Meet Our Staff

Scott L. Swanson

President and CEO

Since 1986, Scott has served the senior housing industry in executive roles at several well-respected, non-profit communities, most recently The Danish Home of Chicago since 2011.

As president and CEO of The Danish Home, Scott’s key responsibilities are overseeing operations and implementing fundraising efforts. He is a native of Rockford, IL, graduate of the prestigious J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University (MBA), and a licensed nursing home administrator.

Although a veteran of senior housing, Scott is continually inspired by The Danish Home’s legacy of heritage, family bonds across the generations and well over a century of commitment to quality care for older adults. According to Scott, it is “the relationships with our residents and their families” that he enjoys most about working with The Danish Home community.

Debi Lathom

Residence Counselor

Debi is very excited to be working with the residents of The Danish Home. “I applied for this position because of my love for the senior community and am blessed that The Danish Home chose me to continue providing exceptional service for our residents and the community,” said Debi, who joined The Danish Home team in March of 2018.

A native of Winnetka, Debi earned an associate of applied science degree from MacCormac College in Elmhurst. Previously, she worked as a paralegal/legal assistant for several law firms and served as the paralegal for the City of Des Plaines and the Village of Northfield.

At The Danish Home, Debi is responsible for scheduling, coordinating and planning events, providing tours and admissions for new residents, and assisting the president/CEO.

Robin Decker

Director of Resident Services

Robin has been working in senior living for the past 33 years.

As director of resident services, Robin works to provide enjoyable and meaningful activities for residents, including games, parties, programs and community outings. “I try to meet the recreational needs of each individual person residing at The Danish Home,” said Robin, who also assists with marketing and admissions.

Her experience at The Danish Home, she said, is “wonderful” because she has learned so much about intergenerational relationships, seniors’ lives and the challenges they face.

Robin’s membership in The Danish Home Women’s Auxiliary and The Danish Sisterhood demonstrates her interest in Danish heritage. A native of Chicago, Robin is a certified nursing assistant, dementia practitioner, certified director of activities, certified dementia/Alzheimer’s unit director and is certified in occupational and physical rehabilitation.

Linda Steffensen

Development Manager of The Danish Home Foundation

Linda joined The Danish Home Foundation staff in 2019, but her connections to The Danish Home of Chicago and the national Danish-American community run long and deep. “I remember coming to The Danish Home as a young girl and folk dancing on The Danish Home patio with the Danish American Athletic Club,” said Linda, who served on our parent board, The Danish Association, for several years and continues her service on the Women’s Auxiliary board of directors.

The Chicago-born daughter of influential Danish immigrants Chris and Elsa Steffensen, Linda is also editor of the oldest Danish-American newspaper in North America, The Danish Pioneer, and U.S. corporate secretary for Rebild National Park Society.

In addition, the Roosevelt University alumna with a master’s degree in marketing communications is a longtime member of no less than eight prominent Danish-American organizations and currently serves as secretary for some of them.

Linda has extended family in Denmark and has visited her homeland 25 times. She and her family are longtime supporters of The Danish Home of Chicago. “The Danish Home is like a second home to me, and I hope to retire here one day.”

Deborah Geismar

Medical Director

Trained at Harvard Medical School in Boston and certified in family medicine, New Jersey-bred Dr. Geismar offers superior care to residents of The Danish Home, where she has served for over 20 years. In addition to supervising the medical care and treatment of all residents of The Danish Home, Dr. Geismar also assists the nursing staff in assuring them a safe and comfortable environment.

“The residents are wonderful and so full of stories and life experiences!” says Dr. Geismar. She and The Danish Home nursing staff, whom she credits for their great dedication and care, make an outstanding team of health care professionals.

Carole Edwards

Chaplain

Serving us as chaplain since August 2018, Carole was born, raised and educated in Chicago. She attended Chicago public schools, earned a B.A. from North Park University in psychology, biology and education, and an MBA from Loyola University.

After 30 years in the corporate world, managing large departments in customer service and operations management, Carole left her career in 2007 to follow God’s call to rostered ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She is currently under Letter of Call serving her home congregation, Edison Park Lutheran Church, as deacon and business administrator.

Carole became familiar with The Danish Home while visiting church members who were residents here. Several church members are also long-time supporters of The Danish Home.

“I especially enjoyed filling in for Pastor Sparby when he was chaplain, as it allowed me an opportunity to get to know the residents and staff. I was humbled and honored when The Danish Home asked me to serve here,” said Carole. “The staff and residents are like family and have welcomed me with open arms. Thank you for this opportunity; I look forward to walking this journey of life with you. Thanks be to God!”

Sean Anthony Rodriguez

Director of Maintenance

Sean Anthony’s responsibilities at The Danish Home go far beyond routine maintenance into ensuring the safety of all residents and staff on a daily basis. His key role of preventive maintenance includes making sure that all mechanical equipment is functioning properly and within manufacturers’ guidelines.

Sean Anthony also interfaces regularly with other departments at The Danish Home, tending to electrical and plumbing repairs in the kitchen and nursing areas, upkeep of floors and wall coverings in residents’ rooms as well as hallways and common areas, and seasonal safeguards, such as snow and ice removal.

A native of the Philippines, Sean Anthony has been employed with The Danish Home since 2000 and previously served two other senior housing communities as part of their kitchen personnel. Sean Anthony most enjoys the fulfillment he feels after each day’s work at The Danish Home. “Gaining the respect of my co-workers and earning the trust of the residents makes me a happy person, because I have gained friends and family at my workplace,” he said.