Our Chicago Area Team brings a wealth of experience to the table.  More than half the Community Counselors in our area have 20 years of experience.  Combined we have over 125 years of experience serving host families and au pairs in the Chicago area!

Therese Porter ~ CHA cluster~ Chicago~ South, Hyde Park, South and West Loops, Wicker Park

Therese joined the team in 2013.  She is a life-long Chicago girl who loves sharing the City sights with her 4 children.  She has spent time living in Mexico and Central America and loves helping our Au Pairs acclimate to their new homes.

Sandee Plescia ~ CHF cluster – St. Charles, Batavia, Aurora, Bartlett, DeKalb areas

Sandee has worked as a Community Counselor since 1994 and as an Orientation Trainer since 1997.   When her children were younger she hosted au pairs from Sweden and Germany.

Kathy Kressner ~ CHG cluster~ northern Chicago suburbs in Lake and McHenry County

Kathy has been a counselor since 1994 and a life-long resident of the Chicago land area.  Kathy was introduced to the program through a family friend who had a positive experience as a host family.  She has been working ever since making sure that families and au pairs have the best possible experience.

Iris Sommer ~ CHH cluster~ Highland Park, Glencoe, Lake Forest, Linconshire and Riverwoods

Iris has been a community counselor in the north shore area for twenty years.  Born and raised in Chicago, loves being here and meeting new people all the time.

Ginny Costigan ~ CHL Cluster ~ Chicago – near north, Lincoln Park, north side of city

Ginny is a native Chicagoan who lives in Lincoln Park. She has been a counselor for over twenty years and enjoys supporting both host families and au pairs with their cultural exchange experience. She is amazed by the energy au pairs have. Ginny is also the Chicago Area Representative for APIA.

Theresa Rhea ~ CHM Cluster ~ Chicago – near north, Bucktown, north side of city

Theresa was born and raised in Chicago and now lives in Bucktown with her husband and children.  Theresa joined the team in 2014 and has loved the many new experiences the job has brought.  Theresa is excited to use her Social Work background to help provide the Au Pairs and families with a rewarding and positive experience.

Maria Gabryszewski ~ CHR cluster~ Naperville, Bolingbrook, and surrounding areas

Maria is a Chicago native who has lived in Naperville for over 20 years with her husband and two girls.  She was thrilled to be able to join Au Pair in America in 2005 because of her positive experiences both as an exchange student and host parent to international guests.

Carol Jungman ~ CHS Cluster ~ Near North Shore Suburbs (including Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka & Northfield)

Carol  has been an Au Pair in America community counselor since 2013, and has worked in the intercultural field for 20+ years.  She has enjoyed getting to know the families and au pairs in her cluster, and loves to see everyone’s sense of family expand.  She was a nanny in Greece for a summer during college, and lived and work in Finland and Israel as a young adult, so she can relate to the “spirit of the program.”

Click below to see a promotional video about Au Pair in America

http://aupairinamerica.com/video.asp?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=355&width=600