About Summit of Uptown

Ryan Jones

Executive Director

Ryan has enjoyed a career in health services, and has experience with project management. He holds a certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP), and has served in executive positions in different upscale communities. Serving others brings joy to his heart and he is excited to be a part of the Summit of Uptown family!

Marinela Busu, RN

Resident Care Director

Marinela holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and her experience working with older adults has led her to realize that she has found her true calling in her career. For her, working with seniors is meaningful, rewarding, and impactful. She believes that simple gestures such as a kind word, a smile, and showing compassion can enhance efficiency and inspire greater patience. Marinela firmly believes that everyone deserves respect, kindness, and reassurance, and she takes joy in providing these qualities in her work.

Dora Loya

Memory Care Director

Dora brings 25 years of nursing experience, holding a BSN from the University of Illinois and an MBA from DeVry University. Her career spans 15 years in hospital systems and a decade in management across private, outpatient care, and community health services. Notably, she received the Daisy Award during her tenure at Rush University Medical Center.

In her role as the memory care director, Dora is committed to providing exceptional care and enriching the lives of residents in our Evergreen Neighborhood. She understands the unique needs of those with Alzheimer's or dementia, where our neighborhood offers a thoughtful environment, ensuring warm, personalized, and compassionate care.

Driven by her passion for learning, Dora contemplates returning to school to become a nurse practitioner. Outside of work, she cherishes weekends spent with her children and husband, occasionally indulging in her love for reading and yoga.

Matt Pahnke

Engagement Director

Matt has a degree in elementary education and worked several years as a classroom teacher. After taking time off from the workforce to help raise his children, he decided he wanted to try something different. He quickly discovered that the creativity, planning, and organizational skills he developed as a teacher translated well for the engagement director role. His favorite part of his job is getting to see and speak with the residents.

Jacob Rock

Dining Services Director

Jacob followed his talent for cooking and made it into his career. A graduate of Kendall College Culinary School, Jacob gained great experience working in restaurants and upscale venues, but he found his best fit was in working with seniors. He truly enjoys sharing his culinary creations and engaging with the residents.

Konstantinos "Dino" Giolas

Maintenance Director

Dino has thirty-three years experience in maintenance and engineering. Dino started his maintenance career in 1988 working for a large senior living community located in Evanston, IL. Dino’s love for serving the community extends from senior living to being an active police officer for twenty years. Dino prides himself on being dependable and his life motto is “to get the job done and do it right”. Dino is not only known as “Mr. Fix it” but also as the community DJ volunteering his spinning skills and equipment for every community party/event.

Jacinta Johnson

Business Office Director

Jacinta joined the Summit of Uptown in 2021 after working in healthcare for many years. While working in social services, she attended college and earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration. After college, she left senior living and pursued a career in the legal, banking, and real estate industries. In 2007, she returned to her first love of healthcare, working as a social services designer, memory care director, and now as the business office director here at the Summit of Uptown. In her spare time, Jacinta loves spending time with family and friends, whether traveling or attending various events.

Remzija Velic

Housekeeping Manager

Remzija Velic has 25 years of Housekeeping experience in the hospitality industry.  She has worked for Hilton, Ritz Carlton, and had the privilege to work for one of the finest city clubs in the US, University Club of Chicago. Remzija's passion is to help others when ever opportunity arises and that is what makes her day - every day!  She is grateful to be a part of the Summit of Uptown family.