore Senior Living. She holds dual degrees - an MBA and an MHA - which equip her with a unique blend of managerial acumen and healthcare expertise. Heather's commitment to family values is evident as she balances her professional responsibilities with cherishing time with her three children.
Lynell Williams
Resident Services Director
With over 15 years of experience in the Health Care field, Lynell Williams is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors. She holds certificates in Medical Assistant, Law Enforcement, Pharmacy Tech, Nursing Assistant, and ALDIR, with ongoing goals to complete LALD. Lynell's passion for senior care is evident in her work across various health care settings, including Assisted Living, Memory Care, Hospice, Heart and Vascular Care. In her free time, Lynell cherishes moments with her family, enjoys shopping, movies, cooking, games, spontaneous road trips, and quality time with her two grandchildren.
Tamara Wanstall
Clinical Assistant
With over 24 years of experience in long-term care, Tamara Wanstall brings deep compassion and dedication to her role as Clinical Assistant at Talamore Senior Living. Her passion for working with seniors began when she cared for her grandmother during her battle with diabetes—a personal experience that shaped her commitment to supporting others in similar situations.
Tamara became a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2001 and has since built a career centered around person-centered care. She spent 12 years at Parkinson’s Specialty Care, where she specialized in the TULIPS model of care, ensuring every patient received individualized support. She later served as Customer Care Manager for a home care agency where she played a key role in helping veterans access home care services. Tamara has also worked closely with the Veterans Administration, streamlining processes to improve outcomes for clients and their families.
Outside of work, Tamara is a proud and active mom. Her sons play hockey, her daughter plays volleyball, and her eldest daughter is beginning her first year at the University of Minnesota on a full-ride scholarship. Whether at home or on the job, Tamara’s life is guided by a deep passion for helping others.
Mark Samarasinghe
Dining Services Director
Mark has over 15 years of experience in the culinary world, specializing in fine dining and seafood. After earning a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University, he held key roles in the restaurant industry, including Executive Sous Chef at Oceanaire Seafood Room. In 2021, Mark transitioned to senior living, where he found his passion for creating exceptional dining experiences for residents. Since joining Talamore Woodbury as Dining Services Director, Mark has elevated the community’s culinary program. In his free time, Mark enjoys golfing, coaching his son’s Little League team, and spending time with his wife, Kristi.
Shayla Yang, MSN, RN
Associate Director of Nursing
With over 17 years of nursing experience, including eight years in a neuroscience intensive care unit, Shayla brings a wealth of knowledge in dementia care and geriatric health. Her deep-rooted cultural belief in caring for elders has driven her passion for working with seniors. Shayla holds a Bachelor of Nursing from Gardner-Webb University and a Master’s in Family Nurse Practice from Frontier Nursing University. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting and spending time with her beloved Maltese, Pixie.
Ryan O’Brien
Sales & Relationship Development Manager
Ryan’s passion for senior care began in 2020 when he started as Director of Activities at an assisted living community. His dedication to enhancing the lives of seniors quickly led him to transition into a sales role, where he takes pride in helping families navigate the senior living process. Ryan is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of residents and their families. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys watching movies and planning vacation getaways with his girlfriend and friend.
Heather Honsey
Life Enrichment Assistant
Heather’s career in senior living was inspired by her childhood visits to a local skilled care community, where she saw firsthand the joy that activities brought to the residents. With over 25 years of experience and a degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Heather is committed to providing engaging and meaningful activities for seniors. She is passionate about ensuring residents live their best lives every day. In her spare time, Heather enjoys camping, outdoor adventures, attending concerts, and spending time with friends and family.
Meet The Team
Breanna Bruce, LALD
Executive Director
Breanna Bruce is an accomplished professional with over 13 years of experience in the senior community. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biomedicine with a minor in Chemistry and pre-professional training in Veterinary Medicine. Her diverse background includes work in nursing homes, hospice, homecare, hospitals, discharge planning, community education, and bereavement counseling. Her passion for geriatric healthcare led her to become a Licensed Assisted Living Director, where she takes great pride in ensuring the happiness and highest level of care for residents and their families. Outside of work, Breanna enjoys spending quality time with her golden retriever Bubba and indulging in hobbies like cooking and socializing with friends.
Youa Xiong, RN
Director of Nursing
Youa Xiong brings over nine years of dedicated experience in senior care, with a passion for creating a home-like environment that promotes comfort and dignity. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Herzing University and has worked in both home care and assisted living settings. Youa values the close relationships she forms with residents and their families, always advocating for their well-being. In her free time, Youa enjoys exploring Minnesota’s scenic landscapes with her six children and traveling to different states with her husband.
Brian Glonek
Director of Sales & Marketing
Brian Glonek is the Director of Sales for Talamore Woodbury, bringing over a decade of experience in serving seniors and their families. He has a unique perspective, having experienced the challenges of transitioning loved ones into senior living personally. Brian's empathetic approach and understanding nature make him an excellent resource for seniors and families navigating this process for the first time. Outside of work, Brian enjoys staying active outdoors, attending concerts, exploring the Twin Cities, and spending quality time with his family and friends.
Lucille “Lucy” Coffel
Life Enrichment Director
Lucy brings a background in Marketing Communications and a passion for people to her role as Life Enrichment Director at Talamore. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, she combines her experience in customer service and event coordination with a strong sense of purpose and creativity. Lucy is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that bring joy, connection, and a sense of belonging to residents each day.
Her favorite part of the job is getting to know residents personally and designing programs that reflect their interests and stories. Outside of work, Lucy enjoys cooking, baking, staying active, and spending time with her family and friends—especially as a proud triplet!
Heather Williamson
Business Office Manager
With an impressive 15-year tenure in the healthcare industry, Heather Williamson's dedication and expertise shine through her role as the Business Office Manager at Talamore Senior Living. She holds dual degrees - an MBA and an MHA - which equip her with a unique blend of managerial acumen and healthcare expertise. Heather's commitment to family values is evident as she balances her professional responsibilities with cherishing time with her three children.
Lynell Williams
Resident Services Director
With over 15 years of experience in the Health Care field, Lynell Williams is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors. She holds certificates in Medical Assistant, Law Enforcement, Pharmacy Tech, Nursing Assistant, and ALDIR, with ongoing goals to complete LALD. Lynell's passion for senior care is evident in her work across various health care settings, including Assisted Living, Memory Care, Hospice, Heart and Vascular Care. In her free time, Lynell cherishes moments with her family, enjoys shopping, movies, cooking, games, spontaneous road trips, and quality time with her two grandchildren.
Mark Samarasinghe
Dining Services Director
Mark has over 15 years of experience in the culinary world, specializing in fine dining and seafood. After earning a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University, he held key roles in the restaurant industry, including Executive Sous Chef at Oceanaire Seafood Room. In 2021, Mark transitioned to senior living, where he found his passion for creating exceptional dining experiences for residents. Since joining Talamore Woodbury as Dining Services Director, Mark has elevated the community’s culinary program. In his free time, Mark enjoys golfing, coaching his son’s Little League team, and spending time with his wife, Kristi.
Mark Samarasinghe
Dining Services Director
Mark has over 15 years of experience in the culinary world, specializing in fine dining and seafood. After earning a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University, he held key roles in the restaurant industry, including Executive Sous Chef at Oceanaire Seafood Room. In 2021, Mark transitioned to senior living, where he found his passion for creating exceptional dining experiences for residents. Since joining Talamore Woodbury as Dining Services Director, Mark has elevated the community’s culinary program. In his free time, Mark enjoys golfing, coaching his son’s Little League team, and spending time with his wife, Kristi.
Shayla Yang, MSN, RN
Associate Director of Nursing
With over 17 years of nursing experience, including eight years in a neuroscience intensive care unit, Shayla brings a wealth of knowledge in dementia care and geriatric health. Her deep-rooted cultural belief in caring for elders has driven her passion for working with seniors. Shayla holds a Bachelor of Nursing from Gardner-Webb University and a Master’s in Family Nurse Practice from Frontier Nursing University. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting and spending time with her beloved Maltese, Pixie.
Ryan O’Brien
Sales & Relationship Development Manager
Ryan’s passion for senior care began in 2020 when he started as Director of Activities at an assisted living community. His dedication to enhancing the lives of seniors quickly led him to transition into a sales role, where he takes pride in helping families navigate the senior living process. Ryan is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of residents and their families. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys watching movies and planning vacation getaways with his girlfriend and friend.
Heather Honsey
Life Enrichment Assistant
Heather’s career in senior living was inspired by her childhood visits to a local skilled care community, where she saw firsthand the joy that activities brought to the residents. With over 25 years of experience and a degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Heather is committed to providing engaging and meaningful activities for seniors. She is passionate about ensuring residents live their best lives every day. In her spare time, Heather enjoys camping, outdoor adventures, attending concerts, and spending time with friends and family.
Chace McCurdy
Maintenance Director
With over 17 years of experience, including 13 in healthcare settings, Chace McCurdy brings a wealth of knowledge to his role as Maintenance Director. His passion for building relationships with seniors is evident in his love for hearing their stories and ensuring a safe, well-maintained environment. Chace is dedicated to upholding state regulations and fostering a strong sense of community. Outside of work, Chace enjoys hockey, fishing, hunting, boxing, motorcycle riding, and spending quality time with his two children.