Dawn Ries

Owner

My name is Dawn Ries, and I am the Owner of Northeast WI Comfort Keepers.

As the owner of our in-home care agency, my heart is truly in helping others. I believe everyone deserves to feel respected, valued, safe, and cared for in the comfort of their own home. I chose this industry because I have a deep compassion for people and a genuine desire to make a difference in their lives. Caregiving is more than just a service we provide it is building trust, relationships, hope, and safety to our clients as if they are a part of own family. 

I feel it is a true gift to be welcomed into our clients’ homes. Being able to help people remain as independent as possible while providing safety, companionship, and support in a place where they feel most comfortable is something I am incredibly grateful for. 

I am not just a business owner. I have been married for over 20 years, and together we have three amazing boys. I am a local owner that stays very involved in the business, training, marketing, and community outreach events. Throughout my life, I have always loved helping others in any way I can. I have had the privilege of wearing many different hats throughout my career, and each experience has ultimately led me back to what matters most to me: family.

Your family and mine.

At some point in our lives, many of us will need some form of care or support for ourselves or someone we love. I am proud to be part of creating an environment where families feel heard, supported, respected, and cared for. I believe that strong communication, trust, compassion, and a high standard of care are the foundation of the relationships we build with every client and family we serve.

Thank you for trusting me and the entire team at Comfort Keepers to be a part of your family’s journey. It is a privilege we never take for granted

Shelby Tennessen

Director of Operations

With more than 30 years of experience in senior care, Shelby Tennessen has dedicated her career to helping older adults live safely, comfortably, and with dignity in the place they call home. Having worked in virtually every aspect and role within the senior care industry, Shelby brings a unique perspective and deep understanding of what truly matters to clients, families, and caregivers.

For Shelby, senior care has always been about more than schedules and services — it is about people. It is about getting to know the person behind the care plan, listening to families, supporting caregivers, and being there when someone needs a little extra help or reassurance.

Throughout her career, Shelby has worked with countless clients, families, and care teams. These experiences have shaped her belief that the best care begins with compassion, trust, and treating every person as an individual. She understands that inviting someone into your home to provide care is a deeply personal decision, and she takes that responsibility seriously.

As Director of Operations at Comfort Keepers, Shelby brings her decades of experience and genuine passion for helping others to her role every day. She is committed to supporting a team that provides dependable care while creating the meaningful connections that can make such a difference in a client’s life.

Shelby considers it a privilege to be part of a profession that allows her to make a difference in the lives of older adults and their families. Her goal is simple: to help every client feel cared for, respected, heard, and valued — while giving families peace of mind knowing their loved one is in caring hands.

Trisha Ballschmieder

Client Care Coordinator

Trisha brings more than 10 years of experience in caregiving, operations, program coordination, and client advocacy. Her background includes managing residential care services, supporting individuals and families through community-based programs, and coordinating the many moving pieces that help quality care run smoothly.

Throughout her career, Trisha has developed a strong understanding of both the administrative and personal sides of caregiving. She enjoys building relationships with clients, families, and caregivers while helping ensure that communication, scheduling, and care needs are handled thoughtfully and efficiently.

Trisha believes quality care is about more than completing tasks—it is about helping people feel heard, respected, comfortable, and supported in their own homes. She especially values problem-solving, advocating for others, and helping families navigate care with greater confidence.

Veronica Alexander

Centralized Scheduler

Veronica Alexander is proud to be part of the Comfort Keepers team. She has a genuine passion for helping others and making a positive difference in their lives. In her office-support role, Veronica helps ensure that clients receive dependable, high-quality care by maintaining consistent schedules, promoting continuity of care, and communicating clearly and frequently with clients, families, and caregivers. She finds it rewarding to know that her work helps provide comfort, happiness, and peace of mind while supporting each client’s dignity and independence. Every day, Veronica strives to contribute to Comfort Keepers’ greater mission of Elevating the Human Spirit.